Letter to Betty Amongi

To
Hon Betty Amongi
Minister for Labour,Gender and Social Development.
Kampala.

23/12/22.

RE:CONDUCT OF DIRECTOR SAM LYAMOKI(SL)

Hon Minister Betty Amongi, I am respectfully writing this letter to you as the current Supervisor of the Board.

I wish to mention too,for the record, that the issues and concerns Iam sharing herebelow have already been reported to you by myself at least four times(verbally and in writing).

The above notwithstanding, I and my colleagues at the Board trust fully your sense of fairness,impartiality and prudent judgement.
We all believe you will advise us accordingly. In any case,its your duty to screen all nominated Board members for Character,Competence and Security risk..ie the Fit and Proper assessment. And thereafter assure the savers that the Fund has credible and effective oversight.

(1)OBSERVATION ONE: With the exception of SL,the current Board of NSSF is cohesive,focused and wonderfully resourceful..in spite of the apparent diversity in Constituency representation and perspective.
The Board consistently complies with the foundational principles and practices of governance…Constructive engagement,mutual trust and mutual respect.
Disagreement over a view point does not turn you into an outright target for vicious allegations!Members observe an admirable degree of decorum in and outside the Boardroom.

(2)OBSERVATION TWO:During the appearance yesterday before the Fountain of Honour..HE the President,SL remorselessly denigrated the entire Board as a bunch of bare faced liars…while he himself postured as the Cadre,the God fearing and the ONLY single source of incontrovertible truth.
I join my colleagues in stating clearly that we can’t take this endless public humiliation and embarrassment of this well grounded Board…with belligerent acts of impunity!

OBSERVATION THREE:A detailed review of all available records of our Boardroom sessions(including our Board whatsapp group conversations) will amply reveal that SL’s conduct and behavior falls far below the standard and acceptable etiquette and decorum of a Board member in an organisation with the sophistication and reputation of NSSF.

OBSERVATION FOUR:Hon Minister,SL happens to be the only Board member who, during, his first year of service on the Board has experienced the following:
..a petition from workers (addressed to you)seeking his removal from the Board.

…..the author of a much publicized minority report given to media contradicting your stated guidelines on the Mid term Access.Irrespective of the merits of the minority report,couldn’t this have been done in a more decent and self respecting way?

…underwent an investigation by a specially selected commitee of the Board in response to an allegation of unethical engagement with the Head of Investments.

…Members of the SACA committee walked out on SL in protest for his alleged misconduct as Chair of this committee.This time as Board Chairman, I prevailed on SL that regardless of what happens..the full Board was expecting a SACA report.

SL is currently undergoing a Police(CID) investigation for his alleged misconduct.

I was recently informed that there was actually another investigation going on in the IGG’s office.

OBSERVATION FIVE:Acts of misrepresentation..
SL claimed yesterday before HE and in the hearing of all Board members that he was speaking on behalf of all workers.A bare faced falsehood.That is why HE decided to engage individual workers’ representatives.
The same was done when SL unsuccessfully tried to block the Board’s meeting with the Minister on 25th November 2022…again claiming falsely that he was speaking on behalf of all workers’ representatives!And that whatever else happens…he had spoken to the Minister!!
Hon Minister,this was highly irregular and inflammatory..and one my colleagues pointed this out to you in our Board retreat at Serena last month!

OBSERVATION SIX:
Hon Minister Betty Amongi, as a student of Risk Velocity,I can state without fear of exaggeration or contradiction that if this evidence based misbehaviour,impunity and callous disregard for Board etiquette by SL is not addressed quickly and firmly…the Board will endlessly be trapped in a disastrous confluence of half blackmail,character assassination and criminal manipulation.
triggered off by circles of corrosive allegations.

I therefore join my colleagues in appealing to your exceptional degree of leadership and stewardship in advising and guiding us to rescue the Board from the downward spiral into
pathetic irrelevance…during this critical transition period of the Fund.

Hon Minister Betty Amongi, please feel free to engage or/and interview individual Board members of the Board about the above specific concerns.

Should my assessment and report to you of this situation be found irrational,inaccurate , i shall be fully responsible and accountable as Chairman

Thanking you again for your support and continued cooperation.

Yours faithfully.
Dr Peter Kimbowa.
Chairman…BOD.