news 12 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
High Court Awards UCU Law Student Shs100 Million Over Disputed Credit Transfer
The High Court in Kampala has awarded a former Uganda Christian University (UCU) law student Shs100 million after ruling that the institution acted irrationally and breached her legitimate expectation regarding academic credit transfer. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/high-court-awards-ucu-law-student-shs100-million-over-disputed-credit-transfer-5494474
A significant legal victory has been secured by a former law student of Uganda Christian University (UCU), who has been awarded Shs100 million in damages. The High Court ruled that UCU acted unfairly and irrationally in its handling of the student’s academic credit transfer from King’s College London.
Justice Bernard Namanya, delivering the judgment electronically, found that UCU had initially admitted Samantha Mwesigye based on credits earned in the UK. However, as her graduation approached, the university reversed this decision, demanding she complete additional courses and obtain a certificate of equivalence from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Mwesigye, who had completed her first year of law studies in the UK before joining UCU in 2022, argued through her lawyers that the university’s stance was unlawful and unreasonable. UCU contended that the student had not met all academic requirements, but the court sided with Mwesigye.
The judge highlighted that UCU’s own admission letter acknowledged the credit transfer. “The respondent recognised the applicant’s transfer of credits… at the time of admission in 2022, but later and without rational basis purported to withdraw that recognition in 2026 when the applicant was on the verge of graduation,” the ruling stated.
Furthermore, the court noted that the requirement for an NCHE certificate was not communicated at the time of admission and could not be imposed retrospectively. Mwesigye had progressed through her studies, even being cleared for guild leadership, indicating satisfactory academic standing.
Justice Namanya concluded that UCU’s actions violated the constitutional guarantee of fair administrative treatment. While not interfering with the university’s academic mandate, the court determined the decision-making process was unlawful and procedurally improper, leading to the substantial damages award for the inconvenience and unfair treatment suffered by the student. The award will attract interest, and UCU was also ordered to cover the legal costs.