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Citation
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Judgment date
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| October 2025 |
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City women MPs and municipal constituencies are constitutionally valid; petition dismissed and each party to bear its own costs.
Constitutional law — Parliamentary Elections Act s.8(1) — cities treated as equivalent to districts — one woman representative per district applies to cities; local government — municipalities as constituencies — Parliament prescribes constituencies, Electoral Commission demarcates; Article 63(5) review triggered by census publication; city women MPs are not special interest group representatives.
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27 October 2025 |
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Challenge to laws for failing to define "expiry" rejected; term has plain meaning and petition dismissed.
Constitutional jurisdiction — Article 137 — interpretation of the Constitution; Criminal law — vagueness — Article 28(12) — definition of "expiry"; Statutory construction — plain and ordinary meaning; Administrative/factual defenses — matters for trial court.
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27 October 2025 |
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Court allowed consolidation of two constitutional petitions alleging fair-trial breaches by revenue authority prosecutions.
Constitutional procedure – consolidation of petitions under Rule 13 where petitions concern same matter; alleged fair trial breaches in prosecutions involving revenue authority employees; challenges to statutory provisions as inconsistent with constitutional fair trial rights.
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27 October 2025 |
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Whether statutory cash-bail provisions unlawfully discriminate against indigent accused and violate constitutional rights.
* Constitutional law – Bail – Validity of cash-bail provisions under Section 78(b) Magistrates Courts Act and Bail Guidelines (2022) – Presumption of constitutionality and judicial discretion to impose reasonable conditions.
* Human rights – Right to liberty, equality and fair hearing – Whether cash bail discriminates against indigent accused and prolongs remand.
* Remedies – Review of bail terms by supervisory courts; refund of cash bail at case conclusion; compensation not appropriate in this constitutional petition.
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13 October 2025 |
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10 October 2025 |
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Challenge to amendment limiting MPs' recall to the Movement system dismissed; limitation found constitutional and not discriminatory.
Constitutional law – Constitutional amendment – Power of Parliament to amend Constitution – Article 84(7) (recall of MPs) introduced by 2005 amendment – Movement vs Multi-Party systems; Equality and non‑discrimination – limitation justified and not unfairly discriminatory; Res judicata – prior cases did not decide Article 84(7) constitutionality.
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7 October 2025 |
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Petition challenging re‑arrest, splitting of charges, prolonged remand and partial disclosure dismissed as questions already decided; no fresh interpretation required.
Constitutional law – Article 137 jurisdiction – interpretation v enforcement; res judicata in constitutional interpretation; criminal procedure – pre‑trial disclosure and witness protection (Rules 19, 22, 36 ICD Rules); splitting charges/parallel prosecutions; re‑arrest by military personnel after bail; prolonged remand without trial.
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3 October 2025 |
| September 2025 |
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Court held Parliament’s purchase of personal vehicles for MPs lawful and not unconstitutional or discriminatory.
Constitutional jurisdiction — whether petition raises question of interpretation; Equality and non‑discrimination — Article 21 (analogous grounds); Article 45 — recognition of unlisted rights/grounds; Public property and Consolidated Fund — Article 17(d) and Article 154(1); Parliamentary powers — Articles 77 & 85, Administration of Parliament Act and budgetary authority; Procurement — interplay with PPDA and parliamentary budgeting.
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26 September 2025 |
| August 2025 |
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Arbitration tribunals in Uganda are not courts of judicature and the issue is res judicata, requiring no fresh constitutional interpretation.
Constitutional law – Res judicata – Arbitration and Conciliation Act – Judicial power – Whether arbitral tribunals are courts of judicature – Arbitral bodies as administrative/quasi-judicial entities – Doctrine of stare decisis – Constitutional interpretation.
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20 August 2025 |
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Uganda’s Constitutional Court declined to introduce no-fault divorce, but held that property protections in judicial separations must be gender-equal.
• Constitutional law — interpretation — Divorce Act — free consent in marriage — right to equality — gender discrimination — right to privacy — procedural fairness — family protection — interpretation of outdated statutes.
• Family law — divorce proceedings — distinction between fault and no-fault divorce — judicial regulation of marriage dissolution — gender equality in divorce remedies.
• Discrimination — protection of property and legal rights upon judicial separation — equal application to husbands and wives required.
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18 August 2025 |
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Court upholds the legality of long prison sentences and finds that remission is a statutory, not constitutional, entitlement.
Constitutional law – Sentencing – Legality of sentences of imprisonment without remission – Separation of powers – Remission as statutory not constitutional right – Cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment – Sentencing discretion – Right to rehabilitation – Judicial power and conformity with law.
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11 August 2025 |
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Prior decisions barring magistrate courts from granting bail in capital cases are binding; only the High Court has jurisdiction.
Constitutional law – fair hearing – automatic remand – right to bail – interpretation of constitutional bail provisions – doctrine of res judicata – whether bail in capital offences may be granted by subordinate courts – constitutional validity of statutory and practice directions regarding bail and committal processes.
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8 August 2025 |
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A petition challenging the appointment of a Labour Officer by the Public Service Commission was dismissed for failing to raise a constitutional issue.
Constitutional law – Constitutional interpretation – Appointment of Labour Officers – Jurisdiction of Constitutional Court – Abuse of process – Requirement for real constitutional controversy.
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8 August 2025 |
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Constitutional Court jurisdiction limited to a panel of five for interlocutory applications; inherent powers affirmed.
Constitutional Law – Jurisdiction of Constitutional Court – interlocutory applications – judicial self-determination of jurisdiction – composition of Constitutional Court for interlocutory matters.
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6 August 2025 |
| July 2025 |
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Family Law—Marriage and equality—Polygamy—Challenge to Penal Code definitions exempting polygamous husbands from bigamy—Claimed violation of rights to equality, dignity, health, and property—Court found no breach—Polygamy protected by religion and culture—Monogamous and polygamous marriages governed differently—Consensual polygamy not discriminatory or inhuman—Judicial notice taken—Petition dismissed—No orders—Each party to bear own costs
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10 July 2025 |
| June 2025 |
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27 June 2025 |
| May 2025 |
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Constitutional Law – Constitutional interpretation – appointment of Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer of NRM as ex-officio members of national organs – whether inconsistent with Article 71 of the Constitution – whether there was a question for constitutional interpretation – majority of court held no question for interpretation – dissenting opinion held there was a constitutional question – appointment upheld as not inconsistent with Constitution – petition dismissed with no order as to costs.
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27 May 2025 |
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A constitutional petition alone does not justify staying criminal proceedings; stays require exceptional, public‑interest circumstances.
Constitutional law — temporary injunctions and stays of criminal proceedings — exceptional circumstances required; public interest and DPP prosecutorial powers; Section 21A Anti‑Corruption Act challenged on reverse onus and vagueness grounds.
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9 May 2025 |
| April 2025 |
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Constitutional law — compulsory acquisition of land — right to property — fair hearing — prompt and adequate compensation — judicial discretion — public interest — validity of legislation — Section 10(5)(c) declared unconstitutional — partially succeeds — no costs
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8 April 2025 |
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Contempt application dismissed: applicants failed to prove respondents willfully disobeyed consultative/reporting obligations; process ongoing.
* Constitutional law – contempt of court – requirements: lawful order, notice/knowledge, ability to comply, and failure to comply.
* Separation of powers – judicial restraint in supervising executive/legislative consultative processes and administrative decisions.
* Administrative law – implementation of court-declared obligations to initiate consultations and to report within a specified timeframe.
* Procedural law – prematurity of contempt applications where reporting timelines and discretionary consultative processes remain ongoing.
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7 April 2025 |
| February 2025 |
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Constitutional law—electoral disputes—delayed appeal determination—right to a fair & speedy hearing—judicial duty—election cycle—constitutional compliance—rule of law—access to justice
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18 February 2025 |
| January 2025 |
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10 January 2025 |
| December 2024 |
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18 December 2024 |
Access to Information and Privacy—Constitutional interpretation—Leadership Code Act—declaration of assets and liabilities—right to information—right to privacy—Inspectorate discretion—public accountability—balancing public interest and privacy—payment of fees to access declarations deemed constitutional—partial inconsistency of provisions with Constitution—judicial intervention to uphold transparency and accountability
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12 December 2024 |
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12 December 2024 |
| November 2024 |
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22 November 2024 |
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22 November 2024 |
Constitutional law—right to fair hearing—double jeopardy—successive prosecutions—stay of execution—contempt of court—jurisdiction of constitutional court—prosecution of illicit enrichment charges—Supreme Court stay of execution—discharge of accused—non-enforceability of orders pending appeal
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15 November 2024 |
Constitutional law – tribunals vs. judicial officers – subordinate courts – terms of service – equal pay – judicial independence – discrimination – interpretation – court held Leadership Code Tribunal not a subordinate court under Article 129, tribunal members not entitled to judicial officers' terms.
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6 November 2024 |
| August 2024 |
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Constitutional interpretation ruling that asset disclosure under the Anti-Corruption Act does not infringe presumption of innocence.
Constitutional law – Interpretation of constitutional provisions – Presumption of innocence – Self-incrimination – Anti-corruption regulations – Public officers' duty to disclose assets.
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12 August 2024 |
| July 2024 |
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4 July 2024 |
| May 2024 |
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Whether the Inspectorate of Government may investigate and prosecute matters subject to interim injunctions; Court held such conduct unconstitutional.
• Constitutional law – Article 137(3): jurisdiction of Constitutional Court to interpret Constitution and grant declarations. • Judicial independence – Article 128: courts’ orders must be respected; investigations/prosecutions that undermine judicial process may be unconstitutional. • Inspectorate of Government – Article 225 and Inspectorate of Government Act S.19(1)(c): limits on investigating civil matters before court; constitutional bodies must act within statutory and constitutional limits. • Remedies – relief by declaration and staying/dismissal of prosecutions; costs. • Corporate status – IGG’s legal capacity and the Attorney General as proper respondent.
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29 May 2024 |
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23 May 2024 |
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22 May 2024 |
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22 May 2024 |
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Challenge to Venereal Diseases Act rendered moot by its repeal and dismissed without costs.
Constitutional law — challenge to statutory provisions under the Constitution — repeal of impugned statute by subsequent legislation — mootness; Public Health (Amendment) Act 2023 repealing Venereal Diseases Act (Cap 284) — effect on justiciability of constitutional challenges.
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13 May 2024 |
Parliamentary approval—Application challenging government’s conclusion of agreements and issuance of promissory notes without prior parliamentary resolution—Court finding parliamentary approval was obtained under PFMA and the Constitution—No contravention of Articles 159 and 79—No violation of public participation rights—Petition dismissed with no order as to costs
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13 May 2024 |
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A pollution‑control licensing regime, properly interpreted, does not violate the constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment.
Environmental law – Pollution control licences – interpretation in context; whether licences authorise pollution contrary to Article 39 and Article 245(a) – Environmental and social impact assessments – discretion under s.83(2)(a) versus mandatory ESIA regimes (Schedules 4 & 5) – Precautionary principle and polluter‑pays principle – Statutory interpretation (whole‑text, purposive).
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9 May 2024 |
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The court determined that provisions for pollution control licenses in the National Environment Act do not violate constitutional rights to a clean environment.
Environmental Law – Pollution Control – Issuance of pollution control licenses – Compliance with constitutional environmental rights – National Environment Act and sustainable development.
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9 May 2024 |
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Whether an interim stay is warranted where a substantive stay is pending and execution by garnishee is imminent.
Interim stay of execution — requirements: pending substantive application and serious threat of execution; notice of appeal; garnishee order and execution on estate funds; reliance on Hwang Sung Industries Ltd v Tajdin Hussein and Kisuule v Greenland Bank.
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7 May 2024 |
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A petition enforcing Article 4 obligations was dismissed for lacking a constitutional interpretation question, thus outside this Court’s jurisdiction.
Constitutional jurisdiction – Article 137(1) – scope limited to interpretation of the Constitution; Enforcement of constitutional obligations – Article 4 (translation, dissemination, teaching, media) – enforcement lies under Article 50 in ordinary courts; Distinction between interpretation (Constitutional Court) and enforcement (ordinary courts).
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7 May 2024 |
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Constitutional Court lacks jurisdiction to enforce Article 4 obligations; enforcement lies under Article 50 in ordinary courts.
Constitutional jurisdiction – Article 137 – limited to interpretation; Article 4 – promotion of public awareness (translation, dissemination, teaching, media); Article 50 – enforcement of constitutional rights in ordinary courts; distinction between interpretation and enforcement.
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7 May 2024 |
| April 2024 |
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Court upheld most of the Act but struck down sections 3(2)(c), 9, 11(2)(d) and 14 as unconstitutional for health/privacy harms.
Constitutional law — challenges to Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023 — presumption of constitutionality and burden of proof; procedural compliance (quorum, financial certificate, public participation) — rights: legality (nullum crimen), equality and non-discrimination (sexual orientation not a protected ground under Article 21 in Ugandan Constitution), human dignity (contextual balancing with national values), privacy (reporting duty struck down), freedom of expression/association (permissible limits protecting public interest), right to health (certain provisions struck down).
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3 April 2024 |
| March 2024 |
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Court upheld refund order but struck down High Court’s prospective directive prescribing future disbarment as unconstitutional.
Constitutional jurisdiction – Article 137(1)&(3) – petition must raise an arguable controversy about interpretation; Advocates' discipline – limits on advocate’s interest in decretal sums; Advocates Act – statutory remedies for recovery of costs; Right to fair hearing and independence of tribunal – Article 28(1) – prohibition on pre‑prescribing punishment for future proceedings; Prospective punishment – unlawful interference with disciplinary independence.
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25 March 2024 |
Media regulation—judicial review—Media Council Disciplinary Committee—subordinate court status—constitutional interpretation—right to fair hearing—judicial independence—administrative tribunal—petition dismissed—costs borne by parties
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11 March 2024 |
| February 2024 |
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Petitioner failed to prove Section 4(7) Income Tax Act discriminates against certain small‑turnover professionals; petition dismissed.
* Constitutional law – Article 137 – Questions as to interpretation of the Constitution; * Tax law – Income Tax Act s.4(7) – presumptive tax exclusion for certain professions; * Equality and non‑discrimination – Article 21 – burden of proof and effect test; * Constitutional interpretation – purpose and effect analysis; * Remedies – declaration dismissed, costs borne by each party.
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23 February 2024 |
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Reinstatement of prosecutions discontinued pre-trial by the DPP does not breach Articles 120 or 28; s.121 MCA is constitutional.
Constitutional law – Director of Public Prosecutions – scope of powers to discontinue and institute prosecutions; Magistrates Courts Act s.121(a) – withdrawal before judgment not a bar to subsequent proceedings; Right to fair hearing – Article 28(9)–(10) (double jeopardy/pardon) applies only after trial and conviction/acquittal or pardon.
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21 February 2024 |
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The Constitutional Court dismissed the applicant's petition because identical constitutional issues were already settled by a prior decision.
* Constitutional jurisdiction – Article 137 – limited to interpretation of the Constitution and grant of declarations and redress.
* Finality of constitutional determinations – once this Court has settled a constitutional question it should not be re‑litigated.
* Subordinate courts – determination that an arbitration/dispute‑resolution centre is not a subordinate court.
* Judicial status – challenge to status of organisation and its officers as judicial organs/officers.
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20 February 2024 |
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A petition challenging a club’s internal acts was dismissed for lacking any question of constitutional interpretation and for forum shopping.
* Constitutional jurisdiction – Article 137 – limited to questions requiring interpretation of the Constitution; enforcement of rights falls under Article 50. * Private associations – constitutions and rules may be challenged under Article 137 only when constitutional interpretation is involved. * Civil procedure – forum shopping – a petition duplicative of matters pending in the High Court is improper. * Service – failure to serve a respondent (Registrar of Titles) led to dismissal against that respondent.
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20 February 2024 |
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Petition challenging vesting under TRRAP Act dismissed as premature, mainly factual and for High Court, and an abuse of process.
Constitutional jurisdiction — Article 137(3) — distinction between constitutional interpretation and factual/evidential disputes — proprietary rights and vesting under TRRAP Act — res judicata and prior interpretation of Article 26 — abuse of process; remedies to be pursued in High Court where factual ownership and fraud are in issue.
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14 February 2024 |