ROW: Rift Threatens NOTU As Werikhe Drags Usher Owere To Court

BY PATRICK JARAMOGI

KAMPALA-SHIFTMEDIA- A deep rift is threatening to tear apart the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU).

The latest we can reveal is that the Secretary-General of NOTU Werikhe Christopher Peter has dragged his boss, Chairman General Usher Wilson Owere to court.

Also sued is Brother Ezra Kanyana the General Secretary National Union of Theatrical Domestic and General Workers (NUTDOW).

notu documents

Through his lawyers, Mungoma, Mabonga, Wakhakha Advocates, Werikhe filed a civil Suit H.C.C.S No. 117 of 2021 at the High Court Civil Division.

Particulars of the case

In the particulars of the case, Werikhe contends that the respondents (Owere and Kanyana) are not seized with any authority to demand him to vacate the office of the Secretary-General of NOTU, nor the board of directors and trustees of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). In his affidavit, Werikhe notes that Owere and Kanyana don’t have locus to demand his resignation as Secretary-General of NOTU.

The plaintiff is seeking a permanent injunction, an order of Estopped, stating that he was defamed by the duo. His lawyers noted that their client is also demanding general damages to the tune of Shs100 million for slander and defamation.

Background to the woes

The rift began when Werikhe Christopher won the parliamentary seat for Bubulo West in the 2021 parliamentary elections. Apparently, according to Usher Wilson Owere, Werikhe didn’t resign both as Secretary-General of NOTU and as Board of Directors of NSSF as required by law.  He contested under the NRM Party ticket.

In a petition to have Werikhe thrown out, the respondents observed that “any leader of the National Center shall not be a member of a political league or stand on any political party ticket at any level”. “And where any federation leader chooses to hold any party position, he/she shall relinquish his/her position in the National Center”.

Werikhe is accused of not resigning from his position at NSSF 90 days to nomination as required by law. The petition to Gender also notes that Werikhe as the Chief Executive of NOTU and spokesperson, who under article (9) (4) of NOTU is supposed to perform functions that promote the purpose and objectives of NOTU didn’t delegate his responsibilities while he was away for campaigns. Werikhe is also implicated in the misuse of funds meant for the NOTU House in Njeru that was purportedly donated by State House.

Owere responds

In a notice to the NOTU affiliated Unions, Brother Usher Wilson Owere said he was under obligation to file a response. “I have instructed my lawyers to do so and I pledge to keep you updated on this matter accordingly,” said Owere.

Watch this space for details……………………..