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This blog does not contain legal advice. The legal information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based on such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. Authors are liable for any plagiarism and Lawpoint Uganda won`t have liability towards the same.


High Court Grants Eviction Order for Vacant Possession Post-Mortgage Foreclosure, Affirming that Eviction and Possession Orders Do Not Extinguish Substantive Claims of Fraud, Illegality, or Ownership.
a statute “is not passed in a vacuum, but in a framework of circumstances, so as to give a remedy for a known state of affairs.”
The court emphasised that the purpose of the Mortgage Act is not to furnish borrowers with technical loopholes to stall repayment but to balance borrower protections with the lender’s legitimate right to prompt enforcement. Technical breaches should not be elevated above the broader policy goals of market stability, efficient debt recovery, and sup

Waboga David
Sep 21, 20258 min read


The Court of Appeal of Uganda has upheld the High Court's decision on the invalidity of the alleged forged will and fraudulent land registration in an Estate Dispute.
The Court observed that the discrepancies in will copies (e.g., formatting, lines) were "glaringly clear" and non-trivial, contradicting DW2's "one copy" testimony. Language conflict (Runyankole vs. English) undermined authenticity, with DW2's clarification unconvincing. As an illiterate, Erina required a jurat under Section 3 Illiterates Protection Act confirming explanation in her language—absent here, rendering it substantively invalid (Kasaala Growers, supra; Violet Nakiu

Waboga David
Sep 20, 20254 min read


An Overview of the Competition Regulations, 2025 in Uganda
For lawyers, this means clear guidance on how to advise clients, whether in getting merger approvals, responding to investigations, or shaping business agreements. For businesses, the message is even clearer: understanding and complying with these rules is no longer optional. The Regulations spell out what counts as illegal coordination between competitors, how dominance in the market is measured, and the kinds of conduct that will now be penalized. With fines and even impris

Lawpointuganda
Sep 20, 20255 min read


The High Court of Uganda at Bushenyi clarifies that minor omissions do not invalidate a charge unless they cause miscarriage of justice, accused need not prove alibi, but the prosecution must place...
This case reinforces that procedural defects will not automatically nullify proceedings unless they cause injustice. Sentencing courts must deduct remand time to avoid illegality, while appellate courts will correct reliance on inadmissible evidence but still uphold convictions if other evidence suffices. Compensation remains discretionary but must be reasonable and justified.

Waboga David
Sep 18, 20255 min read


High Court Convicts Accused of Kidnap for Ransom and Aggravated Trafficking, affirming that an accused need not participate in all stages of trafficking to be guilty; involvement in any part makes...
An accused need not participate in all stages of trafficking to be guilty; involvement in any part of the chain (e.g., planning, recruitment) suffices (Muhwezi v. Uganda, 2022; Bernard Onyandi v. Republic, [2018] eKLR). On aggravated trafficking in children, the Court, drawing from Bernard Onyandi v Republic [2018] eKLR, clarified that liability arises even if an accused only participates in one stage of the trafficking process. Finally, while departing from the assessors’ op

Waboga David
Sep 18, 20253 min read


High Court of Uganda at Gulu upholds the lower Court’s declaration of ownership over customary land and clarifies that silence or omission by witnesses does not amount to contradiction.
The High Court affirmed the Respondent as the lawful owner of the suit land and upheld the trial court’s award of vacant possession, permanent injunction, and UGX 10,000,000 general damages.

Waboga David
Sep 17, 20253 min read


High Court at Luwero affirms that the Electricity Regulatory Authority only has jurisdiction over compensation disputes where notice and consent were given; it cannot adjudicate trespass claims.
The Court examined Sections 67 and 70 of the Electricity Act. Section 67(1) permits a licensee to place electric supply lines on private land but requires minimal damage, prompt compensation, and, under Section 67(2) and (4), prior notice and consent of the landowner unless otherwise agreed. ERA’s jurisdiction under Section 70 is limited to compensation disputes where consent was sought and the landowner disagreed with valuation/compensation. Where a licensee enters land with

Waboga David
Sep 17, 20254 min read


Uganda Assistant Registrar of Trademarks Orders Cancellation of “Black Zebra” Trademarks for Confusion with “Four Star Zebra” Mark
The Registrar found that the goods in Classes 32 and 33 (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) are closely related, as they are sold through similar channels (e.g., liquor stores, supermarkets) and target the same consumer base. Citing British Sugar plc v James Robertson & Sons Ltd (1996), the Registrar emphasized that similarity in goods and trade channels heightens the risk of confusion. The Registrar concluded that the “BLACK ZEBRA” marks were confusingly similar to the A

Waboga David
Sep 16, 20255 min read


High Court affirms that customary land ownership requires proof of delivery, acceptance, & family knowledge; mere use is insufficient, and gift inter vivos & adverse possession are mutually exclusive
The court held that adverse possession was not pleaded, violating Order 7 Rule 1(e) of the Civil Procedure Rules, which mandates disclosing the cause of action. The claim was introduced belatedly in submissions, constituting trial by ambush. Even on merits, the appellants failed to prove factual possession, continuous 12-year occupation, animus possidendi, or non-permissive use. The respondents’ family maintained possession, and the appellants’ use was fragmented and permissi

Waboga David
Sep 16, 20255 min read


The High Court has affirmed that compulsory acquisition requires strict compliance with constitutional and statutory procedures – mere gazetting or lodging a caveat does not constitute acquisition.
Article 26 guarantees the right to own and use property without interference. The court found that the caveat emptor and statutory instrument disrupted the plaintiffs’ development plans, as evidenced by stalled construction observed during the locus visit.
The court defined unlawful interference as a violation of proprietary or possessory rights. The notices affected the plaintiffs’ proprietary rights by restricting their ability to deal with the land. This issue was resolved

Waboga David
Sep 15, 20255 min read


The Supreme Court has reaffirmed the limits on the enforceability of harsh interest clauses in commercial contracts, affirming that courts may temper interest rates where gov't delay imposes unfair...
The Supreme Court observed that Section 26(1) allows courts to vary the rate of interest if it is harsh and unconscionable but does not permit changing the type of interest (e.g., from compound to simple). The High Court erred in citing Section 26(2) and (3) but inadvertently complied with Section 26(1) by reducing the rate to 15% while preserving compound interest. The Court of Appeal erred by substituting compound interest with simple interest, as Section 26(1) limits judic

Waboga David
Sep 13, 202510 min read


The High Court at Luwero has reaffirmed that a customary heir has the legal standing to institute proceedings on behalf of an estate, even without letters of administration.
Citing Israel Kabwa vs. Martin Banoba Musiga (supra), where the Supreme Court held that a customary heir can sue on behalf of an estate without Letters of Administration, as they are entitled to a share of the estate under the Succession Act (as amended by Decree No. 22 of 1972). Moreover, Civil Suit No. 11 of 2009 sought revocation of Letters of Administration (filed in the Family Division), while the current suit seeks recovery of land and cancellation of the 4th defendant’

Waboga David
Sep 12, 20256 min read


High Court Strikes Out Review Application for Lack of Locus Standi, Affirming that a Licence to Operate a School Does Not in Itself Confer Capacity to Sue; the Management Structure Must Follow the Law
The Court distinguished between licensing (proof of registration and authority to operate) and legal capacity to sue (which rests with a duly constituted Management Committee). Since the applicant failed to produce proof of a legally established Management Committee, it was deemed a non-existent entity in law. The Trustees of Rubaga Miracle Centre v. Mulangira Ssimbwa, MA No. 576 of 2006, a legal action instituted by non-existent entities is incompetent.

Waboga David
Sep 11, 20252 min read


The High Court at Kabale grants mandatory bail to an accused charged with murder, affirming that once an accused has spent over 180 days on remand before committal, they are entitled to mandatory bail
The Court observed that both the LC II Committee and the complainant supported bail, with the complainant explicitly stating the Applicant was not involved in the murder. This strengthened the Applicant’s case and assured the Court of minimal risk of community hostility or interference with investigations.

Waboga David
Sep 9, 20254 min read


High Court Clarifies Contractor Liability for Design and Construction Defects, Employer Prevention of Timely Completion Bars Damages, and the Admissibility of Expert Evidence in Construction Disputes
The Court observed: “Acts or omissions by the employer that hinder the contractor’s ability to meet a contractual deadline…is referred to as an employer’s ‘prevention.’ This principle prevents the employer from benefiting from their own prevention that causes delays or disruptions by insisting on the original completion date or claiming liquidated damages for delays caused by the employer’s actions.”

Waboga David
Sep 9, 202510 min read


Court of Appeal clarifies that the limitation period for recovery of land starts running from the date of eviction, not from the date of an earlier transfer or occupation by another party.
The Court emphasized that although locus visits are not always mandatory, they are recommended under Practice Direction No. 1 of 2007, especially in land disputes. The Magistrate’s failure to visit the locus created ambiguity about the exact portion of land awarded and prejudiced Bwire’s case. The Court held that Bwire did not prove customary ownership or any legally enforceable right to the land. Evidence strongly supported Nakirya’s claim that she received the land as a val

Waboga David
Sep 7, 20256 min read


High Court Confirms Notice of Appeal Alone Does Not Constitute a Competent Appeal; Strict Compliance with Rule 83 Required; ECCMIS Access Obligates Advocates; Stay Applications Depend on Valid Appeals
The Court observed that, mere filing of a Notice of Appeal does not constitute a competent appeal. By failing to file the memorandum and record of appeal within the statutory 60 days, the appeal was deemed withdrawn under Rule 84. The court described counsel’s conduct as dilatory and inexcusable. Because there was no competent appeal, the court held there was nothing to evaluate for the likelihood of success. The applicants’ intended grounds of appeal, which challenged the se

Waboga David
Sep 7, 20256 min read


The High Court of Uganda at Kabale Sets Aside an Ex parte Judgment on the Grounds of Illness, emphasising that Courts Exercise Wide Discretion in ensuring a Fair Hearing.
In defining what amounts to sufficient cause, the Court relied on the authority of Captain Philip Ongom v Catherine Nyero Owota, SCCA No. 14 of 2001, where it was held that sufficient cause may include illness of a party or mistake of counsel, but that failure to instruct an advocate does not constitute sufficient cause. The Court further cited Dhillon & Another v Dhillon [2006] 1 EA 66–67, which reaffirmed that the overriding concern of the Court is to do justice between the

Waboga David
Sep 6, 20252 min read


High Court Declares Suit Against Deceased Person a Nullity, Reaffirms That Such Actions Are Void Ab Initio and Incapable of Amendment, Thus Setting Aside Ex Parte Proceedings in Land Dispute.
The court reaffirmed that A suit instituted against a deceased person is void ab initio and cannot be cured by amendment, unlike a case where a defendant dies during the suit’s pendency, where legal representatives can be substituted citing Abdala Ramathan v. Agony Swaib MCA No. 0067 of 2016.

Waboga David
Sep 4, 20256 min read


High Court Upholds Vicarious Liability in Motor Accident Appeal, Reaffirming that Liability May Attach Not Only to the Registered Owner but Also to a Beneficial Owner or Master Where a Driver Operates
The court relied on Section 27 of the Traffic and Road Safety Act, which establishes a rebuttable presumption of ownership based on registration. The court applied the doctrine of respondeat superior, as articulated in Muwonge v. Attorney General (1967) holding that a master is liable for a servant’s actions within the course of employment, even without formal employment.

Waboga David
Sep 4, 20257 min read


The Court of Appeal affirms that the IGG has constitutional and statutory authority to prosecute corruption and theft of public funds, even against private persons, without DPP consent.
The Court affirmed that the IGG has constitutional and statutory authority to prosecute corruption and theft of public funds, even against private persons, without DPP consent. An indictment need not be signed personally by the IGG, as long as it is signed by an authorized officer of the Inspectorate. The indictment here was valid.

Waboga David
Sep 3, 202517 min read


High Court Grants Anton Piller Order, Clarifying that Trademark Infringers May Conceal or Destroy Products if Alerted to Legal Action
As the Court warned: “It is likely that a party who markets and sells products under a trademark owned by another party may destroy and/or hide those products if it is alerted of the legal consequences of its conduct.”

Waboga David
Sep 3, 20254 min read


Industrial Court Clarifies that Labour Officer’s Cease-and-Desist Orders Are Not Court Orders Capable of Grounding Contempt
Quoting Justice Madrama JSC in Byakika, the Industrial Court reaffirmed that
“The Labour Officer is an office of first instance, rather than a court, not vested with judicial power, and therefore incapable of issuing a lawful court order.”

Waboga David
Sep 2, 20255 min read


High Court clarifies that a caveat may be maintained where the caveator demonstrates a legitimate, arguable interest in the land and has instituted timely proceedings to assert that claim.
It’s trite that in an application of such a nature courts will consider the justice of the case to ascertain whether to vacate the caveat or not, I am of the finding that the justice of this case and the balance of convenience would in my opinion require that the caveat lodged by the 1st respondent vide instrument number KCCA-0015483 be maintained.

Waboga David
Sep 1, 20252 min read
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