A lawyer has sought a six-month jail term for bosses of Exodus Co-operative Savings and Credit Society (SACCO) over the compulsory enrolment of Uganda Police Force officers into the savings scheme and alleged unlawful salary deductions.
The High Court in Kampala in July ruled that serving Uganda Police officers cannot be forced to join the Police Exodus SACCO.
The court also declared that the practice of automatically enrolling recruits and deducting money from their salaries without consent violates the constitutional right to freedom of association.
However, in his application to the civil division of the High Court in Kampala, lawyer Steven Kalali says despite a decision by the court, there has been continued deductions by the Exodus sacco on police officers' saalries which he says is illegal and a violation of the court order.
"The respondent and its managing officials despite being aware of the existence of the court verdict and orders declaring monthly deductions on salaries unlawful still in utter abuse of this court orders went ahead and in the month of July as well as August 2026 and deducted salaries of the affected Police officers without their informed consent after the decision that was passed against the respondent on the 15th July 2026 in total violation of the court orders," Kalali says in his affidavit.
Exodus copperative savings and credit society has been listed as the respondent.
In his application, lawyer Kalali argues that court orders ought to be respected and once in existence no party or person ought to be allowed to disregard the same, adding that the July, 2026 orders by the High Court were self-executing and the right to freedom of association and salary entitlement as well as practice one's profession are very pivotal/very fundamental in a free and democratic society.
He avers that Exodus sacco has no just cause whatsoever for continuously violating the same through its officials top management.
"There is need to protect the sanctity of court and respect for its orders and the respondent unless barred through serious sanctions will continue to disrespect court orders and with impunity which warrants award of general and exemplary damages."
As part of his evidence, the lawyer has presented a response from the office of the Attorney General indicating that Police management was guided on how to implement the said judgement and orders in regards deductions on officers' salaries.
"In particlualr, approprate guidance has been communicated to the Uganda Police Force requiring strict compliance with the orders of the court and ensuring that the constitutional right of serving police officers are respected and protected, " the letter signed by Martin Mwambutsya on behalf on the Solicitor General reads in part.
Orders
Lawyer Kalali now wants court to order that Exodus sacco is in contempt of court for continued forceful salary deductions .
He wants court to give a six-month jail term to Exodus Sacco's chairperson, secretary and Chief Executive Officer for contempt of court.
The lawyer also wants court to order Exodus sacco to pay shs200 million in general and aggravated damages as well as costs for the case.