A concerned Ugandan has dragged top officials of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) to the Inspectorate of Government for allegedly paying about Shs10 billion in salaries to staff that should have retired long ago.
“Under regulation 33(1) (2) of the security organisations regulation 2018, an officer may after his or her retirement be called to render special service to the security organisation on contract for three years and shall not exceed two terms. However, the said terms which came into existence in 1987 and as amended in 2018 have suffered a setback since they are not followed at all by the leadership,” the petitioner who preferred to remain anonymous says.
The whistle blower says that in 2012, eight members of staff who were retired under the terms before their amendment in 2018 have continued to be on the establishment under non clear terms. Even when the leadership was too formalized, then their two years contract would have ended in 2008 without further renewal. This has resulted into continuation on establishment and no- compatible payments of salaries on the eight for 11 years.
He said by the end of 2016 before the amendment of terms in 2018, 37 members of staff were salted for retirement under the old terms and therefore could not be accommodated by the amended terms to qualify for pension since they were already above 60 years by 1st July 2017.
“Most of the senior management team fall under this category and Col. Don Mugimba who falls under this category has vowed to fight the implementation of the amended terms without his category benefiting by having the terms amended again to their benefits. This means that 37 staff have been on the establishment and earning salaries for now over two years without contracts,” he says.
“in 2017 and 2018, 48 staff pending retirement under the amended terms which means that by 1st July 2019, they were entitled to their pension and gratuity as provided for under the amended terms, but still this has remained unclear due to the insider fighting,” the petitioner says adding that 48 staff have been working and earning a salary for now two years without contracts.
He also says at the beginning of July 2019, 16 members of staff were due for retirement and they were entitled to their pension and gratuity as provided for under the amended terms. However, he says, this has remained unclear due to the insider fighting and efforts to award them contracts is not forthcoming because the retirees under three consider themselves as the determinants to award contracts to themselves and others who applied for contracts but who they consider not worthwhile.
The whistle blower also notes that the pensions and gratuity funds could have been diverted by the leadership for personal gains.
When contacted for a comment, IGG, Justice Irene Mulyagonja acknowledged receiving the petition and said her office was still studying document before the launch investigations.
“It is true, I have received that petition but for now, the issues raised are being studied by our officials before we commence inquiries into them” Justice Mulyagonja said in an interview.
