IGG clears top bosses at NSSF of fraud

By Raymond Mujuni

KAMPALA - The Inspector General of Government (IGG) has cleared most National Social Security Fund (NSSF) top managers of fraud and corruption.

The IGG, however, found some irregularities in the way some deals and funds were handled. The IGG, Irene Mulyagonja, released the report on Monday. 

The report is a result of an eleven-month investigation by the IGG into a complaint forwarded by whistleblowers under the tag ‘Concerned Citizens’.

The whistleblowers alleged abuse of office and massive corruption by the managing director, Richard Byarugaba, his deputy Geraldine Ssali Busuulwa, board chairman Ivan Kyayonka and company secretary David Nambale.

In her report, the IGG pins the company secretary, David Nambale, of ‘not living up to the NSSF staff handbook’ when he incurred a telephone bill of sh8m in a month.

Deputy managing director Geraldine Busuulwa is exonerated from the allegations that she influenced payment of conference attendance allowances to her of sh5m.

The IGG said she had no formal way of influencing the board and that even when she attended two days of the conference instead of the requisite five, she had a valid reason to stay away.

Byarugaba is pinned for neglecting professional advice in the disposal of land at Namirembe to Malibu Holdings Ltd, which the fund sold at sh650m.

While the price could have been higher, NSSF settled for the amount without verification of whether the land had an access road or not which would have increased its value. 

The IGG wants Nambale to refund sh1.5m that he spent on airtime to his spouse while on official duty to the fund. She also calls for the ministry to reprimand the Byarugaba and impose sanctions on him for neglect of duty. 

The report comes a few months into the search of a new substantive managing director for the fund after Byarugaba’s contract ran out. 

FULL STORY IN WEDNESDAY NEWVISION page 18

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IGG report on allegations of corruption and fraud in NSSF - UGANDA by The New Vision