The Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (IRA) Chief Executive Officer, Alhaj Kaddunabbi Ibrahim Lubega has urged the judiciary to embrace insurance to enhance institutional efficiency and resilience.
Speaking at the 26th Annual Judges Conference at Mestil Hotel, in Kampala on February 6, 2025, Alhaj Kaddunabbi shared insights into Uganda’s insurance industry, its operations and performance, and emphasized that insurance plays a critical role in dispute resolutions and the general economic development.
In a session chaired by Justice Moses Kazibwe, the Justice of the Court of Appeal, Alhaj Kaddunabbi underscored the Authority’s mandate to receive and resolve insurance complaints from the public, arbitrate disputes, and grant restitution where necessary.
“We fully understand that insurance contracts may lead to some disagreement and require arbitration. The judiciary can leverage Authority’s regulatory expertise in interpreting complex insurance policies so as to align judicial decisions with industry standards. The Authority is eager to collaborate with you to facilitate well-informed rulings that accurately reflect the industry,” Alhaj Kaddunabbi.
He applauded the judiciary’s contribution to shaping insurance regulations through landmark judicial decisions, noting that judicial precedents help refine policy terms, improve transparency, and enhance consumer protection.
Judges engaged with Alhaj Kaddunabbi and posed a series of questions including those related to common customer complaints received by the Authority, fraud within the sector, particularly regarding the policies offered, and issues like the fine print in policy documents, among other which he ably addressed.
Alhaj Kaddunabbi proposed areas of collaboration include joint efforts to combat insurance fraud, continuous judicial training on emerging trends in the insurance industry, and strengthening the legal framework governing insurance contracts.
He urged policyholders to always seek resolution through the IRA Complaints Bureau first if they have any disagreements with their insurance service provider. Should any of the parties be dissatisfied with the Bureau’s decision, he said, they can then escalate the matter to the Insurance Appeals Tribunal for arbitration, depending on contractual terms. He explained that this structured approach prevents unnecessary litigation while ensuring justice and efficiency.
He encouraged policyholders to always first seek resolution through the IRA Complaints Bureau if they encounter any issues or disagreement with their insurance provider. “If either party is unsatisfied with the Bureau’s decision, you can escalate the matter to the Insurance Appeals Tribunal for arbitration depending on the terms of the contract, then take to the Courts of law,” he said emphasizing that, “this structured process helps avoid unnecessary litigation while ensuring fairness and efficiency.”
Alhaj Kaddunabbi highlighted a series of reforms and technological advancements aimed at enhancing efficiency and boosting sector performance including transitioning from compliance-based to risk-based supervision, , formulating the National Insurance Policy to drive sector growth, enforcing compulsory local marine insurance to retain capital within the country and overhauling the Motor Third Party Act for better consumer protection.
“The Authority introduced digital insurance stickers and digitizing Motor Third Party (MTP) payments for greater transparency; established a dedicated Anti-Fraud Unit to curb insurance-related fraud, expanded IRA’s presence across the country with regional offices in Mbale, Gulu, and Mbarara to improve service accessibility and digitizing the complaints management system to enhance efficiency in resolving disputes.”