Lawmakers have adopted a recommendation by the House’s select committee, directing the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi to resign with immediate effect on account of abuse of office.

The select committee, chaired by Mbarara South Division Member of Parliament, Hon. Mwine Mpaka investigated the alleged mismanagement of the National Social Security Fund.

The select committee, chaired by Mbarara South Division Member of Parliament, Hon. Mwine Mpaka was tasked by the speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among to investigate the alleged mismanagement of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

The committee established that the minister’s actions in directing Shs6 billion to be availed to her ministry were irregular. 

The report, presented during a plenary sitting on Wednesday, 01 March 2023 added that President Museveni should take a keen interest in the conduct of the minister.

The report was adopted on Thursday, 09 March 2023 during a plenary sitting chaired by Speaker, Anita Among and the MPs concluded that the minister’s actions contravened the NSSF Act.

Hon. Aisha Kabanda Woman MP for Butambala District wondered how the minister was going to account for the Shs6 billion and yet according to the NSSF Act, she supervises the fund.

Other lawmakers said that Parliament’s task is to prove beyond a reasonable doubt if the minister was right or wrong to request the money while other lawmakers told their counterparts to make a decision based on the Public Finance Management Act which stipulates budget initiation and implementation.

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga said that the minister does not have the power to appropriate funds and that NSSF funds are for private people who are saving their little money for a rainy day.

Amongi however, said that she cannot resign based on the falsehood in the report and she maintained that the request of Shs6 billion was within the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Act.

Hon. Amongi explained that her letter directing the appropriation of Shs6 billion was an exercise of ministerial power under Section 29 of the NSSF Act which gives her power to amend the budget.

However, the other MPs clarified those who are convicted for miss using NSSF funds should avail their passports to the police.

Mwine Mpaka said that every recommendation in the report is backed by evidence. MPs further agreed that the NSSF Board should be dissolved as recommended by the committee.

The House further adopted a recommendation that 24 board members who illegally received the 10 percent contribution from NSSF should refund the money within seven working days after the adoption of the report or face prosecution.