NSSF official forced out of office

 

By Richard Wanambwa

In Summary

NSSF interdicted Biryahwaho over alleged refusal to avail documents for the Pension Towers procurement process amidst bribery claims..

Interdicted National Social Security Fund manager Ellis Biryahwaho, has been removed from office to pave way for investigations. Sources within the Fund that preferred anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, told this paper yesterday that the NSSF board had to intervene before Mr Biryahwaho could vacate.

NSSF Managing Director, Richard Byarugaba confirmed the development but said it was not the board’s intervention but rather a management decision to pave way for normal inquiries.

“It true he has left office but it wasn’t a board’s directive as alleged. Rather it was a normal management arrangement,” Mr Byarugaba said.

He also confirmed reports this paper had earlier on received that Mr Patrick Okema, Mr Biryahwaho’s deputy, had been tasked to care take the procurement and disposal unit of the Fund as both internal and external investigations from PPDA take off.

NSSF interdicted Biryahwaho over alleged refusal to avail documents for the Pension Towers procurement process amidst bribery claims in the bidding process.

The interdiction of the procurement boss comes a week after Chinese company; China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) was named the successful bidder for the construction of the second phase of the multi-billion Pension Towers in Nakasero.

According to the petition filed at the Public Procurement Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Authority (PPDA) before 10 day mandatory best evaluated bidder display, the petitioners describing themselves as whistle blowers allege that the fund illegitimately awarded the deal to the Chinese Company, a move that could disrupt the multi-billion construction deal.

NSSF Deputy Managing Director Geraldine Ssali wrote to Mr Biryahwaho on August 6, interdicting him as the fund carries out investigations into the procurement process but he had remained defiant.

In her letter, Ms Ssali laid claims of insubordination and withholding of information in disregard of the Fund policies and procedures. “Owing to the nature of the offence, you have been interdicted from office with immediate effect to enable full investigation and disciplinary procedures to take place. You will hand over fund property in your possession in accordance with code D of the fund’s staff handbook immediately and these instructions should be executed today (Monday) August 6, 2012,” she wrote.

PPDA executive director was noncommittal on what kind of investigations her office was carrying.