Just like in football where it is a vice of especially African players to falsify their age to guarantee them more playing years, public servants in Uganda are notorious for falsifying their age in order to continue working past the retirement age.
Bank of Uganda is again set to cost the taxpayer several hundred million shillings which will be paid out as benefits to “retiring” workers yet they are not entitled to them.
12 members of staff were found guilty of falsifying their age and are supposed to be dismissed as stipulated in the bank’s Administrative Manual, but they have been asked to voluntarily retire, which means they will be entitled to benefits.
The senior staff are; Auka Modesto; Director of the National Payment System Department, Semugga Stephen; Director Administrative Services, Oketcho Solomon; Executive Director of Administrative Services, Opio Patrick; Assistant Director Security and Rumanzi Peter Ivan; Assistant Director of the Petroleum Fund.
Others include; Odonga Ekuka Sophie (Currency Department), Enyasu Julius (Security), Mpora Adonia (Administrative Services), Olonga Fred (Non banking institutions department), Katamba Simon Patrick (Commercial banking), Kaitesi Stella Lubega (Statistics) and Wamurumba Peter Musai (Banking).
The anomaly was discovered after the bank’s management asked staff to submit copies of National IDs and it turned out that 12 staff had different dates of birth from those submitted at their point of entry to the bank.
Matooke Republic has learnt that a November board meeting resolved to have the staff voluntarily retire instead of dismissal, which guarantees them their retiring benefits, albeit causing loss to the tax payer.
On November 16, BoU’s Human Resource Director Dr. Jan Tibamwenda wrote to the Deputy Governor Louis Kasekende, seeking clarity on the board resolution.
“Reference is made to the memo dated 12th November 2019. Your attention is drawn to sections 6.8.12, 6.8.14 of the Administration Manual (April 2018) regarding update of staff information.”
“I wish to further draw your attention to the Board Resolution No. 247 made 11th October 1999 which stated that staff shall not be permitted to change the age declared to the Bank at the time of entry.”
“The purpose of this Memo is to seek your approval for the above-mentioned staff to voluntarily retire rather than considering the Administrative Manual (April 2018) penalty recommendation under section 6.9.11 that calls for outright dismissal.”
It is said Kasekende gave the approval, noting that the board had discussed the matter.
The BoU board is headed by Governor Tumusiime Mutebile as chairman with Kasekende as Vice Chairman. Other members are James Kahooza, Josephine Okui Ossia, Judy Obitre Gama, Dr William Kalema and Keith Muhakanizi. The secretary is Susan Kanyemibwa.