KAMPALA: The former Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Airlines, Cornwell Muleya, is demanding Shs3.5 billion from the government and reinstatement to his job over what he describes as wrongful termination.
Through his lawyers of Muwema and Company Advocates, Muleya on Monday, March 28, 2022, issued a letter of intention to sue to the Board of Uganda National Airlines, saying his suspension and termination in February this year did not follow the law.
“Our client who was a technical advisor for the establishment of UNACL was, after its incorporation, appointed as its Chief Executive Officer in acting capacity for six months on 1st September 2019 and subsequently as substantive Chief Executive Officer from 1st March 2020. He was the highest -ranking executive, decision maker and accountable manager of the company answerable to the Board of Directors,” Muleya’s letter reads in part.
He adds that when he was being terminated, the Board of Uganda Airlines did not explain what he had done to contravene the law.
“The then Chairman of the board issued our client with a notice of leave of absence dated 29th April 2021. This decision followed a communication from the Hon Minister, MOWT citing an alleged letter from H.E The President of Uganda about various allegations of mismanagement in the company,” the lawyers noted.
“Our client was never furnished with the particulars or nature of his offence which contravened regulation 1 (11) (a) of the Disciplinary Code under Schedule 1 of the Employment Act, 2006,” he added.
Muleya was sacked in February this year by Works and Transport Minister, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, on the orders of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to pave way for investigations into allegations of financial mismanagement, collusion, and nepotism in staff recruitment among other issues.
He was replaced by Jenifer Bamuturaki, the former airline spokesperson, who is currently serving as CEO in acting capacity.