But two names on that list, Richard Byarugaba and Robert Kabushenga, sprung surprises. It is not clear if the two were asked to apply for the job, which – as many Ugandans have rightly argued on social media – will not necessarily go to the best candidate (at interview), but candidate President Museveni wants to fill the vacant position. And to be fair, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Mr. Byarugaba and Mr. Kabushenga applying for a job they are qualified for, even if the public thinks they are either retired or on the way to retirement.

They seem to want to serve the city they live in, or broadly speaking, serve their country. However, on social media, young and middle-aged Ugandans are asking whether Mr. Byarugaba and Mr. Kabushenga are still applying for jobs, given their track record of holding well-paid positions in well-established institutions and the fact that they are candidates for retirement, who should retire? It is my opinion that these gentlemen should not be regarded as pensioners. Mr Byarugaba still wanted the NSSF doctor job, but a clash he had with Labor and Gender Minister Betty Amongi, who oversees the Fund, meant his contract could not be renewed. In fact, he went to court, but the court ruled against him.

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 in fact been fired. The newspaper said he tried to plead with General Muhoozi Kainerugaba to persuade his father, Yoweri Museveni, to let him continue in the service, but it was too late. He had to vacate his office. Some say Mr Byarugaba and Mr Kabushenga are not struggling financially and should rest comfortably in retirement.

Mr Kabushenga, after all, is a well-known coffee farmer and Mr Byarugaba is credited with increasing NSSF’s financial portfolio to Shs 2 trillion. But appearances are deceiving. And if you want to know what retirement really means, here are some pointers from former UIA executive director 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 paper asked if the money from the businesses she started after leaving UIA paid all her bills, she said: “Like I said, the beginning is hard.”

Then she added what sounded like a real clincher: “What I’ve noticed about retirement is that you lose your position in society. As the Executive Director of the UIA, you would walk into a room and everyone is eager to hear what you have to say. I traveled the world.

I’ve been to every continent. When you retire, it all suddenly goes away and you’re back to normal.” Maybe Mr. Byarugaba and Mr. Kabushenga are trying to avoid that.

Mr Namiti is a journalist and former Al Jazeera digital editor in charge of the Africa desk
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