Ex-Govt printery boss demands sh360m benefits

Oct 28, 2013

The former managing director of the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation(UPPC) Elizabeth Bakaawa Sekabembe, has petitioned court, demanding sh360m as balance of her retirement benefits.On October 23, she filed a suit at the civil division of the High Court in Kampala.Part of the money also in

By Andate Okanya

The former managing director of the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation(UPPC) Elizabeth Bakaawa Sekabembe, has petitioned court, demanding sh360m as balance of her retirement benefits.

On October 23, she filed a suit at the civil division of the High Court in Kampala.Part of the money also includes sh17.7m balance of her gratuity, general damages, interest plus costs of the suit .

Sekabembe alleges that UPPC has deliberately refused to pay her, saying it has caused her suffering.

"The plaintiff shall contend that she had planned to use the same to have a fresh start after retirement," the plaint states.

Through Kwesigabo, Bamwine, and Walubiri Advocates. Sekabembe states that by a letter dated June 17, 1994, she was appointed deputy managing director.

Court documents show that in letters dated March 28, 1995, February 22, 1999, and March 17, 1999, she was appointed acting managing director.

Documents also show that in letters dated November 24, 2000, and December 2, 2004, she was appointed substantive managing director. Sekabembe accepted the appointment in a letter dated January 1, 2005.

Subsequently, in two letters dated July 4, 2005, and December 22, 2005, she was informed of the terms and conditions of her position.
Documents further show that in a letter dated March 17, 2011, she notified the UPPC board that she was about to be 60 on September 7, 2011.
Sekabembe requested for early retirement and demanded that her sh524m retirement package be arranged.

However, in a letter dated August 23, 2011, she was retained to continue in the position for one year with effect from September 8, 2011.
In a letter dated October 19, 2011, Sekabembe requested for her terminal benefits. It was endorsed by the board.

In a letter dated July 2, 2012, she requested for payment of all her outstanding retirement benefits before her contract term ended.
She states that she only received sh208m for terminal benefits, and sh4.5m for gratuity. Accordingly, her lawyers in a letter dated May 14, 2013, addressed to UPPC, and demanded payment, contained in a notice of intention to sue.

The lawyers claim the demand was ignored. Sekabembe wants UPPC to be compelled to pay a 25% interest on the sh360m from September 7, 2011 till full payment.

Court's civil division registrar Tadeo Asiimwe, has ordered UPPC to file its defence within 15 days from the date of receipt of the summons.
In the summons dated October 24, 2013, UPPC has been cautioned to heed, lest judgement is passed without its input.

The case file has been allocated to Justice Yasin Nyanzi. However, a hearing date is yet to be fixed.
 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});