By Frank Kamuntu
Former National Social Security Fund (NSSF) boss, Richard Byarugaba has been directed to pay Ugx5billion with his colleague, the NSSF Director Finance Stephen Mwanje.
According to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) Betty Kamya, the two irregularly authorized payment of Ugx 4.4Bn to a member of staff who exited under early retirement. This was revealed in Kamya’s report on NSSF’s corruption and mismanagement scandal.
The same report revealed that Byarugaba engineered resignation of two board members, a move that caused the NSSF to lose over Ugx 600M.
”The two NSSF officials should refund the said money or face prosecution, though only two out of 25 accounts investigated by the Inspectorate implicated Byarugaba,” reads Kamya’s report adding, ”Despite all this, Byarugaba is credited for registering tremendous growth during his tenure at the NSSF.”
Kamya in her report further says, ”We do not recommend prosecution, but we recommend that he refunds the money. And if he does not, then he will be prosecuted. Incidentally, in the main report, we have also recommended some people whom we shall refer to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for prosecution.”
Byarugaba’s woes started after Amongi wrote a letter questioning his reappointment, following expiry of his contract in November 2022.
The NSSF Board approved Byarugaba’s reappointment for another five year term and consequently, Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja asked Amongi to implement the Board’s decision.
Amongi instead called for an investigation into the conduct of Byarugaba, accusing him of abuse of office and mismanagement of investments.
