1,236 Former UNRA Staff Sue Government Over Failure to Pay Their Terminal Benefits After Parliament repealed the UNRA Act in 2024, six ex-staff now sue on behalf of 1,236 colleagues for terminal benefits, a courtroom test of government’s rationalisation drive. The case features former boss Allen Kagina and other senior managers, and could trigger payouts if judges find unlawful termination and broken promises.

The Industrial Court has allowed six former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) employees to sue government on behalf of 1,236 former colleagues for recovery of terminal benefits following the agency’s dissolution.

The applicants include Joseph Otim, former director of road maintenance; Christopher Manyindo, former head of road development; and Charles Naita, former chair of the contracts committee and head of rehabilitation.

Others include Philip Kazibwe, a former project formulation engineer; Kevin Ndyanabangi Twebaze; and Nsubuga Mukisa, both former UNRA employees.

The order, granted on August 29, 2025, and sealed September 18, goes ahead and directs the claimants to publish a notice, detailing particulars of the intended suit, including the names on whose behalf the six are acting and UNRA employment identity cards.

The applicants, represented by MMAKS Advocates, say their contracts were unlawfully terminated during the rationalisation that wound up UNRA.

Notably, the list of the represented 1,236 ex-staff includes former executive director Allen C Kagina.

Others include Allan Ssempebwa Kyobe, formerly the media relations and corporate affairs manager, who now works at the Ministry of Works as senior communications officer, and Eng Rubahamya Marcelliano, the former UNRA station manager, Western Region.  

Eng Henry Komakech, former Masaka station manager, Eng Jude Benda Matsiko, former head of technical audit, and Charles K Kizito, former head, corporate strategy in the office of the executive director, among others, are also listed.

The government’s rationalisation of agencies and the public expenditure programme folded UNRA’s functions back into the Ministry of Works, following Parliament’s vote on November 6, 2024, to repeal the UNRA Act.

The implementation was, however, turbulent, with rushed staff hand-overs, disputed benefits, and budget wrangles, which set the stage for litigation over severance and other dues.

After President Museveni assented to the repeal bills, Works Minister Katumba Wamala instructed UNRA staff to hand over property by December 30, 2024, saying appointments “ceased on the date of the gazette” and assured them of terminal benefits after verification.

Budget discussions even flagged about UGX 200 billion for UNRA retrenchment costs, money MPs later questioned and, at one point, delayed.

The class claim will test whether government followed labour laws in dismantling UNRA and whether promises on terminal dues were honoured.

A ruling in favour of the class claim could force a comprehensive payout to the listed former staff, including senior figures such as Ms Kagina, who was recently appointed chairperson of the newly created Technical, Vocational Education and Training Council.