The High Court Judge, Musa Ssekaana has ordered Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to compensate one Siiku Muzamil, a former employee who was fired from the Authority despite an existing court order against his termination.
Fred Bamwesigye, the Acting Director General CAA and Errance Musimenta Mbagaya the Acting Director Human Resources and Administration have been ordered by the court to pay Shs 15million to Muzamil, and another 10 million shillings as punitive damage for causing him anguish.
Muzamil told court that he was summarily fired from CAA in June last year and that he learnt about this on 3rd July 2020 in a letter by the Human Resources Director.
Following his termination, he rushed to court on 14th July 2020 and got an interim order staying implementation of the decision.
However, he says, officials in the top management of CAA undermined this court order on grounds that the matter had been over taken by events since the applicant (Muzamir) was no longer reporting on duty.
However, the described the Authority’s act as contempt of court which warrants punishment.
“I find that the respondent’s justification for not complying with the order on claiming ignorance of its existence and claims that it was overtaken by events untenable, baseless and devoid on merit.”
“Article 32 of the collective bargaining agreement bars implementation of any punishment before expiry of 15 days or until the determination of the appeal. This means that any decision taken by 5th Respondent (Uganda Civil Aviation Authority) couldn’t be implemented before the expiry of 15 days.”
