KAMPALA — The High Court in Kampala has set June 29, 2026, as the date for ruling on an application filed by former Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) Chief Executive Ibrahim Lubega Kaddunabbi seeking interim orders to halt the implementation of a board decision that declined to recommend him for reappointment.
The ruling date was fixed on Monday by Justice Joyce Kavuma after hearing submissions from lawyers representing Kaddunabbi and the respondents, the Insurance Regulatory Authority and its former board chairperson, Isaac Nabeta Nkoote.
Kaddunabbi, whose five-year contract expired on May 31, 2026, is challenging a February 16 decision by the IRA Board not to recommend him to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for a second term as Chief Executive Officer.
In court documents, Kaddunabbi argues that he remains eligible for reappointment under the Insurance Act and the Authority's Human Resource Management Manual.
He contends that his performance record and previous evaluations gave rise to a legitimate expectation that he would be fairly considered for another term.
“I remain eligible for a second term under the law and had a legitimate expectation of being fairly considered for reappointment based on my performance record,” Kaddunabbi states in an affidavit filed before court.
He further alleges that the board reached its decision without affording him an opportunity to be heard and subsequently resolved to send him on annual leave as part of the process of transitioning him out of office.
The former CEO is seeking interim injunctions restraining the authority and its board from implementing the decision declining to recommend him for reappointment and from compelling him to proceed on leave pending the determination of his substantive judicial review application.
However, the IRA and Dr Nabeta have opposed the application, arguing that the matter has already been overtaken by events following the expiry of Kaddunabbi's contract.
Through lawyers from Dentons Advocates, the respondents submitted that Kaddunabbi's employment contract ran from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2026, and automatically expired at the end of the agreed term.
“The applicant’s contract expired by effluxion of time and the appointment of an Acting Chief Executive Officer means the administrative processes he seeks to challenge have already been concluded,” lead counsel John Musiime told court.
The respondents further informed court that following the expiry of Kaddunabbi's contract, Sande Protazio was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer and assumed office on June 1, 2026.
According to the respondents, granting the interim orders would alter rather than preserve the status quo, potentially creating uncertainty within the regulator and resulting in competing claims to the office of Chief Executive Officer.
They have asked the court to dismiss the application with costs, arguing that the orders sought could also affect individuals who are not parties to the proceedings, including the acting CEO and officials from the Ministry of Finance.
The June 29 ruling will determine whether the interim orders sought by Kaddunabbi will be granted pending the hearing and determination of his substantive judicial review application challenging the board's decision.