Wakilii

Scovia Kyomuhendo v Ndejje University (Labour Dispute Reference No. 170 of 2023 (Arising from KCCA RUB 102 2018))

Industrial Court · [2026] UGIC 20 · 2026 Application Granted AI-generated summary ↓ Download Pin to watchlist Add to matter
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Type
Assessment of general damages and costs following Labour Officer's finding of unfair termination
Decision
Claimant awarded general damages with interest; costs declined

Observed later treatment

No later-treatment classification is recorded for this judgment.

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Holding

The Industrial Court held that an employee unlawfully terminated is entitled to general damages in addition to statutory benefits. The Court awarded the Claimant UGX 4,160,000 in general damages, representing four months' salary, based on her two-year service, monthly salary of UGX 1,040,000, and the unfair manner of termination. Interest at 15% per annum was awarded from the date of the award. The Court declined to award costs, finding no misconduct by the Respondent to justify an exceptional costs order.

Outcome

Claimant awarded general damages with interest; costs declined

Facts

The Claimant was employed by the Respondent university for approximately two years, earning UGX 1,040,000 per month. She was terminated due to the Respondent's financial difficulties. A Labour Officer at Kampala Capital City Authority found the termination procedurally unfair and awarded statutory benefits and compensation, but referred the questions of general damages and costs to the Industrial Court. The Claimant sought UGX 15,000,000 in general damages, alleging mental anguish, pain, suffering, embarrassment, and loss of income. The Respondent denied liability for further damages beyond those awarded by the Labour Officer and argued that its conduct was not high-handed.

Issues

  1. Whether the Claimant is entitled to damages and, if so, how much?
  2. Whether the Claimant is entitled to any other remedies, specifically costs?

Orders

  • The Claimant is awarded UGX 4,160,000 in general damages.
  • Interest at 15% per annum is awarded from the date of this award until payment in full.
  • No order as to costs.

Rules and key headnotes

Employment & Labour — Unfair Termination — General Damages — Entitlement
An employee who has been unlawfully dismissed or terminated is entitled to general damages in addition to statutory and contractual benefits.
Damages & Quantum — General Damages — Assessment Principles in Employment Disputes
General damages in employment disputes compensate for non-pecuniary losses such as emotional distress, injured feelings, reputational harm and mental anguish. The quantum is discretionary and guided by facts including the employee's age, status in the industry, manner of termination, length of service, disruption of career prospects, employability and salary. General damages should not double the employee's fixed income and must be compensatory rather than punitive.
Employment & Labour — Costs in Employment Disputes — Exceptional Circumstances
Costs in employment disputes are not awarded as a matter of course but only in exceptional circumstances where a party is shown to have engaged in misconduct.

Legislation cited (2)

Cases cited (10)

Full judgment

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The original judgment as reported. Read the original PDF before relying on any passage.

Scovia_Kyomuhendo_v_Ndejje_University_(Labour_Dispute_Reference_No._170_of_2023_(Arising_from_KCCA_RUB_102_2018))_[2026]_UGIC_20_(30_March_2026)
Source: this page presents Wakilii’s issue analysis and metadata for a publicly reported Ugandan judgment. Any AI-generated summary is marked as such. Judgment text is sourced from the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ulii.org). Wakilii is not affiliated with ULII.