The High Court in Kampala has fixed June 29 to deliver its ruling on an application by former Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) Chief Executive Officer Alhaj Kaddunabbi Ibrahim Lubega seeking interim orders that would allow him to remain in office pending the determination of his substantive case challenging the decision not to renew his contract.
Justice Joyce Kavuma of the Civil Division set the ruling date on Monday after lawyers representing the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and Mr Kaddunabbi informed the court that they had complied with earlier directions and filed all the necessary responses and submissions.
‘The ruling for interim orders will be on June 29,’ Justice Kavuma said.
The application arises from a dispute over the Authority’s decision not to recommend Mr Kaddunabbi for reappointment to a second five-year term as Chief Executive Officer.
In affidavits filed before the court, the Insurance Regulatory Authority and its former Board chairman, Dr Isaac Nkote Nabeta, argue that there is no contract left for the court to preserve because Mr Kaddunabbi’s five-year term expired on May 31, 2026.
Through their lawyers from Dentons Advocates led by counsel John Musiime, the respondents contend that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has already appointed Mr Protazio Sande as Acting Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2026, rendering the interim relief sought by Mr Kaddunabbi legally untenable.
According to Ms Francesca N. Kakooza, the Authority’s Board Secretary, Mr Kaddunabbi’s contract was a fixed-term engagement running from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2026, and automatically expired by operation of law.
She states that on April 29, 2026, the current Board Chairperson, Mr Keto Nyapendi Kayemba, directed Mr Kaddunabbi to proceed on his outstanding leave and undertake a formal handover process ahead of the expiry of his contract.
The Authority says the handover process has since been completed and that Mr Sande has assumed office as Acting Chief Executive Officer.
IRA further argues that granting the interim orders sought by Mr Kaddunabbi would create confusion within the regulator by effectively placing two individuals in the position of Chief Executive Officer at the same time.
According to the Authority, such a scenario would undermine governance structures, create uncertainty over the management of public resources, and negatively affect the operations of Uganda’s insurance regulator.
The dispute stems from a Board resolution made on February 16, 2026, declining to recommend Mr Kaddunabbi to the Finance Minister for reappointment.
The Authority says the decision was informed by findings from internal reviews and audits that raised concerns regarding governance and financial management.
In response, Mr Kaddunabbi filed a judicial review application challenging the Board’s decision, arguing that it was illegal, irrational and procedurally unfair.
He seeks declarations quashing the decision and orders restraining the Authority from implementing it.
Mr Kaddunabbi contends that he was denied a fair hearing before the Board reached its decision, despite consistently receiving outstanding performance evaluations and meeting all requirements for reappointment.
He also argues that he had a legitimate expectation of being fairly considered for another term after serving the regulator for more than a decade.
Court records indicate that Mr Kaddunabbi formally applied for renewal of his contract on May 28, 2025, in line with the Authority’s Human Resource Management Manual and the Insurance Act.
In support of his application, he submitted reports highlighting achievements registered during his tenure, including growth in insurance premiums, increased claims settlements, expansion of regional operations, construction of Insurance Tower, automation of regulatory functions, and implementation of key sector reforms.
While acknowledging his eligibility for consideration, the Authority maintains that qualification for reappointment did not amount to an automatic entitlement to a second term.
Court documents show that Mr Kaddunabbi joined the insurance regulator in 2011 as Chief Executive Officer of the former Uganda Insurance Commission before it transitioned into the Insurance Regulatory Authority.
Following amendments to the Insurance Act in 2017 introducing term limits for chief executive officers, he was appointed under the new legal framework to serve a five-year term beginning in June 2021.
If his earlier service is taken into account, Mr Kaddunabbi has served a combined total of 16 years at the helm of Uganda’s insurance regulator.
The court’s forthcoming ruling on the interim application is expected to determine whether he can temporarily reclaim the office as the main judicial review case proceeds.