Twenty head teachers who were recently dismissed from service in Nakaseke district over forged academic documents have petitioned the Luweero High Court seeking reinstatement in old positions.
On September 3rd, 2024, the Nakaseke District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) dismissed 20 head teachers from public service and directed them to forfeit all their service benefits.
They were also told they were not eligible for employment in the public service forever after they were found to have forged academic documents to gain promotions.
The affected head teachers were; Keefa Luyirika, Ruth Male Ntabadde, Julius Turyamureba, Christopher Kasule, Esau Kakoma Ssebuufu, Zamu Nansubuga, Henry Kasule, Godfrey Isiko, Annet Namawejje and Paul Ssejjuko Gamwenya.
Others are; Fred Nkona, Gorret Nakanwagi, Emmy Segawa, Henry Matovu, Andrew Lukanga, Wilson Kalega, Martin Kirunda, Nestorius Nuwenyesiga, Geofrey Kigonya and Alfred Laber Ocaya.
They were dismissed after investigations carried out by the Inspectorate found that they had forged academic documents to gain promotion to the positions.
Some head teachers reportedly admitted before the Inspectorate of Government (IG) officers that their transcripts were forged at Nasser Road, the hub of stationery in Kampala city.
The forgery scandal came to the limelight when a whistleblower alerted the office of the CAO Sarah Nakalungi, who forwarded the files of the accused head teachers to the Inspectorate of Government for further investigation.
This was after the district asked them to submit their academic documents to be promoted to substantive head teachers after serving as caretakers and deputy head teachers.
The head teachers presented forged academic transcripts for Bachelors of Arts and Education which they claimed to have obtained from Makerere University, Kampala International University, Kyambogo University and Kampala University.
According to dismissal letters signed by CAO Nakalungi, their act of uttering forged academic documents was contrary to Uganda Public Service Standing Orders (2020) (F-r). She ordered them to hand over.
However, the affected head teachers through their lawyer M/S Sserwanga and Company Advocates have applied for judicial review at Luweero High Court seeking an order to quash and declare the dismissal as null, void, or illegal and should be reinstated for work.
As a result, the Luweero High Court has set Wednesday December 18th to hear the application.
Ignatius Koomu, the LCV Chairman of Nakaseke district said they have received the notice of hearing and the district lawyer to file a defense in the suit.
By Our Reporter
12 Dec 2024
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