Amongi two weeks to resign

The National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) has demanded the resignation of Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), Hon Betty Among for abuse of office.

Among is on the spot for demanding funds worth six billion shillings from the Managing Director (MD) of National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Richard Byarugaba and later demanding his resignation when he declined to release money.

Usher Wilson Owere, the Chairman NOTU says the minister in July 2021, Amongi wrote a letter to Byarugaba demanding that worker’s money is released to her.

“When Byarugaba said no and alerted the Ministry of Finance, they held a meeting that resolved not to release money. After that meeting, she wrote a letter to Byarugaba to resign. When I learnt of that I met and informed her it cant happen because his contract ends in December, so she abandoned the matter.” he said.

Owere has given the Minister an ultimatum of two weeks to resign or face protests from workers over mismanagement of the body and funds.

Amongi two weeks to resign

During a press briefing on Thursday at his offices in Mulago, Owere explained that Among remains hell bent on getting the funds in an improper manner despite a reminder from him in October 2022, not to proceed with the matter. He says Among has now influenced the acting MD NSSF Patrick Ayota to amend their budget to include and approve her demand of ugx 6bn.

Owere claims that minister is behind a foiled plot to throw him off the NOTU leadership and plant her own just like she compelled Byarugaba to resign.

“But why worker’s money? because this money is meant to do programs at the Ministry, if she wants money, let her go to the consolidated fund or parliament,” he says

He has requested the President to institute a select committee to investigate the scandals of minister Amongi in relation to NSSF matters, terminate her services and has asked Parliament of Uganda to table a censure motion against the minister to save workers money.

Compiled by Rashidah Nakaayi