By Spy Uganda
For a couple of weeks now, Minister of Gender, Labour & Social Dev’t Hon. Betty Amongi Akena has been in battles with Richard Byarugaba the Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) accusing him of mismanaging the workers’ funds.
These battles started after Byarugaba’s contract expired at the end of November 2022. It was earlier reported that NSSF Board had endorsed Byarugaba’s re-appointment for another five-year term.
On the basis of the endorsement and a presidential directive for the same, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja asked line Minister, Betty Amongi to proceed with the appointment however, the minister protested the move and instead called for an investigation into the former MD’s conduct while at the fund, accusing him of abuse of office and mismanagement of the entity’s investments, among other issues.
In a letter to Byarugaba seen by this site, Among accuses Byarugaba of involving himself in a couple of corruption and bribery scandals among them including, an alleged UGX 3 billion that was paid by CATIC construction as a kickback for construction to built the Mbuya CIDATEL apartments.
”This money was paid to both Richard and the head of procurement called Mugabi Gerald. The head of procurement used his share to build a hotel in Kagadi called (Hotel Seyaya Courts),” claims Among adding,” It’s alleged that during the purchase of MTN and quality Chemicals shares by NSSF, there was a kickback that was paid to Richard and the investment team. This was handled through a lawyer whose name shall be availed in confidence to H.E. only. (The whistleblower is available).”
Among also alleges that in 2012, the office of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) made investigations and instructed that Richard Byarugaba should refund some money to the Fund after it was discovered that he caused financial loss to the Fund by selling a plot that was owned by NSSF at Bakuli at a value less than the value the Fund paid to buy it.
”It is alleged that during the sale of a Plot in Mbarara that belonged to the Fund, there was an exchange of money after the plot was sold at less than the market value and the difference was given to Richard and the Head of Procurement,” Among further accuses Byarugaba.
She adds, ”Richard used a company called Symbion headed by a Kenyan called (Pius) to redesign his house in Mbuya in exchange for business. The company is lined up for supervision for a contract for the proposed development of the Yusuf Lule Road Plot. That is why he wanted to defy H.E. the President’s directive to give the contract to SMS contractors.”
Meanwhile, a couple of reports on there another hand pin Among of conniving with Sam Lyomoki, a former Member of Parliament representing workers, in trying to ‘smuggle’ out over Ugx1bn from NSSF, a deal that Byarugaba blocked. It’s said that this annoyed Lyomoki and Among hence launching a ‘deadly’ fight against him.
