By Watchdog reporter
Reports that the National Social Security Fund board had declined to renew the contract of Ms Geraldine Ssali the incorruptible deputy of the organization’s managing director surprised few people.
This website today examines reasons why Mr Patrick Byabakama Kaberenge led board didn’t renew Ms Ssali’s three year contract but gave Managing Director Richard Byarugaba five full years at the Fund’s top.
Mr Kaberenge was cited in Daily Monitor on Friday as having fired Geraldine on grounds that she did not impress the board in her performance. Observers following developments at the Fund say it would be a surprise if Kaberenge and Byarugaba would credit Ms Ssali for any performance as she has been an obstacle in their plans.
It’s understood that Ms Ssali has been having a rocky relationship with her bosses as she always preferred to follow the law and procedures to the letter. Her work methods Led to the board attempting to throw her out in 2016 which forced her to go to court.
President Museveni having received a briefing at the Fund, ordered her reinstatement. However the Finance minister Matia Kasaija who is part of the Kaberenge-Byarugaba axis demanded that she withdraws the case from court before she’s allowed back. Ssali didn’t accept. She went ahead and won sh250 million.
Since Ssali had outmaneuvered her bosses, they waited for her contract to expire. The opportune time has arrived as in December this year, Ssali’s contract is running out. And this time round the unforgiving board was in time to recommend to the minister their plans for next year, 2018 including the long awaited day to form the dream team to manage Fund. And Geraldine was not part of that dream.
The other reason is the mega Lubowa housing estate whose grounds were broken recently.
The multi billion project is one to watch owing to the multi million deals involved. The project is expected to take five years and for that reason, Mr Byarugaba, has asked for five years on his contract. And nosy Geraldine should not be an obstacle in anyway.
The board has gone ahead to grant the 57 year old Byarugaba the five years despite the fact that in three years’ time, the MD will be unqualified to work for the NSSF while strictly requires its workers to retire by the age of 60. Byarugaba will be 62 by the time the proposed contract expires.
However, Mr Byarugaba wants his legacy written on the Lubowa project. However, his backers also wants only his hands on the project.
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