NSSF Bill: Dr Sam Lyomoki is playing to the gallery

Sep 01, 2020

Currently, NSSF has 2.3 million savers. Its net worth is about sh11.3 trillion. According to facts available, the fund pays out sh50b per month to its depositors.

OPINION| PARLIAMENT

Over the past few days, Dr Sam Lyomoki, one of the workers' representatives in the august House, has basked in media coverage.

On Friday, August 28, New Vision's page 11 headline read: ‘Workers MP Lyomoki sleeps in Parliament over delayed NSSF Bill." And a day earlier, he graced half a page in the Daily Monitor. The page 7 headline screamed "Kadaga, Lyomoki clash over delayed passing of NSSF Bill."

On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, one of the items on Parliament's Order Paper was the second reading of the NSSF Bill. To the uninitiated, a ‘second reading' of any Bill, by a line minister or private member, in the plenary is usually followed by intense debate by MPs from across the political divide.

What is making the NSSF Bill unique is a proposal by various stakeholders to the executive and legislative arms of government that at least 20% of each workers' savings to the fund be paid out to them — to mitigate against financial distress sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Parliament, two requisite committees were tasked with digesting the issue and writing a report. These were: (1). committee on finance, planning and economic development and (2). the committee on gender, labour and social development.

BACKGROUND

Currently, NSSF has 2.3 million savers. Its net worth is about sh11.3 trillion. According to facts available, the fund pays out sh50b per month to its depositors. The largest chunk of the said money goes to savers that clock the age of 55 years.

At onset of the current public debate — and subsequent discourse in Parliament — to compel NSSF to pay out at least 20% of each contributor's savings; if one so desired; the fund's MD wrote to the finance minister.

In a letter dated May 5, 2020, he argued that if the Government were to acquiesce the 20% pay-out demand, NSSF could collapse. He claimed that the fund would need a minimum of sh2.6 trillion to pay the 20% in addition to another sh1.1 trillion to folks that would have turned 55. In total, NSSF would need sh3.7 trillion.

FAST FORWARD

It is against the aforementioned that the issue got to Parliament. While the executive arm of government concurs with NSSF management — about a likely financial shock to NSSF — several MPs and members of the public disagree. In her wisdom, the Speaker referred the issue to the committees alluded to.

Last Wednesday, they were to report back. In tandem, the line ministers (finance, planning and economic development, in addition to gender, labour and social development) were to report to the House — before a general debate and subsequent vote by the entire House could be made; either on that day or later on.  

Public service minister Muruli Mukasa explained to the House that the concerned ministers were absent. Through the Speaker, he prayed that the matter be deferred till after two weeks. Being cognisant of the fact that several MPs, including ministers, are gearing up for party primaries, the Speaker accepted the request. It is at this juncture that Dr Lyomoki took advantage of the situation. He aimed and fired his canons at the umpire.

Despite the Speaker's explanation that it is her office that had fast-tracked the issue onto the Order Paper — because of numerous petitions — Lyomoki would not let go. He flouted her ruling and swore to sleep in the chambers.

As a veteran MP who is familiar with the rules of procedure, his actions were mind-boggling. Both Lyomoki and other MPs, including the public, needed and still need to know the official position of the two ministries alluded to before a logical debate and vote can be made by the entire House.

Added to the aforegone, are current power dynamics in the medical workers' movement of Uganda. Might it be fair to conclude that Lyomoki was playing to the gallery; to attract media attention and probably stave off competition for his parliamentary seat.

The writer is the Principal Press Secretary to the Speaker of Parliament

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});