NOTU joins teachers in bid to push Alupo out

Kampala. Fresh calls for Education minister Jessica Alupo to resign over the alleged mismanagement of a multi-billion shilling national teachers’ loan fund were made yesterday as the national unions body joined the teachers.
The chairman general of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (Notu), Mr Usher Wilson Owere, accused the ministry of fraud, saying it disbursed only Shs6.8 billion to Microfinance Support Centre (MFSC) instead of the Shs10b which they received from the Finance ministry as part of the teachers’ fund.
“As Notu, we call for the immediate resignation of Jessica Alupo together with the ministry permanent secretary, Ms Rose Nassali, for causing disharmony,” Mr Owere said.
“We have also asked the workers MPs to prepare a censure motion against Minister Alupo. Notu and all workers in this country pledge and declare our support to the teachers in their endless demand for what is due to them,” he added.

Rechannel funds call
The union also asked for the immediate rechannelling of the funds to the teachers’ savings and cooperative body with immediate effect.
But Mr Partick Muinda, the ministry spokesperson, had previously said they had received Shs4.2b and Shs2.6b for the last two years, respectively.
Ms Alupo said the ministry was looking into the teachers’ grievances which they hoped to sort out soon.
“We have a pending meeting with the Prime Minister[Dr Ruhakana Rugunda]. We would like to revisit all the issues and we are also still gathering information. Am not worried. If there are gaps, the meeting should focus on them ,” she said.
Mr Owere’s calls come barely a week after the Uganda National Teachers’ Association gave the ministry a 90-day ultimatum to rescind their position on the teachers’ Sacco money or face a complete shutdown in public schools.
The ultimatum was passed after the teachers had earlier threatened to go on strike when the term begins on Monday.