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
21 judgments

Court registries

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21 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
February 1994
25 February 1994
Oral transport contract existed; defendants breached and are jointly liable to pay US$93,750 or equivalent, plus nominal damages, interest and costs.
Contract law – oral subcontracting agreement for carriage of goods – parties' internal arrangements and identification of contracting party Jurisdiction – place of performance and cause of action where performance completed in Uganda. Foreign‑currency judgment – application of Miliangos principle; award in US dollars or local currency equivalent at enforcement rate Damages – compensation for unpaid contract sum, nominal damages where consequential loss not proved; interest and costs awarded
25 February 1994
Oral transport contract found; both defendants jointly liable for US$93,750, interest, nominal damages and costs.
Contract law – oral contract for carriage of goods – place of performance and jurisdiction – joint liability of co-operating companies – foreign-currency judgment and conversion at market rate at payment/enforcement – interest and nominal damages.
23 February 1994
Alibi rejected; convictions for grievous harm and obstructing police upheld; sentence reduced for inadequate mitigation inquiry.
Criminal law – grievous harm (s.212 Penal Code) – obstruction of police (s.106 Penal Code) – alibi defence: burden on prosecution to disprove – identification and common intention – duty to explore mitigation for unrepresented accused – sentence reduction for excessive punishment.
22 February 1994
Administrators' claim to cancel registered title failed: action not time-barred but fraud not proved; defendant bona fide purchaser.
Limitation Act – fraud discovery rule; Registration of Titles Act – certificate of title prima facie proof; burden and particularity of proving actual fraud; protection of bona fide purchaser for value (s.189 RTA).
21 February 1994
Failure to plough constituted breach; annexed agreement admissible, damages recalculated and unpleaded special damages disallowed.
Contract law – breach for failure to perform a ploughing contract – burden of proof on impossibility and need to notify lender; Evidence – admissibility of a document annexed to a plaint when its terms are proved by oral testimony and admissions despite non-exhibition; Damages – assessment of general damages based on proven expected profits; special damages must be specifically pleaded and proved; Mitigation – claimant’s duty to mitigate and when mitigation is excused by defendant’s conduct.
18 February 1994
Appellate court upheld breach finding, admitted annexed agreement on proof, and adjusted damages and interest.
Contract — breach for failure to plough — admissibility of annexed but un‑exhibited agreement proved by testimony — credibility of stump defence — assessment and recalculation of general and special damages — mitigation of loss.
18 February 1994
14 February 1994
A Ugandan‑registered company’s assets are not expropriable solely because majority shareholders are non‑citizens.
Company law – Corporate personality – A company incorporated in Uganda is a separate legal entity; shareholders' nationalities do not change company nationality for ownership of assets. Expropriation law – Assets of a Ugandan‑registered company not automatically liable to expropriation because majority shareholders are non‑citizens. Procedural law – Validity and timing of repossession under Expropriated Properties Act 1982 are factual issues for trial; statutory appeal (s.14) available against ministerial decisions
11 February 1994
Whether an owner is vicariously liable where its driver negligently entered a main road, causing serious injury.
Road traffic negligence – driver entering main road without stopping; vicarious liability of vehicle owner for servant-driver; assessment of special and general damages for severe and partly permanent injuries; contributory negligence examined and rejected.
10 February 1994
Plaintiff awarded damages for breach of contract after Ministry of Health failed to pay for supplied goods.
Contract Law – Breach of contract – Supply of goods – Non-payment – Ministry of Health contracts – Damages assessment.
9 February 1994
Police officer convicted of manslaughter for fatal custodial torture; murder not proven for lack of malice aforethought.
Criminal law – Unlawful killing in custody – Prolonged torture causing death; Identification and corroboration of accomplice witnesses; Common intention (s.22 Penal Code) establishes liability for fatal consequence; Malice aforethought not proved — murder not established; Conviction for manslaughter (s.182) and deterrent sentence.
8 February 1994
7 February 1994
An adoption petition was struck out for failing to verify allegations and to exhibit required supporting documents.
Adoption law — Adoption of Children Act (Cap 216) and Adoption Rules — Rule 7 verification by affidavit and exhibition of documents — advocate presenting vs signing petition — striking out noncompliant adoption petition.
7 February 1994
Court appointed the applicant (sister) as legal guardian of orphaned children, directing annual welfare reports to the Probation/Welfare Office.
Guardianship – Appointment of legal guardian under s.9 Judicature Act and Order 48 – Welfare of the child as paramount consideration. Appointment of a guardian resident abroad – suitability and supervisory conditions. Probation/Welfare Office oversight – annual progress reports and court notification if reports not received
7 February 1994
Court appointed elder sister living abroad as legal guardian, prioritising children's welfare and ordering probationary reporting.
Guardianship – Welfare of the child paramount – Appointment under s.9 Judicature Act and Order 48 rr 1 & 3 CPR – Guardian resident abroad – Supervisory reporting by Probation/Welfare Office.
7 February 1994
4 February 1994
4 February 1994
Accused granted bail after court found special circumstances and State issued a Certificate of No Objection.
Criminal procedure – Bail – Special circumstances required under statute – Court may grant bail where State issues Certificate of No Objection and special circumstances are shown. Criminal procedure – Bail conditions – Cash bond, deposit of travel documents with court registry, mandatory periodic reporting to police Sureties – Court to assess sufficiency of sureties to ensure accused’s return to court
4 February 1994
4 February 1994
The Currency Reform Statute 1987 applies to court decrees; decretal sums must be converted and may be executed in new currency.
Currency Reform Statute 1987 – Applicability to judgments and decrees; redenomination of monetary obligations; conversion at one new shilling = 100 old shillings; enforcement/execution of recalculated decretal sums.
3 February 1994