KAMPALA, Uganda — The High Court in Kampala has ruled in favor of three members of the Board of Governors of Old Kampala Senior Secondary School, declaring their removal unlawful and ordering their immediate reinstatement in a decision seen as a significant boost for accountability and good governance at the institution.
In a ruling delivered on 30th April 2026, the court found that the expulsion of Hon. Mubiru James, Mr. Ivan Mboowa, and Mr. Isaac Waggala was illegal, irrational, and procedurally improper.
The three had been duly appointed by the Minister of Education and Sports in December 2023, with their term expected to run until December 2026.
Court records show that the trio had raised concerns regarding financial accountability, management of school property, and staffing decisions during their tenure on the board. Their actions, the court noted, fell squarely within their oversight mandate as board members.
However, they were subsequently excluded from board activities and removed from their positions without formal notice, without a hearing, and without written authorization from the appointing authority.
The court held that the Board of Governors and its officials acted outside their legal powers, emphasizing that only the Minister of Education has the authority to suspend or remove board members, and such action must be formally communicated in writing. The absence of any formal suspension or removal letter rendered the actions taken against the applicants legally invalid.
The judge further found that the applicants were denied their right to a fair hearing, as they were neither informed of any allegations against them nor given an opportunity to respond. Evidence presented before court indicated that they were not invited to a key board meeting where their removal was decided and were later forcibly removed from school premises by police when they attempted to attend a subsequent meeting.
In its analysis, the court concluded that removing board members for demanding accountability in financial and administrative matters was unreasonable and contrary to the very purpose of their appointment. Such actions, the ruling noted, could not be justified by any reasonable standard of governance.
The court consequently declared the decision to exclude and remove the three members null and void, quashed all related actions, and issued orders prohibiting any further interference with their duties. It also directed that they be reinstated to their respective positions with immediate effect and that they receive all outstanding allowances and entitlements accrued during the period of their unlawful exclusion.
The judgment has been welcomed by sections of the Old Kampala Senior Secondary School community, who view it as a major victory for transparency and institutional integrity. Supporters maintain that the three members had been targeted for standing against alleged land grabbing, maladministration, and mismanagement of school resources.
With their reinstatement now ordered, the decision is expected to restore stability within the school’s leadership and reinforce the principles of due process and accountability in the management of public educational institutions.
