A bunch of street thugs can't dislodge me - Lyomoki

Dr. Sam Lyomoki. PHOTO/Meddie Musisi

The former Uganda Medical Workers Union (UMWA) General Secretary and onfederation of Free Trade Union (COFTU) head, Dr. Sam Lyomoki's fall, appears to be eminent but he remains adamant and still insists he retains his office.

"Those are just street lads bought by National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) to confuse us. COFTU is still very strong. We shall challenge them in court," boasts Lyomoki while thumping his chest. He asserted that a bunch of street thugs cannot dislodge him as general secretary UMWA.

This drama unfolds after losing other unions to the rival camp (National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU.) "Reference is made to your letter, Ref: UMWU; ADM/11/3/17 dated 29.

March 2017 notifying us of the change of officers and Trustees in your Union that was effected by the Extra- ordinary Delegates conference sitting on March 25th, 2017," partly reads a letter written by the Registrar Labour Union in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Martin Wandera.

"This is to inform you that pursuant to Section 42 (3) of the Labour Unions Act, 2006, the following have been registered as officials of the Uganda Medical Workers Union:" added Wandera.

This is the climax of government heeding the petition from the workers' body and has decided to act. A letter dated 31st March 2017, Ref: LEI45/232/14 written by the Wandera stated that government effected the decision of the Uganda Medical Workers Union that threw out Dr. Sam Lyomoki as General Secretary.

The government through the Ministry of Gender approved Kyahurwa Patrick, Okwir Denis and Muhimbura Geoffrey as Trustees.  Wandera in his two page communication addressed to the Uganda Medical Workers Union opted five persons to be co-opted to NEC, the top organ of UMWU.

The five include; Harry Mpewo as Sub regional coordinator Midwest, Fidel Nirangire for southwest sub region, Mweteyo Robert as Assistant coordinator southwest, Mali John as Regional coordinator and Owonda Jude as regional,coordinator central.

In brief, the electorate that sent Dr. Lyomoki to the August House has been mandated to recall him since he no longer represents them. Speaking about the drama on Saturday the General Secretary National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) Christopher Werikhe noted the letter from government marked the end of Dr. Lyomoki's resignation as workers MP.

"All along he has been fighting others. Now what he has been doing to others is happening to him. We have called him for talks, he never showed up. The only option left is to call him back from Parliament," said Werihke.

Lyomokin is also set to appear in Court on Monday (April 3 2017) over contempt of court. In a ruling made on 16th November 2011 following a suite (No. 208 of 2008) filed by Apollo Nyangasi and Doreen Nyangoma, Justice V.F. Kibuuka Musoke ruled that Lyomoki was illegally holding two positions of general secretary Ugandan Medical Workers Union Secretary General COFTU. Kibuuka ordered that Lyomoki reliquinshes one, but he has not obliged too.

In the new suit file by the current general secretary UMWU, Aggrey Sanya under Misc, Application No. 81 of 2017 of the High Court Division of Uganda, Sanya is demanding that Lyomoki be arrested for defying court orders made by Justice Kibuuka.

Sanya contends that though court ordered that Lyomoki reliquenshes one post in 30 days after the judgement was made in November, 2011, he has continued to draw two salaries. They are demanding that Lyomoki also refunds all the monies he has been receiving which amounts to over a billion shillings.

The names of UMWU officials comprise; Wedunga Charles (National Chairman), Obote Amos (National Vice Chairman), Sanya Aggrey (General Secretary), Wesonga Paul - Deputy Secretary General, Nakayita Milly- National Treasurer, Asire Millington - Organization and Education Secretary and Katayebwa Rose - Assistant Organizing and Education Secretary.

Others are; Okello Venturing - Secretary for Dispute Settlement and Welfare, Acia Sabastian - Deputy Secretary for Dispute Settlement and Welfare, Gosa Lovisa - Secretary for Women, Nanyonga Florence - Assistant Secretary Women Affairs, Musinguzi Arch Paul - Secretary Nurses and Midwifery, Obata Millington - Secretary for Allied Health Profession, Bukenya Anthony -Secretary for Non - Medical workers, and Dr. Owobushobozi John - Secretary for Medical and Dental Practioners.
 
Lyomoki response

Lyomoki has remained adamant and still insists he is the General Secretary of UMWU. "Those are just street boys bought by NOTU to confuse us. COFTU is still very strong. We shall challenge them in court," boasted Lyomoki. He said a bunch of street thugs cannot dislodge him as general secretary Uganda Medical Workers Union.