Lawpoint Uganda

Actions for redemption of mortgaged land must be commenced within twelve (12) years from the date the cause of action accrues. The Court further clarified that limitation extinguishes not only the remedy but the right itself in actions for recovery or redemption of land.

It was held in the case of Uganda Farmers Meat Co. Limited Vs Fresh Cuts Uganda Ltd (supra) that the burden of proving that equity and good conscience does not demand a refund devolves upon the Defendant who offers such a defence to the claim of the creditor. That it is settled law that once the Plaintiff makes out a prima facie case in his favour, the evidential burden shifts to the Defendant to controvert the Plaintiff’s prima facie case; otherwise, judgment must be entered

The Claimant was removed from the premises partly due to her health status, but the Respondent failed to follow the statutory and judicial procedures governing termination due to ill health. Applying the principle from Stanbic Bank (U) Ltd v Nassanga, the Court held: “Where an employer gives a reason for termination, then it must hold a hearing.” The Claimant was never accorded any disciplinary hearing, rendering the termination procedurally unfair.

The Court established that a finding of matrimonial property is normally associated with the dissolution of a marriage, rather than death. in any event, death would end the marriage and the provisions of the law of succession under Section 2 of the succession act would apply. Court citing the case of Mary Martin V Kakuru Moses and 2 others HCT-11-CV-CS-0036, stated that the land may have become family land at the time the sale was entered into. in the instant case, once a fi

To set aside a decree under Order 36 Rule 11, the Applicant must demonstrate "any other good cause." Claiming a mere oversight or a notification delay, especially when contradicted by reliable system evidence, does not meet this threshold.

The Court relied on the Court of Appeal decision in Nalongo Burashe v Kekitiibwa Magdalena, Civil Appeal No. 89 of 2011, which held that LC II Courts (Parish/Ward Executive Committee Courts) have original jurisdiction in land matters. The Judge found that the Court of Appeal decision overrides earlier conflicting High Court decisions. Therefore, LC II Courts do retain original jurisdiction in land matters.

The Court found that ULC had absolutely no power to rescind a lease once it had been registered under the RTA. “Once the respondent issues a lease and the lease is registered on the title, the respondent does not have the powers to rescind or cancel that lease.”...“There are procedures by which land under the RTA may be de-registered… Failure to comply renders the decision a nullity.”

To successfully raise an alibi, the defense must effectively demonstrate that the accused had no opportunity to commit the crime. A simple denial is insufficient against compelling circumstantial evidence.

The Court examined Article 239 of the Constitution (ULC functions) Section 51(3) of the Land Act (only the Secretary conducts ULC correspondence) Minute 20-2 of 31st March 2015 The minute clearly indicated the application was deferred, not approved. The letters (PE3 and PE7) from the ULC Chairperson were held invalid because they violated s.51(3) of the Land Act: “I find that the communication through the two letters by the Chairperson of the Commission, PE3 and PE7, were i

While citing Section 136 (6) of the Children Act Cap 62, which states that a child shall not be remanded in an adult prison, court declared the trial of the applicant illegal and discontinued all criminal proceedings against him. This was because the applicant AJ, A6 on the indictment was remanded in prison on November 11, 2024 and he had been held in the two Ugandan government prisons of Kisoro and Ndorwa, in Kisoro and Kabale districts respectively.

The Court held that the petitioner did not fall within the exception set out by the Supreme Court's ruling in Kabaziguruka that allowed for the retrospective application of the unconstitutionality finding, as her conviction and sentence were no longer "being challenged in a court of law" within the context of the military justice system or its ordinary appeals.

“The 28 days within which the Plaintiff was supposed to take out summons for directions have since elapsed. Therefore, the Plaintiff did not comply with the mandatory provision of Order 11A, Rule 1 (2) of the Civil Procedure Rules.”

The Court examined whether the bank breached its fiduciary obligations when it acted on the order. In doing so, it adopted both English and Ugandan jurisprudence on freezing and garnishee orders, particularly the landmark decision in Customs & Excise Commissioners v Barclays Bank Plc, later followed by the Supreme Court of Uganda in Arim v Stanbic.“A bank’s relationship with its customers is subject to the law of the land… It seems to me in the final analysis unjust and unrea

The Court found that the trial judge erred when he concluded that the Respondent was a bona fide occupant within the meaning of the land law framework. The Court emphasized that bona fide occupancy is strictly defined by statute, including the cut-off dates for occupation. This observation confirms that occupation commencing in 1993 falls outside the statutory protections accorded to bona fide occupants. The Court therefore held that the trial judge misapplied the law by exte

A local government claiming pre-independence customary grant (1915) must produce credible evidence of (a) actual alienation by the colonial authorities or recognised customary grant and (b) continuous utilisation. Mere oral tradition and long use by parish chiefs was held insufficient when contradicted by documentary evidence of private inheritance.

The Court cited the statutory position that: “Where the enforcement of a security interest is commenced by a secured creditor other than the secured creditor whose right has priority over that of the enforcing creditor, the secured creditor shall be entitled to take over the enforcement at any time before the sale of the collateral.” The Court further observed that lodging a caveat promptly—as was done on 18th August 2022—solidifies a creditor’s priority under the Security I

The court found the 2018 customary marriage void ab initio under Section 11(e), which voids any customary marriage where "one of the parties has previously contracted a monogamous marriage which is still subsisting." The provision "is clear, unambiguous, and operates automatically by force of law" and "does not require any decree of court to render such a marriage void." Citing Elizabeth Nalumansi Wamala v. Tolly Kasande, the court noted: "void marriages are treated as non-ex

The court found that the contradictory locations of signing (Rakai, Rwanda, Kisoro) undermined credibility. The appellant’s own witnesses conceded that the land was family land already sold earlier to the respondent. The court held that no beneficiary of the late Bahenga Yesaya could pass title without letters of administration. “Any right to the intestate’s property can only be established when letters of administration are granted by court.” — Buzandora Charles v Ndiroheye

"The catch phrase under Section 290h-4 (a) (1) & (2) of the USADF ACT /ADF ACT U.S Code Title 22, Chapter 71, is that the African Development Foundation, as a body corporate, can sue or be sued in any court of competent jurisdiction. My understanding of this provision is that, the use of the words 'any court of competent jurisdiction' in the enactment provision which establishes the African Development Foundation is a symbolisation of an expression of lack of restriction in f

The Court reiterated that in applications for enlargement of time, the decisive consideration is whether the litigant has taken affirmative steps to correct procedural mistakes and actively pursue their rights. Courts must assess whether parties or their advocates have demonstrated diligence in curing defects. Ultimately, the Court underscored that the judicial system exists to safeguard the rule of law and prevent conflicts,especially in land matters within the Kabale circui

Under section 199 of the Succession Act, a surviving spouse ordinarily has the first right to be appointed administrator. However, this right is not absolute and may be limited by considerations of impartiality, competence, or fairness to other beneficiaries.

Revision is not a substitute for appeal or review. It targets only jurisdictional excesses or material irregularities causing "failure of justice." Mere evidentiary defects (e.g., affidavit authorization) do not suffice unless they vitiate the court's power to act. Litigants should prioritize appeals for such issues to avoid summary dismissal.

“For one to claim an interest in land, he or she must show that he or she acquired an interest or title from someone who previously had an interest or title thereon.”

“The interpretation of contracts is essential in ensuring that parties understand the rights and obligations outlined within the agreement. When disputes arise, the court’s primary objective is to ascertain the intention of the parties based on the language used in the contract.”