The Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Betty Amongi, has announced the appointment of Patrick M. Ayota as the new Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
Ayota takes over the role from Richard Byarugaba, who recently lodged a petition last week with the civil division of the High Court, contesting a decision that denied the renewal of his contract.
Byarugaba held the position of Managing Director at NSSF on two occasions: from 2010 to 2013 and then from 2017 to 2022. However, in the latter part of the previous year, Betty Amongi informed Byarugaba that his contract could not be renewed, nor his term temporarily extended until a permanent appointment was made.
This decision was grounded in his surpassing the upper age limit of 60 years. In response, Ayota was designated as Acting Managing Director.
Patrick M. Ayota officially commenced his five-year tenure on August 18. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as Deputy Managing Director since December 2017 and as Chief Finance Officer since 2011.
The NSSF has recently grappled with allegations of mismanagement, casting a shadow over its operations. In light of this, a parliamentary select committee conducted an investigation into the Fund’s activities, yielding 27 recommendations. Among the key proposals is the dissolution of the fund’s board, presided over by Dr. Peter Kimbowa.
The appointment of Ayota ushers in a new chapter for the NSSF, as it navigates the challenges and reforms outlined by the parliamentary committee.
Who is Patrick Ayota?
Patrick Ayota is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda.
He was born in Tororo district and attended local Ugandan schools for his pre-university education before joining Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, in the United States, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Later, he was admitted to the University of South Carolina, at Columbia, graduating with a Master of Business Administration.
Following his graduate studies, he was employed at Atlanta offices, by the Reznick Group, which today is CohnReznick, a large international accounting firm. In 2007, Ayota returned to Uganda and took up employment as the Head of Finance at Barclays Bank of Uganda (today Absa Bank Uganda Limited).
In 2010 Ayota left Barclays Bank and was hired by the National Social Security Fund of Uganda (NSSF Uganda), as the Chief Finance Officer.
In a search for new top management at NSSF Uganda, in June 2014, Ayota scored the highest marks for Deputy Managing Director. However, with the intervention of President Yoweri Museveni, a different top team was hired and Ayota remained Head of Finance at the institution.
In October 2017, further changes were made to the NSSF Board and Ayota was named as substantive Deputy Managing Director.
In 2022, Ayota was appointed acting Managing Director.