The High Court has pushed the hearing of a case filed by outgoing Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Kaddunabbi Lubega to June 12, 2026, after directing parties to file written submissions.
Presiding judge Justice Joyce Kavuma instructed Kaddunabbi’s lawyers to submit their arguments by June 5, while the IRA and its former Board Chairperson, Dr. Isaac Nkote Nabeta, were given up to June 10 to file their responses.
The judge said court will then give further directions on how the matter will proceed when the parties return on June 12.
Through their lawyers led by John Musiime, IRA and Dr. Nkote want Kaddunabbi’s case dismissed, arguing that it has been overtaken by events.
In affidavits filed before the High Court, they contend that Kaddunabbi’s contract expired on May 31, 2026, effectively ending his tenure and rendering his application moot.
They further informed court that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has since appointed Protazio Sande as Acting Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2026.
According to IRA, this development makes the interim orders sought by Kaddunabbi legally untenable.
Francesca Kakooza, the Secretary to the IRA Board, stated in her affidavit that Kaddunabbi’s employment contract was for a fixed five-year term running from June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2026, and automatically expired by operation of law.
She added that prior to the expiry, the Board had directed him to proceed on accumulated leave and begin a formal handover process to ensure continuity at the Authority.
Court heard that the handover has since been completed and that Sande has already assumed office. They warned that granting Kaddunabbi’s application would create an impractical situation where two individuals claim authority as Chief Executive Officer of the same statutory body, potentially disrupting governance structures and creating uncertainty in the management of public resources.
The dispute stems from a February 16, 2026 decision by the IRA Board declining to recommend Kaddunabbi for reappointment for another five-year term.
Following this decision, Kaddunabbi filed a judicial review application challenging the Board’s actions, arguing that the decision was illegal, irrational and procedurally unfair.
He contends that he was denied a fair hearing before the Board reached its conclusion, despite having consistently received strong performance ratings and meeting the requirements for reappointment.
Kaddunabbi also argues that he had a legitimate expectation to be considered fairly for a second term after serving the Authority for more than a decade.
He is now seeking court declarations that the Board acted unlawfully, as well as orders to quash its decision and block its implementation.
However, the IRA maintains that eligibility for renewal does not guarantee reappointment. The Authority argues that both the Board and the Minister retain discretion under the law to determine whether a chief executive should be reappointed after considering various factors.
IRA also point to governance and financial concerns that emerged during internal reviews, as well as findings contained in an Auditor General’s report dated May 15, 2026. They state that Kaddunabbi was given an opportunity to respond to these concerns, including appearing before the Board on May 25, before it reaffirmed its earlier decision.
Additionally, the Authority told court that some of the issues raised have attracted further scrutiny, including investigations by the Criminal Investigations Directorate, and that public interest considerations weigh against allowing him to remain in office.
Dr. Nkote, in his affidavit, denied allegations of bias or personal involvement in frustrating Kaddunabbi’s reappointment, maintaining that all actions taken were in execution of his official duties as Board Chairperson and were based on collective decisions of the Board.
