Byarugaba, Ayota fight for NSSF top job escalates
Ayota swore a 38-paragraph affidavit drawn by Kampala Associated Advocates in which he defended the Gender, Labor, and Social Development Minister, Betty Amongi for appointing him as NSSF Managing director to replace Byarugaba, whose contract had expired.
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Managing Director, Patrick Ayota, has asked court to exercise its discretion in the interest of justice to favor the stability of the fund.
Ayota said the High Court Civil Division should guard against what he described as “unmeritorious cries of a single disgruntled person, whose recommendation was rejected based on sound and cogent reasons.
Ayota further stated that, “the 18 trillion shilling fund is at risk of misuse and stagnation and it would be against the public interest for the fund to go without strategic leadership”
He appeared before Judge, Musa Sekaana in relation to a suit filed by his predecessor, Richard Byarugaba who has been fighting to reclaim his job at NSSF.
Ayota swore a 38-paragraph affidavit drawn by Kampala Associated Advocates in which he defended the Gender, Labor, and Social Development Minister, Betty Amongi for appointing him as NSSF Managing director to replace Byarugaba, whose contract had expired.
In August , Byarugaba filed a petition against the Attorney General and Amongi, seeking court orders for Amongi to fulfill her statutory duties and complete his reappointment as the NSSF MD, as recommended by the Board and required by the law.
Byarugaba’s argument is based on procedural irregularities and the decision leading the Minister to the Board’s recommendation for his reappointment.
He said, “there was a violation of my legitimate expectations by not affording me a fair hearing. Patrick Ayota was not fit to head NSSF”
In the affidavit, Ayota said he has all the requisite competencies and work experience to serve as Managing Director of NSSF.
Ayota through his lawyers led by Elison Karuhanga, said “the interests of justice for the entire countrywide membership of the fund override any purported interest that Byarugaba has in a leadership position that he was found unfit to occupy”
Ayota noted that his appointment was done lawfully, is valid, and was not done to defeat the present application for judicial as alleged by Byarugaba.
“Now in the interest of justice, fairness, and equity, Byarugaba’s application should be dismissed with costs” he added.
Justice Ssekaana gave the parties in the casse a one week adjournment and directed that the parties file any other documents to enable the court to give further guidance on the case.
He has directed that the lawyers representing Byarugaba, the Attorney General, Amongi and Ayota to file their written submissions in the case and return on December 4th for mention.
