UNRA Sued over illegal termination of contracts

By Serestino Tusingwire

Over 150 former employees of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) have petitioned High court seeking Shs13bn in damages for what they claim was unfair dismissal.

The petitioners lost their jobs during the restructuring exercise last year. They are seeking leave of court to file a representative suit to avoid multiplicity of suits.

They want six of their colleagues; Lyndon Denis Kiyimba, Esther Alum, Jims Billy Asiimwe, Luciano Webare, Kenneth Muramyenta and Robert Byekwaso to represent them.

In a sworn affidavit in support of the representative suit, Lyndon Denis Kiyimba alleges that UNRA collectively terminated their employment contracts on December 31, 2015 without notice; a move he says was unfair and unlawful.

He contends that the unlawful dismissal from their jobs has caused them suffer losses and that their sustenance and their families have been put in balance.

The petitioners claim that the dismissal has caused them embarrassment and made them unemployable within the country and abroad since they have been portrayed as ‘thieves’ and ‘corrupt’.

They are seeking Shs13bn in damages and as payment for the remainder of their contracts.

Deputy High court registrar, Alex Ajiji has set Monday next week to deliver his ruling on whether or not to allow the six employees to file a representative suit on behalf of the other sacked staff.