UCU students match in support of the expelled students. Court has ordered the university to pay the duo Shs10m each and also allow them complete their course. Courtesy photo.
The case between Uganda Christian University (UCU) and its expelled students finally came to an end after close to two years with the former losing the case.
Mukono High Court judge, Justice Margaret Mutonyi in her ruling said the two students; Yasin Sentumbwe Munagomba and Simon Semuwemba were expelled without being given a fair hearing as the rules of natural justice demand.
“The minutes of the proceedings that led to the expulsion of Sentumbwe and Semuwemba shows that the university did not observe the principals of natural justice at all. They were not accorded a fair trial because there is no evidence on record against them,” she ruled.
She further added that the punishment was high ended in that it was aimed at destroying the future of the two students as well as create fear into the student fraternity.
Mutonyi thus ordered UCU to compensate the duo with Shs10 million each and also reinstate the two to conclude their law courses.
At the time of their expulsion on April 20, 2016, the two law students were in their third year.
Semuwemba at the time of his expulsion was the president of UCU law society.
The two were expelled for allegedly being the masterminds of demonstrations against the 15 per cent tuition increment.
The tuition was increased by Shs226,000, the development fee was also increased from Shs282,000 to Shs430,000, examination fees from sh. 63,000 to Shs80,000 and library fee from Shs70,000 to Shs77,000.
This was the first protest at the university in over 19 years.
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