RWANDA: Lecturer wins case against varsity

By Jean de la Croix Tabaro.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the National University of Rwanda (NUR) should pay Dr Charles Kiza, a former lecturer, Rwf3m in damages for unfair dismissal.

Kiza was dismissed in November 2009 over allegations that he had absconded from duty and got employed at the President’s office.

The court ruled that the dismissal did not follow legal procedures and ordered NUR to pay Kiza Rwf3,608,818 commensurate to his monthly salary multiplied by six as the law stipulates, plus court charges and legal representation cost.

The court, however, rejected the plea by the plaintiff to be awarded Rwf95 million in damages after he lost his job in the Office of the President.

The trial 

After getting the new job, the don said he told his boss, the then Rector, Prof. Silas Lwakabamba, with whom he verbally agreed that he could seize the opportunity while administrative procedures were to follow. 

The former lecturer said on starting his new job, his faculty asked him to provide information about marks for the second seating exams of his courses, which he responded by e-mail.

Following subsequent communication from the university to the Presidency, Kiza told the court that the Directorate of Cabinet in the Presidency was obliged to send him back to NUR for clearance.

From the university, he was notified that his leave was illegal, resulting in a dismissal.

After this dismissal, the lecturer tried administrative process of pleading for reintegration by his employer and the labour commission.

Frustrated, Kiza filed a case before the Nyanza High Court in 2011 seeking damages.

Source: NT (11/03/2013): http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15293&a=64760