The Luwero High Court has dismissed an application filed by 20 former teachers of Nakaseke district challenging their sacking from service.
Through M/s Sam Sserwanga & Co. Advocates, 20 teachers filed an application for judicial review at Luwero High Court challenging their dismissal from service saying that the decision was tainted with illegality, irrationality and procedural impropriety.
This was after the Nakaseke District Chief Administrative Officer Sarah Nakalungi sacked the teachers in 2024 following investigations by Inspectorate of Government and recommendations from District Service Commission after they were found guilty of forging academic documents to gain promotions.
Trouble for teachers started after the teachers forged academic papers to gain promotions as headteachers but a whistle blower leaked the plot to CAO who later forwarded the matter to IG officers for investigations.
The dismissed teachers include Fred Nkona, Gorreti Nakanwagi, Emmy Segawa, Henry Matovu, Andrew Lukanga, Wilson Kalega, Martin Kirunda, Nestorius Nuwenyesiga, Geofrey Kigonya, and Alfred Laber Ocaya.
Other include Keefa Luyirika, Ruth Male Ntabadde, Julius Turyamureeba, Christopher Kasule, Esau Kakoma Ssebuufu, Zamu Nansubuga, Henry Kasule, Godfrey Isiko, Annet Namawejje, and Paul Ssejjuko Gamwenya.
In their application at Luwero High Court ,the former teachers asked Court to compel Nakaseke District to withdraw the dismissal letters submitted to the District Service Commission and reinstate them as teachers or deputy headteachers, insisting that they obtained those roles using genuine academic documents.
However the Nakaseke District CAO and District Service Commission defended the dismissal saying they followed the rightful procedures and acted within powers as conferred to them by the laws.
On Wednesday, Justice Faridah Bukirwa Shamilah Ntambi delivered her judgement in matter where she dismissed the application saying that that affected teachers have not established that the impugned decision was tainted with illegality, irrationality or procedural impropriety within the meaning of the principles governing judicial review.
Justice Bukirwa added that the Commission acted within the powers expressly conferred upon it by statute when it initiated disciplinary proceedings and subsequently dismissed the Applicants from service.
The Judge also ruled that the applicants have not demonstrated that they lodged an appeal to the Public Service Commission as provided for under the Local Governments Act and the Public Service Standing Orders before they rushed to court.
“In those circumstances, this Court is satisfied that the Applicants approached this Court prematurely and in disregard of the statutory dispute resolution mechanism provided by Parliament” Justice Bukirwa noted in her ruling
The judge also rejected allegations that disciplinary proceedings were tainted with procedural impropriety because applicants appeared as group before the Commission saying there is no provision in the Public Service Standing Orders prohibiting administrative bodies from conducting joint disciplinary proceedings.
“As a result, this Application is dismissed with costs to the Respondent” Justice Bukirwa ruled on Wednesday, March 18, 2026
The court decision to uphold the decision of Nakaseke CAO means that the teachers will not regain the employment and must forfeit the pension benefits unless they appeal.
