Former employee drags Alebtong district to court

A former employee of Alebtong local government has dragged the district to court claiming compensation for unlawful dismissal and general damages arising out of his dismissal and loss suffered.

Maxwell Odongo was the district principal planner having been appointed on May 3, 2013 and subsequently confirmed on December 17, 2013.

He claims that he was wrongfully dismissed on July 7, 2015 without giving him any reason or notice or just cause.

In the court documents, a copy seen by New Vision, Odongo alleged that he was prior to his dismissal, interdicted on June 1, 2015 pending investigation that was to take three months but before this, he was summarily dismissed.

Odongo said he was never warned, given neither verbal nor written communication before the interdiction for any misconduct. He said he was never summoned to appear before the District Service Commission to defend himself. 

Through his lawyer, Odonga Otto & Co Advocates, Odongo is seeking for all the benefits he is entitled to upon termination, unpaid salaries during interdiction, general and exemplary damages. 

The case is registered in the Lira High Court under civil suit number 003/2016.

Alebtong Chief Administrative Officer Richard Rich Alloka could not be reached for comment by press time but a letter of withdrawal of appointment seen, dated July 7, 2015, indicated that the District Service Commission sat under minute DSC/166/2015 and directed that the appointment be withdrawn.

In the letter of interdiction dated June 1, 2015, the CAO accused Odongo of failure to perform his duties and culpable behaviour.

The CAO accused Odongo of sneaking in a document in council that caused commotion during a council meeting leading to non-approval of the budget.