Kampala, Uganda: The Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (IRA) has appointed Dr Protazio Sande as Acting Chief Executive Officer following the expiry of Alhaj Dr Ibrahim Kaddunabbi Lubega’s contract, deepening an increasingly bitter leadership dispute that has now spilled into the courts.
In a statement released on Monday, the IRA Board of Directors announced that Dr Sande, the substantive Director of Strategy and Market Development, assumed the role of Acting CEO effective June 1, 2026.
The appointment, made under Clause 6.11(h) of the Authority’s Human Capital Management Manual (2023), follows the automatic expiration of Dr Kaddunabbi’s five-year employment contract on May 31.
However, the leadership transition comes against the backdrop of a high-stakes legal battle that could shape the future leadership of Uganda’s insurance sector regulator.
Dr Kaddunabbi, who has served as IRA Chief Executive Officer for 16 years, has since petitioned the Civil Division of the High Court seeking judicial review of the Board’s decision not to recommend him for a contract renewal.
Through his lawyers, Arcadia Advocates, Kaddunabbi argues that the Board’s February 16, 2026, decision was reached without according him a fair hearing.
He further contends that term limits introduced under the Insurance Act, 2017, cannot be applied retrospectively to deny him an opportunity for contract renewal.
In his application, Kaddunabbi cites achievements registered during his tenure, including growth in insurance penetration, expansion of the industry’s regulatory framework and digital transformation initiatives within the sector.
Board Pushes Back
The IRA and former Board Chairperson Dr Isaac Nkote Nabeta, represented by Dentons Advocates, have asked the High Court to dismiss the application with costs.
According to court filings, the regulator argues that Kaddunabbi’s application has effectively been overtaken by events following the expiry of his contract.
The Board has also cited governance concerns raised in an Auditor General’s report dated May 15, 2026.
According to documents filed before court, the report allegedly highlighted unauthorized salary enhancements amounting to Shs337 million, irregular staff recruitment expenditures of Shs647 million and unapproved leave monetization payments during Kaddunabbi’s tenure.
The Board further maintains that the decision not to recommend a contract extension was reached through a majority vote of five members against three.
The dispute took a fresh turn on Monday after the IRA reportedly issued a cease-and-desist notice against Kaddunabbi, accusing him of unlawfully accessing the regulator’s premises and attempting to exercise authority over staff despite the expiry of his contract.
In submissions before court, IRA lawyer John Musiime argued that granting Kaddunabbi’s application would create uncertainty within the regulator.
According to the Authority, such an outcome could result in two individuals simultaneously claiming executive authority over the institution and its resources.
As the legal contest unfolds, the Board has expressed confidence in Dr Sande’s ability to provide continuity and stability at the regulator.
A respected insurance and financial sector professional, Sande has been part of IRA’s senior management team and is expected to oversee operations pending resolution of the dispute and any subsequent recruitment process.
The leadership uncertainty comes at a critical time for Uganda’s insurance sector, which continues to pursue reforms aimed at increasing insurance penetration, strengthening consumer protection and expanding financial inclusion.
Court to Decide Next Move
Justice Joyce Kavuma has directed both parties to file final written submissions and scheduled June 12, 2026 for further directions.
The court’s eventual ruling could determine not only the future of Dr Kaddunabbi’s challenge but also clarify broader questions surrounding contract renewals, governance and leadership succession within Uganda’s statutory authorities.
Until then, the IRA remains under interim leadership as one of the country’s most closely watched regulatory disputes continues to unfold.
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