UNGUKA BANK Plc vs UTUJE

UNGUKA BANK Plc vs UTUJE

Payment of compensation equivalent to the notice period, including double compensation when dismissal occurs during maternity leave, satisfies the legal requirements for termination of employment. Therefore, the dismissal was not unlawful, and the employee is not entitled to additional damages.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RSOCA 00062/2021/HC/KIG CMB RSOCA 00083/2021/HC/KIG
Parties
Appellant: UNGUKA BANK Plc; Respondent: UTUJE NYIRAGASHAPURE Alice
Court
High Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
1 August 2023
Case Number
RSOCA 00062/2021/HC/KIG CMB RSOCA 00083/2021/HC/KIG
Procedural Posture
Labour Appeal / High Court Appellate
Outcome
Appeal by Unguka Bank Plc allowed; cross-appeal by Utuje Nyiragashapure Alice dismissed.
Legal Topics
Termination of Employment, Notice Period, Compensation in Lieu of Notice, Dismissal During Maternity Leave, Damages for Unlawful Dismissal
Labour Law Termination of Employment Notice Period Compensation in Lieu of Notice Dismissal During Maternity Leave Damages for Unlawful Dismissal

Source-derived case record

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Parties

UNGUKA BANK Plc

Appellant

UTUJE NYIRAGASHAPURE Alice

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Labour Appeal / High Court Appellate

  1. 1 Whether payment of compensation in lieu of notice is sufficient compliance with the law when notice is not given in writing
  2. 2 Whether dismissal during maternity leave is unlawful under Rwandan law
  3. 3 Whether the employee was entitled to additional damages for alleged unlawful dismissal

Ratio Decidendi

Payment of compensation equivalent to the notice period, including double compensation when dismissal occurs during maternity leave, satisfies the legal requirements for termination of employment. Therefore, the dismissal was not unlawful, and the employee is not entitled to additional damages.

Court Disposition

Appeal by Unguka Bank Plc allowed; cross-appeal by Utuje Nyiragashapure Alice dismissed.

Orders

  • All damages previously awarded to Utuje Nyiragashapure Alice are set aside.
  • Utuje Nyiragashapure Alice to pay Unguka Bank Plc RWF 1,000,000 for legal costs and attorney fees.