The High Court has ordered the reinstatement of Claire Nassali Mugabi as the Marketing Manager of the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) following her controversial dismissal in May 2024.
On May 28, 2024, Lily Ajarova, the Chief Executive Officer of UTB, dismissed Mugabi and instructed her to hand over all office property and refrain from accessing the premises. This directive was communicated through a letter delivered via WhatsApp.
Subsequently, on May 30, 2024, Ajarova sent an email to all UTB staff informing them that Mugabi was no longer employed by the Board and that all matters related to the Marketing Office should be addressed to her directly.
Despite objections and concerns raised by Mugabi over Ajarova’s alleged overreach of authority, procedural irregularities, and disregard for due process, the decision was not reversed.
Mugabi stated that the manner of her dismissal caused her mental distress, embarrassment, inconvenience, and anxiety.
In her ruling, High Court Judge Esta Nambayo found that Mugabi had been unjustly removed from her position, humiliated through the informal method of dismissal, and barred from accessing her office.
“I find that all the above actions caused injury to the applicant’s self-esteem. I find Shs 5 million reasonable as general damages to Mugabi,” Justice Nambayo ruled.
The court declared Mugabi’s dismissal illegal, irregular, and procedurally improper. It quashed the dismissal and ordered her immediate reinstatement with full pay from the date of her termination. Additionally, the court directed UTB and Ajarova to cover the costs of the legal proceedings.
