The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has been ordered to compensate a former airport security officer who was unlawfully dismissed after blowing the whistle on a major wildlife trafficking operation at Entebbe International Airport.
The Industrial Division of the High Court ruled that Arnold Olweny Bonaventure was unfairly terminated and awarded him Shs 25.9 million in general damages, equivalent to one year’s salary.
Court records show that Olweny was earning Shs 2.16 million per month when his employment was terminated. The court noted that he had already been paid his notice, accumulated leave and service gratuity, and had served UCAA for seven years.
In its ruling, the court held that compensation equal to 12 months’ pay was fair and reasonable under the circumstances.
“Taking into account the claimant’s monthly salary, length of service and the payments already made, we find that Shs 25,957,800, representing one year’s pay, adequately compensates him for the unlawful termination,” the court ruled.
However, the award was significantly lower than the Shs 300 million Olweny had sought. The court rejected the higher figure, describing it as excessive and unsupported by evidence.
The judges reasoned that awarding damages exceeding Shs 207 million — the total amount Olweny earned during his entire period of employment — would be unjustified in the absence of aggravating factors. The court also dismissed his claim for future earnings, describing it as speculative.
“The claim that the claimant was deprived of future salary amounting to Shs 50,965,776 is speculative. Courts have consistently declined to award prospective earnings, and we find no reason to depart from that position,” the ruling stated.
The case stems from events that occurred on August 18, 2017, when Olweny, then working as a security assistant at Entebbe International Airport, became suspicious of a bag being handled by a loader and later by a passenger. He alerted his supervisor and officials from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, triggering an operation that led to the discovery of 12 rhino horns concealed in the passenger’s luggage and the suspect’s arrest.
Despite his role in exposing the smuggling attempt, Olweny was later implicated in the same crime. He was arrested and suspended on half pay on August 31, 2017, accused of facilitating the illegal trafficking.
Although he was charged in court, the Director of Public Prosecutions later dropped the case after reviewing security footage, which confirmed that Olweny had acted as a whistleblower.
He was nevertheless subjected to disciplinary proceedings by the UCAA disciplinary committee, which he objected to, citing bias. In January 2018, he received a termination letter dismissing him without being granted a hearing.
An appeal to the UCAA managing director on February 1, 2018, was rejected five days later. Olweny subsequently filed a complaint of unlawful dismissal at the Entebbe Labour Office, demanding Shs 300 million in compensation and asking the authority to clear a Shs 30 million salary loan.
While the Labour Officer ruled in his favour, the question of compensation was referred to the Industrial Court for determination. The case was heard by Justice Anthony Wabwire Musana.
The court dismissed Olweny’s remaining claims, citing insufficient evidence to support them.
