A total of 29 former lecturers of Nkumba University have petitioned the Court in charge of Labor over what they call “unfair termination”.
The lecturers led by Mr Joseph Kigguddu claim that they were not given any prior notice of justification for their termination, something they say was not fair.
“The respondents (university) did not offer any justifiable or reasonable explanations to the claimants in justification of the termination. The reasons and nature of the respondents’ restructuring process/ collective termination in justification of the ….termination,” the lecturers state.
The lecturers, through Maxim Advocates are now demanding for the University to pay them damages, outstanding arrears and loans.
According to the suit, on August 29, 2019, the 29 were wrongfully terminated from their jobs at the University which was unfair stating that that on that fateful day, the lecturers, after reporting to the campus to teach, were instead invited to the Secretary’s office where they were all informed of their termination with immediate effect.
“Shocked by this development, the claimants (lecturers), raised their objections to the impugned termination, which were ignored by the university secretary, who handed over termination letters to them, with directions that they acknowledge receipt of their letters and immediately hand over their respective offices,” reads in part court documents.
The petition has challenged the University on grounds that their termination was in violation of the terms of their employment contracts and appointment letters.
Adding: “The termination contravened Sections 6 (1) and 73 (1)b of the Employment Act 2006, the respondents’ own Human Resources Manual, the claimants employment contracts and appointment letters.”
They say that despite demanding compensation, the lecturers have not received anything from the University which has instead continuously dismissed them.
The presiding Justice Linda Lillian Tusiime Mugisha met with both sides on Monday and resolved that they settle their issues in one month and report back to court on 23rd November. Failure to resolve their issues, the judge said, will necessitate her to intervene and give her verdict on the matter.
