Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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A Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officer has been
awarded Shs100 million
in damages after the High Court found that a colleague defamed him through messages shared on a WhatsApp group.
The case was filed by URA employee Nicholas Jjengo against his colleague James Abola over statements circulated on the organization WhatsApp platform , Jjengo told court that the messages damaged his reputation among colleagues and portrayed him in a negative manner.
The court heard that the disputed messages contained allegations against Jjengo, which he said were false and harmful to his professional image. He argued that the publication affected his standing at work and caused him embarrassment among his peers.
In its ruling, the court found that the statements amounted to defamation, noting that communication through WhatsApp and other digital platforms can carry legal consequences when it harms another person’s reputation.
Justice Isaac Bonny Teko ruled that Abola was liable for the defamatory statements and ordered him to compensate Jjengo for the damage caused.
The court awarded Shs100 million in damages, with Shs70 million given as general damages for injury to reputation and Shs30 million as exemplary damages.
The court also directed that an apology be issued through the same platform where the statements were shared.
The ruling serves as a reminder that social media and messaging platforms, including workplace WhatsApp groups, are not outside the law and users can be held accountable for statements that harm others.
Source: New vision
