If Byarugaba and Kabushenga look for work, who will retire?

The search for a full-fledged chief executive of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) continues in earnest after Dorothy Kisaka was sacked following the Kitezi landfill accident that destroyed houses and killed more than 30 people. At the time of writing, she is languishing in jail along with her former deputy and former director of health, who were remanded in custody in connection with the incident.

Frank Rusa is currently serving as acting director pending the appointment of a new director. Many qualified candidates, including Mr Rusa, have applied for the position, which involves managing Kampala as a modern city. The list, which has been circulating on social media for the past week, shows there are more than 40 applicants.

But two names on the list, Richard Byarugaba and Robert Kabushenga, brought surprises. the best candidate (at interview), but candidate President Museveni wants to fill the vacancy. And frankly, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Mr Byarugaba and Mr Kabushenga applying for positions for which they are qualified, even if the public thinks they are either retired or about to retire.

They seem to want to serve the city they live in, or more generally, serve their country. However, on social media, young and middle-aged Ugandans are wondering: with a track record of holding well-paid positions in well-established institutions and the fact that they are candidates for retirement, who should retire? I believe that these gentlemen should not be considered as pensioners. Mr Byarugaba still wanted the MD position at the NSSF, but a conflict he had with the Minister of Labor and Gender Affairs, Betty Sredii, who oversees the Foundation, meant that his contract could not be renewed. In fact, he sued, but the court ruled against him.

**Combo**: Robert Kabushenga and Richard Byarugaba

Mr Kabushenga is no different. Although he announced on social media that he was stepping down as CEO of Vision Group, The Observer reported that he had effectively been sacked. The newspaper reports that he tried to persuade General Muhoozi Kainerugaba to convince his father Yoweri Museveni to allow him to continue working, but it was too late. He had to clear his desk. Some say Mr Byarugaba and Mr Kabushenga are not in financial trouble and should be enjoying their retirement.

After all, Mr Kabushenga is a renowned coffee farmer and Mr Byarugabe is credited with growing the NSSF’s financial portfolio to Sh2 trillion. But appearances are deceiving. And if you want to know what retirement really means, here’s some advice from former UIA chief executive Maggie Kigozi.

In 2015, Sunday Vision interviewed her about her retirement and she said she was “lucky” to have a well-paid job. But when the newspaper asked if all her bills were covered by money from the business she started after leaving UIA, she replied: “As I said, it’s off to a rough start.”

Then she added what seemed to be the real clincher: “As for retirement, I have noticed that you are losing your position in society. As the CEO of UIA, you walk into a room and everyone wants to hear what you have to say. I’ve traveled the world.

I’ve been to every continent. When you retire, all of that suddenly disappears and you go back to your normal life.” Perhaps Mr Byarugaba and Mr Kabushenga are trying to avoid this.

Mr Namithi is a journalist and former digital editor at Al Jazeera, heading the Africa desk.
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