Henry Munaaba Dhikusooka, the former principal officer in the Department of Risk and Compliance Management has lost a High Court lawsuit in which he sought to block the disciplinary process against him for acts of breaching the institution’s code of conduct.
Dhikusooka, was dismissed in May 2023 for gross misconduct offences.
Whereas the main suit is yet to be concluded by the same Court, Mr. Dhikusooka, together with other dismissed staff, have since embarked on a smear campaign to undermine the Uganda Bureau of Statistics for their selfish motives.
The main projects being targeted for sabotage by the errant staff are the forthcoming National Population and Housing Census and redevelopment of UBOS Entebbe Offices.
Dhikusooka and his cohort have been peddling fabrications that:
The contract of the Executive Director had expired in March 2023 and, therefore, the Executive Director is in office illegally.
The contracts of the Board Members had expired in June 2023 and, therefore, they are in office illegally.
The US government withdrew funding for the 7th round of Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (IJDHS).
There was nepotism at the Bureau.
There was financial mismanagement at UBOS
Mr Henry Munaaba Dhikusooka was dismissed on grounds of being a whistleblower.
This website has established that:
The contract of the Executive Director Dr Chris Mukiza is still running until next year
The contracts of the Board Members are still running and they are in office legally.
That there were no financial resources withdrawn by the US Government apart from technical support for the 7th Uganda Demographic Health Survey which support was no longer needed by UBOS.
The Uganda Bureau of Statistics is an All Equal Opportunity Employer that hires every qualifying citizen without discrimination.
UBOS leadership is steadfast and focussed on delivering the forthcoming National Population and Housing Census.
Henry Munaaba Dhikusooka, John Mayende, and others were recently dismissed on grounds of gross misconduct offences, but not for being whistleblowers as they claim.
The Bureau adheres to national laws, guidelines and procedures while executing her mandate of developing, producing and disseminating official statistics, as well as supervising and monitoring the National Statistical System.
The Bureau is guided by the institution’s Human Resource Manual and Public Service Standing orders during staff recruitment, staff development, performance management, enforcing code of conduct and staff retirement.
Ruling
In his ruling, Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Jameson Karemani said the purpose of the temporary injunction was to preserve the status quo, which had changed with Dhikusooka’s sacking.
Karemani cited Mukiza’s defence that “the status quo prevailing is that Dhikusooka has already undergone disciplinary proceedings, and hence there is no status quo to maintain.”
Karemani further said, “There is a report annexed to the affidavit in reply to the extent that a disciplinary committee sat on May 4, 2023, but the applicant did not attend despite being summoned,” and that the “Committee made its decision and recommended dismissal.”
Karemani said Dhikusooka’s refusal to appear for a disciplinary hearing “was not controverted by any evidence in rejoinder to prove otherwise. The status quo has already changed.”
The registrar added: “Even in the main suit, the remedy sought is a permanent injunction restraining the respondent or defendant from holding the disciplinary proceedings. The same proceedings have been held as per the report annexed to the affidavit in reply.”
“In Otimang & 2 Ors vs Eastern Mining Ltd (Supra) it was held that the injunction should be sought before the event. That it cannot be granted where the status quo has changed. Since there is no status quo to maintain. In the circumstances, I need not venture into the other elements. The application is accordingly dismissed with costs,” ruled Karemani.