By Our Reporters.
The power struggle within the Central Organization of Free Trade Unions (COFTU) took a dramatic twist on March 4, 2023 when Central Executive Council (CEC) passed a vote of no confidence in longest – serving Secretary General Hon. Dr Sam Lyomoki.
Latest developments in COFTU came after two antagonistic parties, one led by Dr Lyomoki and the other led by Chairman General Mr Milton Turyareeba, have been fighting over supremacy in the labour federation.
COFTU affiliates from nine Labour Unions signed a petition on February 10, 2023 demanding a CEC meeting to be convened within two weeks to deliberate on issues of abuse of office by Dr Lyomoki and his two deputies Ms Peninah Tukamwesiga and Mr John Oketcho Siel.
So when affiliates arrived for the March 4, 2023 CEC at Twin Tower hotel there were attempts by Dr Lyomoki popularly known as “ God’s Minister for Workers”, to block the meeting.
Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) men were deployed to reinforce the Uganda Police force as the meeting progressed with discussions on pertinent issues prevailing at the labour federation.
COFTU Chairman General Mr Milton Turyareeba told the CEC members that they convened to devise means and ways of saving the once respected Labour federation which had been turned into personal property by Hon. Dr Lyomoki.
He said the former Workers Member of Parliament has mismanaged COFTU, destroyed internal democracy, accountability and generally governance structures, as he fleeces workers’ money with impunity.
“ Hon Lyomoki is a menace and liability to COFTU after he destroyed governance structures and is fleecing affiliates money,” he said.
Mr Turyareeba said Dr Lyomoki and his deputies Ms Peninah Tukamwesiga and John Oketcho have mismanaged COFTU and it was a high time that they got relieved of their duties .
Artisan Union General Secretary Counsel Anthony Wanyama said COFTU’s image was tainted by Dr Lyomoki when he schemed to benefit from dubious National Social Security Funds (NSSF) Memorandum of Understanding .(MoU) for Ushs 1 billion.
He said the final report of Parliament Select Committee on NSSF shows COFTU received over Ushs 600 million from the fund which the labour centre did not receive but was pocketed by the Secretary General.
“NSSF shows COFTU received over Ushs 600 million from the fund which the labour centre did not receive but was pocketed by the Secretary General,” he said..
COFTU CEC members that include Chairpersons, General Secretaries, National Treasurers and Women leaders were enraged that their Secretary General has been at the centre of fleecing workers savings at NSSF.
There was misrepresentation and falsehoods about the leadership of COFTU where the Secretary General without authority of the CEC entered into Memorandum of understanding with NSSF and obtained money totaling Ushs 100m from anticipated Ushs 1billion for unknown activities, and diverted money to personal use.
NSSF Probe Committee report states that Dr Lyomoki and Ms Peninnah Tukamwesiga illegally nominated by themselves for appointment on NSSF board. Parliament upheld recommendation of the committee that the Minister for Labour should write to COFTU to recall and legitimately nominate two other members for appointment on NSSF Board
Members resolved that the two NSSF board members are recalled and they would convene another CEC meeting soon purposely to select COFTU representatives on the NSSF board.
Trade unionists were irked by the fact that COFTU and sister NOTU received jointly a total of Ushs 806,525, 000/- from NSSF Chief Financial Officer Mr Stevens H. Mwanje but the money cannot be traced.
Trade union leaders reported that former COFTU Secretary General (Dr Lyomoki) received Ushs 100m from NSSF under dubious circumstances, withdrew the money and vanished in thin air. The former legislator returned to public eye when NSSF Probe Committee was quizzing him over the manner in which he obtained money irregularly from NSSF.
CEC members noted that their labour centre used to boost of 23 affiliates but 13 Labour unions left and joined NOTU after Dr Lyomoki had turned COFTU into his household property.
At the end of the day members unanimously voted out Dr Lyomoki and replaced him with Counsel Anthony Wanyama as Secretary General in acting capacity. Mr Robert Keno was elected First Deputy Secretary General while Ms Harriet Nandudu is Second Deputy Secretary General. Mr Joseph Mbabazi, who has been Treasurer General retained his position.
Mr Milton Turyareeba, who remains Chairman General told the Workers Eye that he is happy with members adding that the task ahead of them now is to revamp COFTU into a united, vibrant, dynamic and progressive workers’ federation.
He said:” We are going to rejuvenate the labour centre and even attract back our 13 affiliates who defected to NOTU.”
In a related development embattled former COFTU Secretary General Hon. Dr Sam Lyomoki said the CEC members are a bunch of non – members and masqaraders .
He said the CEC meeting was organized by certain anti – elements whose main motive is to create divisions and divert workers defenders from their “God given tasks.
“The so – called CEC meeting was organized and attended by non – members . Whatever they decided was illegal and not binding,” he said.
Dr Lyomoki later posted on whatsaapp Labour platforms calling on workers to disregard his ouster. He faces a credibility test and with just four labour unions on his side against seven affiliates could see him calling it a day ■
