Uganda CAA Ordered to Pay Compensation to Sacked Security Assistant Who Exposed Rhino Horn Smuggling at Entebbe International Airport.
The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has been ordered to pay a substantial sum to a former employee who was unfairly dismissed after acting as a whistleblower in a major wildlife crime. The Industrial Division of the High Court ruled that the termination of security assistant Arnold Olweny Bonaventure was unlawful, awarding him general damages equivalent to one year’s salary.
Details of the High-Profile Whistleblowing Case
Arnold Olweny, who had served the UCAA for seven years, was working as a security assistant at Entebbe International Airport when the incident occurred on August 18, 2017.
Olweny noticed suspicious activity involving a loader and a passenger. He quickly alerted officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and his supervisor, leading to a coordinated operation that successfully intercepted a passenger found to be smuggling 12 rhino horns concealed in their luggage.
Despite his critical role in exposing the crime, Olweny was later implicated in the very incident he helped uncover. He was:
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Arrested and suspended on half pay on August 31, 2017.
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Charged in court, but later discharged by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after a review of security footage confirmed his status as the genuine whistleblower.
In a shocking turn, the UCAA proceeded with disciplinary proceedings despite the DPP’s confirmation, resulting in Olweny receiving a termination letter in January 2018, dismissing him without a hearing.
The Court’s Decision: Why UCAA’s Termination Was Unlawful
Following the rejected internal appeal, Olweny filed a complaint of unlawful dismissal at the Entebbe Labour Office. Though the Labour Officer ruled in his favor, the compensation matter was escalated to the Industrial Court for a final determination.
Presided over by Justice Anthony Wabwire Musana, the Industrial Division of the High Court found that Olweny’s dismissal was unjustified. The court’s ruling emphasized the need for fair process and compensation for employees who are victims of unfair proceedings, especially after exposing wrongdoing within the organization.
General Damages Awarded: Shs25.9 Million vs. Shs300 Million Claim
While the court sided with the whistleblower, the final compensation figure was significantly lower than what was initially sought.
The court justified the figure of Shs25,957,800—representing one year’s salary—as adequate general damages. It rejected Olweny’s claim for the higher amount, stating that the sum was excessive and unsupported. Furthermore, the court dismissed claims for future earnings, labeling them as “speculative,” noting that such prospective earnings are typically declined as a remedy by the Industrial Court.
