Mbale City fined Shs 10m, ordered to reinstate medical officer

What the report says

The High Court in Mbale has ordered Mbale City Local Government to reinstate Dr Yassin Makonje at Namatala Health Centre IV after finding that disciplinary action against him was unlawful and denied him a fair hearing, according to The Observer. Justice Farouq Lubega also awarded Makonje Shs 10 million in general damages and directed the city to pay the costs of the case.

The newspaper reported that Makonje was interdicted on September 24, 2025, over allegations including demanding money from patients, poor relations with colleagues and involvement in a public fight. He later challenged the process in court, saying he was not given full details of the accusations, investigation reports or committee records needed to defend himself. Mbale City Local Government and then town clerk Abirebe Assy Tumwesigye argued that the disciplinary steps complied with the law.

Justice Lubega found that the city failed to show evidence that Makonje had been given a proper hearing, and also said the interdiction lasted longer than allowed under the Public Service Standing Orders. The court further ruled that withdrawing his additional duties and allowance of Shs 2.8 million a month, as well as transferring him to Nakaloke Health Centre III, were unlawful in the circumstances.

The ruling also ordered the expunging of adverse remarks from his employment record and barred the city from relying on the disputed disciplinary actions. More broadly, the case highlights the legal requirement for public employers to follow formal procedures and gradual discipline before imposing severe sanctions.