Five former members of the Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Islands Uganda Limited have filed a case in the High Court in Kampala challenging their expulsion from the service organisation, arguing that the disciplinary process that led to their removal was illegal, unfair and contrary to both constitutional standards and the club’s internal rules.
The applicants—Lawyers Ronald Samuel Wanda and Robert Byamukama, alongside Nelson Turyatemba, John Martin Sekwe and Gladys Edwards Namala—are suing the club together with its leadership, including President Deborah Itwau Ongwech, Board Chairperson Dr. Canon Charles Kahigiriza, Acting Board Secretary Bernard Ochan, and members of the Disciplinary Committee chaired by Medard Muganzi.
Others named in the suit include committee members Julianne Mweheire, Nelson Kabwama, Laura Orobia, Leonard Babwetera Kashagama and Ivan Kasambeko.
In their application before the Civil Division of the High Court, the former Rotarians argue that their expulsion letters dated April 28, 2026 were issued after proceedings they describe as procedurally defective, biased, and conducted in violation of their constitutional rights. They cite alleged breaches of fair hearing, equality before the law, freedom of expression, freedom of association, and fair administrative justice.
At the centre of the dispute is an internal disagreement linked to succession politics within the club. According to court documents, Ronald Samuel Wanda nominated Ivan Kasambeko in November 2025 to contest for the club presidency for the 2028–2029 Rotary year, a move that reportedly triggered opposition within sections of the leadership.
Wanda alleges that Medard Muganzi, who chaired the disciplinary committee, openly challenged the nomination in a club WhatsApp group, escalating tensions. He further contends that in responding to repeated questioning, he used a phrase he describes as figurative speech, which was later used against him in disciplinary proceedings.
Another strand of the case involves Nelson Turyatemba, who is accused of circulating a media article relating to President Deborah Itwau Ongwech in the club’s online forum. The applicants say this later led to criminal proceedings for offensive communication, an offence they argue has since been invalidated by constitutional interpretation.
Court filings indicate that the five were suspended on February 14, 2026, removed from official communication platform (WhatsApp Group), and barred from attending club activities even before they were formally informed of the allegations against them. Wanda further claims he was not aware of any complaint at the time of suspension and only learned of the charges days later.
He also alleges that the disciplinary action proceeded without prior approval of the Management Board and that Medard Muganzi, who was directly involved in the complaint, also participated in the adjudication process—something the applicants say violated the principle that no one should judge a matter in which they have an interest.
Although Wanda lodged an appeal with Board Chairperson Dr. Canon Charles Kahigiriza shortly after the suspension, he argues that it was dismissed within days, leaving him to face the same disciplinary structures he believed were compromised.
The applicants further claim that during the disciplinary hearings, their lawyers, including Eron Kiiza and Kakuru Tumusiime, were denied the opportunity to fully represent them, despite provisions in the club’s internal regulations allowing legal representation. They also allege that requests to call key witnesses, including senior club officials and the Chief Executive Officer, were rejected.
Additional concerns raised in the suit include claims that the disciplinary committee was improperly constituted at various stages, with fewer members than required under the club’s bylaws, and that some members were not formally approved through the club’s governance structures.
Despite these allegations, the governance framework of Rotary International allows local clubs broad authority to discipline or terminate members under specific conditions, including misconduct, failure to meet membership qualifications, or non-attendance, provided due process is observed.
The former members are now seeking court orders declaring their expulsion null and void, reinstatement into the club, and compensation in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages, along with interest and costs of the suit.
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