High Court of Uganda

The High Court of Uganda is the third court of record in order of hierarchy and has unlimited original jurisdiction, which means that it can try any case of any value or crime of any magnitude. Appeals from all Magistrates Courts go to the High Court. 

The High Court is headed by the Honorable Principal Judge who is responsible for the administration of the court and has supervisory powers over Magistrate's courts. 

Physical address
Plot 2, the Square Kampala
15 judgments

Court registries

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15 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
January 1994
Wrongful eviction for breach of dealership/lease; special damages proved by receipts, interest limited to court rates.
Contract law – breach of agency/lease agreement – wrongful eviction by landlord/owner. Assessment of damages in default – Order 9 r.6 CPR – proof of special damages by receipts. Quantum of general damages for premature termination of long-term dealer arrangement Interest – court/ statutory rates where high contractual rate not proved. Failure to prove offsetting claims or alleged debts prevents recovery
31 January 1994
Conviction for murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery upheld on child identification and corroborative evidence.
Criminal law – Murder: malice aforethought established by use of axe and head injuries – Attempted murder: intent and acts toward killing (gagging, covering) – Aggravated robbery: theft with violence and deadly weapon – Identification by child of tender years and single identifying witness; caution and corroboration – Alibi rejected where prosecution places accused at scene; post-mortem corroboration of assault.
28 January 1994
Court convicted accused of aggravated robbery on safe single‑witness identification and imposed mandatory death sentence.
Criminal law – Aggravated robbery – Elements: theft, violence, use/threat of deadly weapon – Single-witness identification – Caution and safeguards – Alibi and its destruction by prosecution evidence – Common intention – Mandatory sentence under s.273(2) Penal Code.
28 January 1994
21 January 1994
Judge recused himself where a proposed joinder applicant lacked confidence after prior locus standi remarks; file referred for reassignment.
Recusal — perceived bias from prior obiter remarks — whether judge should disqualify himself; Locus standi — joinder of interested third party in statutory appeal under Expropriated Property Act; Effect of executive concession/certificate on pending appeal; Procedural fairness — right to be heard and administration of justice.
19 January 1994
Contractor entitled to unpaid certificate sum; court awarded principal plus 30% p.a. interest from due date and costs.
Contract law – Government contract – final certificate and obligation to pay within 14 days (Clause 30(1)); Civil procedure – proceeding and judgment after hearing where Attorney‑General served but did not appear; Interest – appropriateness of contractual/claimed rate versus court‑assessed commercial rate; Evidence – uncontroverted plaintiff testimony establishes entitlement.
12 January 1994
Plaintiff entitled to certified contract sum; court awards principal, interest at 30% p.a. from 15/3/1989, and costs.
Contract law – obligation to pay sums certified by final payment certificate – payment due within contractual 14-day period Evidence – uncontroverted testimony and documentary final certificate sufficient to establish debt Remedies – assessment of interest where claimed contractual rate unsupported; court discretion to fix reasonable rate (30% p.a.) Costs – successful claimant entitled to costs where defendant defaults or fails to contest
12 January 1994
Accused convicted of aggravated robbery where theft, violence, deadly weapon use and reliable identification were proved.
Criminal law – Aggravated robbery – elements: theft, violence, threat/use of deadly weapon; identification – prolonged daylight observation and prior acquaintance; common intention; inadmissibility of uncautioned admissions; minor committal defects not fatal.
11 January 1994
Accused convicted of aggravated robbery where daylight identification, violence and gunshots established guilt; sentenced to death.
Criminal law – Aggravated robbery – Elements: theft, violence and deadly weapon – Identification evidence in daylight and prolonged observation – Common intention – Alibi – Mandatory death sentence.
11 January 1994
10 January 1994
The applicant’s adoption petition was struck out for failure to comply with Rule 7’s verification and documentary requirements.
Adoption law – procedural compliance – Rule 7 verification and exhibition of supporting certificates; advocate presentation and signature of petition; adequacy of affidavits; striking out for non-compliance.
7 January 1994
No prima facie case; accused acquitted under s.71(1) where identification and evidence were insufficient.
Criminal law – Submission of no case to answer – Prima facie case – Identification evidence – Section 71(1) Trial on Indictments Decree – Reasonable tribunal test (Bhatt v R).
4 January 1994
Submission of no case to answer upheld where prosecution failed to show a prima facie link between the accused and the robbery.
Criminal procedure – submission of no case to answer – prima facie case test (Bhatt v R) – identification evidence – suspicion is not evidence – acquittal under s.71 Trial on Indictments Decree.
4 January 1994
Court convicted the accused of defilement based on child testimony, medical evidence and a voluntary confession, sentencing eight years imprisonment.
Criminal law – Defilement under s.123(1) Penal Code Act – Child witness evidence and identification at night – Medical corroboration (ruptured hymen/inflammation) – Cautioned statement (confession) voluntariness and reliance – Need for corroboration of retracted confession – Sentencing: deterrence vs mitigation.
4 January 1994
3 January 1994