Escala Associated Advocates founding partner and also the Uganda Law Society head of ideology Yasin Sentumbwe Mungomba is among the many students and lawyers who celebrated Uganda Christian University’s Court defeat from its own student.
Ssentumbwe told Ono Bwino that for years, UCU students including himself went through a lot unfairness to reach the graduation list.
He praised Samantha Mwesigye a former university guild president for the example she set by contesting in court the harsh university decision against her which was creating a dangerous mark on her studies.
“In 2016, I and my colleague Simon Semuwemba were expelled from the university without a fair hearing. Through our well capable lawyers led by senior counsel Isaac Ssemakadde, we secured a win and we graduated. I’m encouraging students to learn from Mwesigye and stop sitting on their rights,” Ssentumbwe said.
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Last week, justice Bernard Namanya of the Civil Division held that UCU breached Mwesigye’s legitimate expectation after admitting her to its Bachelor of Laws programme in 2022 on the basis of academic credits she got from King’s College London, only to raise fresh requirements as she prepared to graduate.
Mwesigye’s first year of law studies at King’s College London in the United Kingdom, where she successfully completed several modules before seeking admission to UCU who admitted her under a transfer of credits arrangement and allowed her to proceed directly to Semester Two of Year One.
However, after completing the four-year law programme where she was expected to graduate in July 2026, the university informed her that she had to undertake four additional courses including introduction to the Bible, Legal Writing, Fundamentals of Criminal Law and Constitutional History and also produce a certificate of equivalence from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) for the credits earned in the United Kingdom.
The judge stated that Mwesigye was cleared to contest for and serve as guild president, a position whose eligibility requirements included scrutiny of academic records. She was later even introduced to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs as a student awaiting graduation during her internship placement.
He added that these actions by the university reinforced Mwesigye’s belief that her academic status had been fully regularised and that the transferred credits had been accepted.
Ssentumbwe who is also on frontline representing maverick lawyer Male Mabirizi and victims of the ongoing NEMA evictions praised Mwesigye for exhibiting maturity in leadership by serving students and demand accountability.
“As someone who walked a similar path in Sentumbwe Yasin Munagomba & Anor vs. Uganda Christian University (Miscellaneous Cause No. 22 of 2017) [2018] UGHCCD 210, I know the courage it takes to stand against such administrative action. Your case, ably argued by Kampala Associated Advocates, has strengthened the jurisprudence on legitimate expectation, procedural fairness, and consistency for all students in Uganda,” Ssentumbwe said
Ssentumbwe was found by the university to be guilty of behaving in a manner that damaged the image of UCU when he allegedly participated in a demonstration on UCU premises on April 20 2016 without informing the vice chancellor in advance and without obtaining approval and police permission.
He was also found guilty of insubordination and being disrespectful when he refused to undergo a security check after he was called for a disciplinary hearing.
He fervently denied any involvement in the above-mentioned demo despite, according to the university, evidence availed.
During the disciplinary committee appearance, Yasin opted for silence to any questions regarding his involvement, which the Committee found disrespectful and a waste of time
Semuwemba was also found guilty of using abusive language against the vice chancellor when he uttered “you Senyonyi, first put off your arrogance and address us” in front of the principal’s hall on April 20, 2016, which contradicts that university’s Code of Conduct.
He was also found guilty of spreading false and libelous information about the university to students and threatening to resort to other measures in a letter written to the director of students affairs on April 20, 2016 and that he informed the Committee members of how he intends to appeal to the speaker of Parliament of Uganda, write to the university chancellor and use the press to resolve his concerns contrary to university conduct handbook.
His action were seen by the university as inciting others to riot and breach peace contrary to the institution’s regulations.
