The High Court in Kampala has awarded a Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) tax auditor Shs100 million after ruling that a senior colleague defamed him by falsely linking him to a shooting incident in messages shared on a senior management WhatsApp group.
In a judgment delivered on June 17 2026, Justice Isaac Bonny Teko found that James Abola, who was then serving as URA’s Assistant Commissioner for Staff Compliance, published damaging and unverified allegations about tax auditor Nicholas Jjengo.
The dispute arose from messages Abola posted on the URA Senior Management WhatsApp forum on September 18 2022. In the messages, he identified Jjengo by name and claimed police were searching for him over an alleged shooting.
One of the messages stated that Kasangati Police were looking for “Jjengo Nicholas, a Customs Officer” who had allegedly fired three bullets at victims the previous night.
A follow-up message claimed Jjengo had pursued another vehicle and opened fire after a woman refused to get into his car following a social outing.
Jjengo sued for libel, arguing that the allegations were entirely false and severely damaged his reputation among URA’s senior leadership, colleagues and the wider organisation.
He told the court that the messages portrayed him as a wanted criminal, a violent gunman, an irresponsible public officer and an immoral married man.
Abola denied defaming his colleague, maintaining that he had merely shared information received from ASP Patrick Lumumba Okello, an officer attached to the Staff Compliance Division. He argued that he acted in good faith to alert senior management about a matter concerning staff conduct and security.
He further contended that the messages were protected by qualified privilege because they related to official duties and included cautionary wording indicating that the allegations were still under investigation.
However, Justice Teko ruled that the publications went far beyond a routine internal alert.
The judge said the first message clearly conveyed that Jjengo was a wanted suspect in a shooting, describing it as a serious accusation of criminality and violence.
He also criticised the second message for introducing an unnecessary and sensational account involving jealousy, a woman and gun violence.
According to the court, referring to the woman as “a skirt” created a moral and sexual implication that painted Jjengo as reckless, violent and unworthy of public trust.
While acknowledging that Abola had a legitimate responsibility to report serious allegations involving a member of staff, Justice Teko ruled that such a duty did not justify circulating unverified claims or adding details that had not been confirmed.
The court stressed that qualified privilege protects responsible communication made in good faith, but does not shield individuals who recklessly publish or embellish damaging allegations without verifying their accuracy.
Evidence presented before the court showed that after the messages were circulated, several senior URA officials sought clarification from Jjengo and were informed that the claims were false. Despite this, the court found no evidence that Abola made reasonable efforts to verify the information before sharing it.
Justice Teko also dismissed the argument that repeating allegations from another source absolves a person of responsibility, ruling that a publisher remains liable for defamatory statements, particularly where the accusations are serious and can easily be verified.
The court concluded that the publications were defamatory and that Abola had lost the protection of qualified privilege because he acted recklessly and showed disregard for the truth.
As a result, Justice Teko ordered Abola to pay Jjengo Shs70 million in general damages and Shs30 million in exemplary damages, bringing the total compensation to Shs100 million.
The court further directed Abola to issue a written apology within 14 days and publish it in the same URA Senior Management WhatsApp group where the allegations had originally appeared.
In addition, Abola was permanently restrained from making similar allegations against Jjengo unless they are made lawfully, in good faith, after proper verification and within the scope of his official duties.
The awarded damages will attract interest at eight per cent per annum until they are fully paid. Jjengo was also awarded the costs of the suit.
