Supreme Court awards retired army doctor sh2.9b

KAMPALA - The Supreme Court has awarded more than sh2.8 billion to Dr. (Rtd) Maj. Anthony Jallon Okullo, who was contracted by the Ministry of Defence in 1988 to provide medical treatment to a rebel leader at the government’s expense.

The case dates back to the aftermath of the peace accord signed between the Government of Uganda and the Uganda People’s Democratic Movement/Army (UPDM/A).

Shortly after the accord, the rebel leader, Lt. Col. Angelo Okello, fell ill. The Ministry of Defence engaged Okullo, a medical practitioner, to provide treatment, with payment to be made at a later date.

The Coram comprising Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza, Christopher Madrama, Elizabeth Musoke and Muzamiru Kibeedi on September 11, 2025, ordered government to pay Okullo compensation for the services he rendered.

Dr Okullo argued that he attended to the patient both within Uganda and abroad, accompanying him to Kigali, Jeddah, Brussels, and Rome, until Okello eventually succumbed to his illness. 

To clarify suspicions that Government had a hand in Okello’s death, the doctor also conducted a post-mortem examination at the state’s request to dispel any suspicion.

Following the services, Dr Okullo submitted two invoices: $68,950 (about sh256.4m at the current exchange rate of sh3,720) for professional fees and $24,200 (about sh90million) for transport, accommodation, and meals while accompanying the patient abroad.

 The total claim stood at $93,150 (sh346.5million). The government agreed to settle the sum with 24% compound interest to account for inflation and delayed payment.

However, the government only paid the principal amount—split into two instalments of sh138.4 million in 2011 and sh94.2 million in 2012—while ignoring the accumulated interest.

This prompted the doctor to file a suit in the High Court seeking recovery of $19.3 million (approx. sh71 billion) in damages for breach of contract, interest, and costs. The trial court ruled in his favour, but the government appealed.

In its final ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the doctor’s claim and ordered government to pay sh2.9 billion in accrued interest and damages and an additional sh500million as general damages.

“The appellant is awarded special damages of $790.262, which accrued as compound interest. The appellant is awarded sh500million as general damages, and the award shall bear simple interest thereon at the rate of 15% per annum, from the date of the judgment of the trial court, until payment is full. The general damages awarded above shall bear simple interest at 6% per annum from the date of the judgment of the trial court, until full payment,” Owiny Dollo said.