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Citation
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Judgment date
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| April 2026 |
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Conviction for dealing with suspect property where government relief iron sheets were diverted and the accused had reason to believe they were proceeds of corruption.
Anti‑Corruption Act – Dealing with suspect property s.21(1): elements — (i) dealing (holding/receiving), (ii) property acquired by corruption (loss of public property), (iii) knowledge or reason to believe; evidence: ledger, delivery voucher, memos, witness testimony, recovery from beneficiary’s premises; standard: proof beyond reasonable doubt
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8 April 2026 |
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Bail reinstated pending money laundering trial after finding prior bail compliance, fixed abode, and suitable sureties, subject to conditions.
Bail — Money laundering triable by High Court — Article 23(6)(a) Constitution — Trial on Indictments Act s16(4) factors — Bail Guidelines and Anti‑Corruption Division rules on sureties — prior bail compliance — fixed abode evidenced by local council letters — conditions (cash bond, surety bonds, passport deposit, monthly reporting)
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8 April 2026 |
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Court granted bail to one applicant with securities, denied two others for failing to prove suitable sureties.
Criminal procedure – Bail – Money laundering and economic offences – Trial on Indictments Act s.15 exceptional circumstances – Suitability and capacity of sureties – Asset recovery and risk of dissipation – Presumption of innocence not determinative
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7 April 2026 |
| March 2026 |
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An expired acting appointment does not preclude liability for Abuse of Office when the officer retained duties, access and failed to verify payroll irregularities.
Anti‑corruption – Abuse of Office – elements: employee status, arbitrary act, abuse of authority, prejudice – acting appointment irregularity does not preclude criminal liability; IFMS/IPPS payroll verification duties and user credentials; burden of proof and mens rea; investigator need not be system expert; fair trial/recall of witness where document not admitted
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30 March 2026 |
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Convicted appellants failed to show exceptional circumstances for bail pending appeal; application dismissed and appeal to be fixed.
Bail pending appeal – discretionary relief under Section 40(2) CPC – burden on convicted appellants to show exceptional circumstances – criteria include character, first offender status, violence in offence, prospects of success, risk of delay – corruption offences may be as serious as violent offences – procedural requirement to prosecute appeal
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30 March 2026 |
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Anti-Corruption Division lacked jurisdiction to review administrative interdiction; matter transferred to the Civil Division.
Administrative law – interdiction of public officer – Public Service Commission Regulations and Uganda Public Service Standing Orders – judicial review – jurisdiction of Anti-Corruption Division – Chief Justice’s Practice Directions – Article 133(1)(b) – transfer to Civil Division.
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25 March 2026 |
| February 2026 |
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Court granted ex parte restraint and preservation orders at applicant's instance, maintaining $221,000 and freezing respondents' properties.
Anti‑Money Laundering Act/Anti‑Corruption Act – Ex parte restraining and preservation orders – authorised officers/DPP competence – reasonable grounds/balance of probabilities standard – proceeds of crime nexus – targeted bank account minimum balance – preservation of assets pending investigation and possible confiscation – six‑month limitation.
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23 February 2026 |
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Appeal dismissed: convictions for abuse of office, causing financial loss and false accounting upheld; sentences and restitution affirmed.
Anti‑Corruption Act — amendment of charges — when fresh consent of IGG/DPP required; Abuse of Office — improper safari day allowances; Causing Financial Loss — proof of loss and mens rea; False Accounting — furnishing questionable accountabilities; Sentencing — appellate restraint on sentence review; Mandatory disqualification from public office under s.46.
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13 February 2026 |
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Sureties’ obligations continue after charge amendment/transfer; failure to produce accused justifies arrest and bond enforcement.
Criminal procedure — Bail and sureties — Continuing obligations of sureties despite amendment or transfer of charges; committal to High Court does not lapse bail; failure to ensure accused's attendance justifies arrest and enforcement of bond.
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8 February 2026 |
| January 2026 |
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Applicant's challenge to respondent's investigative/prosecutorial role failed; stay of criminal trial refused.
Constitutional law – stay of criminal proceedings – separation of investigation and prosecution functions – delegation of prosecutorial powers (Art 120, s.222 MCA) – inherent jurisdiction to stay – balance of convenience and protection of fair trial rights.
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26 January 2026 |
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Whether a conveying vehicle is mandatorily forfeited on conviction despite third‑party ownership.
East African Community Customs Management Act – Sections 199(b)(iii), 211, 215, 217 – mandatory forfeiture of conveyance used to transport prohibited goods; Criminal Procedure Code Act – Section 50(5) – revision jurisdiction where third‑party rights implicated; third‑party property rights and lease arrangements; sentencing discretion bounded by statute.
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19 January 2026 |
| November 2025 |
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An interlocutory refusal to stay criminal proceedings pending judicial review is not revisable; civil review does not automatically halt prosecution.
Criminal procedure – Revision under section 50 CPCA – Revisional jurisdiction confined to final/dispositive orders – interlocutory rulings not revisable. Civil v criminal proceedings – Judicial review of evidence (audit) does not automatically stay criminal trial. Prosecutorial discretion – DPP’s authority to institute and conduct prosecutions; quashing part of evidence may not halt prosecution. Stay of proceedings – exceptional remedy only where prosecution amounts to abuse of process
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14 November 2025 |
| September 2025 |
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Court convicted district officers for causing financial loss, money‑laundering and conspiracy after irregular IFMS salary payments led to proven loss.
Anti‑corruption – Causing financial loss – irregular IFMS payments processed by a system super‑user and successive approvers; knowledge/’reason to know’ inferred from circumstantial evidence and failure to verify source documents; loss quantified at Ushs 247,934,074. Anti‑money laundering – proceeds of crime – recipients directed to withdraw and hand over funds; intentional assistance and acquisition by public officers
Conspiracy – agreement inferred from coordinated actions to effect and recover illicit payments
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30 September 2025 |
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Applicant failed to show due diligence or materiality to admit additional public documents on appeal; application dismissed.
Criminal procedure — Additional evidence on appeal (s.41 CPC) — principles: not available at trial, relevance, credibility, potential to create reasonable doubt — due diligence required — public/prosecution-held documents — appeal not a rehearing.
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22 September 2025 |
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A fresh memorandum after dismissal for want of prosecution is incompetent; reinstatement requires an application showing sufficient cause.
Appellate procedure – dismissal for want of prosecution – restoration of appeal – requirement to apply to restore and show sufficient cause – filing a fresh memorandum after dismissal is incompetent; appellate rules (Rule 66(5) CA, Rule 62(5) SC) instructive.
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17 September 2025 |
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Trial magistrate misapplied the no‑case standard; prosecution’s circumstantial evidence insufficient, appeal dismissed.
Criminal law – no‑case-to‑answer/prima facie standard – correct test at close of prosecution; Arson – elements and proof; Circumstantial evidence – must exclude reasonable innocent explanations; Identification and suspicion insufficient for conviction.
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10 September 2025 |
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High Court lacks jurisdiction to set aside a perfected plea bargain; only appellate or statutory remedy may overturn conviction.
Criminal procedure – Plea bargaining – limits of judicial review; functus officio doctrine Judicial review – amenability and jurisdiction: supervisory review limited to subordinate courts and public/quasi‑administrative bodies Time limits – extension of time for judicial review in interests of substantive justice Comparative law – Kenya and Tanzania statutory powers to set aside plea bargains versus absence of equivalent Ugandan provision
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8 September 2025 |
| August 2025 |
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An appellate court set aside acquittals and convicted respondents for causing financial loss, theft, and conspiracy to defraud a public entity.
Criminal law – Causing financial loss – Theft – Conspiracy to defraud – Statutory duties of public officers – Sufficiency of evidence – Accomplice corroboration – Role of directors in receipt and control of fraudulent funds – Equal application of criminal liability regardless of public office.
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28 August 2025 |
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A magistrate's order for re-commencement of a trial after file transfer is interlocutory and not subject to High Court revision.
Criminal procedure – revision – interlocutory versus final orders – transfer of trial and re-commencement before successor magistrate – section 144 Magistrates Courts Act – proper initiation of revision process – fair trial rights.
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18 August 2025 |
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Stay of execution pending appeal requires applicants to set out intended grounds of appeal in pleadings or affidavits.
Civil procedure – Stay of execution pending appeal – Requirement to show arguable grounds of appeal – Pleadings must set out intended grounds of appeal – Discretionary remedies.
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11 August 2025 |
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A remanded advocate charged with money laundering was granted bail, having proved a fixed abode, compliance, and substantial sureties.
Criminal procedure – Bail application – Discretionary grant of bail – Fixed place of abode – Abscondment – Substantiality of sureties – Economic crimes – Presumption of innocence – Conditions precedent for bail in money laundering cases
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11 August 2025 |
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Committal orders are not final and cannot be revised by the High Court; prosecutorial discretion over committals is unfettered.
Criminal procedure – Revision – Jurisdiction of High Court – Final orders – Committal to High Court – Discretion of Director of Public Prosecutions – Whether committal proceedings are amenable to revision.
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11 August 2025 |
| June 2025 |
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16 June 2025 |
| May 2025 |
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27 May 2025 |
| April 2025 |
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Criminal law—theft—conspiracy to defraud—lack of mens rea—no common intention—prosecution failed to link accused to fraudulent scheme—key accomplices not called as witnesses—accused acquitted
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30 April 2025 |
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Criminal procedure—private prosecution—money laundering—role of Magistrate—police investigation—application for restraining orders—no prima facie case—neutrality of magistrate—appeal dismissed
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25 April 2025 |
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Criminal law—causing financial loss—electronic fraud—money laundering—corruption—abuse of office—USD 8.5 million fraud—USD 8.2 million recovered—bail—substantial securities and sureties—application allowed with strict conditions
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22 April 2025 |
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Human rights—torture—unlawful detention—right to liberty—burden of proof—evidence standard—detention beyond 48 hours—detention in police custody—personal liability—public accountability—compensation—criminal trial upheld—no proof of torture
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14 April 2025 |
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Criminal law—corruption—asset recovery—restraining order—mortgagee interest—priority of registration—review—complicity—reasonable suspicion—Anti-Corruption Act—Section 62—legal interest—third party rights—stay lifted—order set aside
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11 April 2025 |
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Criminal law—causing the making of a false document—East African Community Customs Management Act—obtaining money by false pretenses—conspiracy to defraud—proof of documentary evidence—defective charges—admissibility of exhibits—role of customs officers—standard of proof—setting aside conviction and sentence
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7 April 2025 |
| March 2025 |
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Obtaining money by false pretence (UGX 18,500,000,000)—conspiracy to defraud (UGX 1,270,000,000)—money laundering—use of false identity—conviction & sentence
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18 March 2025 |
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Bail—corruption—money laundering—fixed abode—substantial sureties—remand period—presumption of innocence—discretionary power—parity of bail—monitoring through technology—conditions precedent—judicial notice of MPs’ financial standing
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17 March 2025 |
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Bail—presumption of innocence—right to apply for bail—corruption—causing financial loss—abuse of office—electronic fraud—money laundering—judicial discretion—substantial sureties—flight risk—interference with investigations—fixed place of abode—public interest—national financial security—bail terms—conditional release
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3 March 2025 |
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Corruption—public official—solicitation and acceptance of gratification—bribery—evaluation committee—due diligence—contract awarding—digital forensics—WhatsApp evidence—recorded conversation—conviction—sentencing—fine and imprisonment—ban from public office
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3 March 2025 |
| February 2025 |
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Criminal procedure—advocate—right to a fair hearing—trial delay—abuse of court process—judicial discretion—case management—prosecution misconduct—failure to enforce surety bonds—costs
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11 February 2025 |
| January 2025 |
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Conviction for conveying prohibited goods mandates forfeiture of the conveying vehicle despite third‑party ownership when lawfully in offender’s custody.
Forfeiture — East African Community Customs Management Act — Sections 199, 211, 215, 217(1) — mandatory forfeiture of vehicle used to convey prohibited goods upon conviction; third‑party ownership/lessee custody; revision vs appeal under Section 50(5) Criminal Procedure Code Act; civil remedy for aggrieved third parties.
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19 January 2025 |
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Criminal law—causing financial loss—section 20(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act—erroneous bank credit—utilization of funds without verification—knowledge or reason to believe loss would occur—circumstantial evidence—burden and standard of proof—intent to cause loss inferred from conduct—actual loss proved—conviction
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14 January 2025 |
| December 2024 |
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3 December 2024 |
| November 2024 |
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Dealing with suspect property—misuse of public resources—iron sheets allocation—ministerial accountability—predicate offence—knowledge of illegality—prima facie case—defense required
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27 November 2024 |
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Anti-Corruption Act—Restraining orders—Dissipation of tainted property—Reasonable belief—Ownership and possession of property—Ex parte applications—Jurisdiction —Burden of proof at restraint stage—Prevention of asset disposal—Link to alleged crime—Compensation and confiscation orders
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27 November 2024 |
| October 2024 |
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15 October 2024 |
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Applicant remanded over 180 days entitled to bail; court imposed stringent financial security and reporting conditions.
Criminal procedure – Bail – Article 23(6)(c) Constitution – Remand in custody over 180 days without committal – Right to bail; Sufficiency of sureties and security; Seriousness of alleged bank fraud, money laundering and conspiracy; Onerous bail conditions to mitigate flight risk.
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2 October 2024 |
| August 2024 |
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The applicant's bail was denied due to significant flight risk and inadequate substantial sureties amid multiple serious charges.
Bail — Trial on Indictments Act s.15(4) — fixed place of abode; admissibility of electronic records (Electronic Transactions Act); substantial sureties; prior bail compliance; multiplicity of pending charges and flight risk — stringent conditions required; bail refused for insufficient sureties and security.
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20 August 2024 |
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5 August 2024 |
| July 2024 |
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High Court lacked jurisdiction to stay execution of a compensation order pending a criminal appeal to the Supreme Court.
Criminal appeals – stay of execution – Rule 6(2)(a) Judicature (Supreme Court Rules) vests Supreme Court with power to suspend execution; Civil Procedure Act s.34(1) relates to execution matters but does not confer jurisdiction where decree is contested on appeal; jurisdictional objections may be raised at any stage; parties cannot confer jurisdiction.
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23 July 2024 |
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A conviction for personation and fraud was partly overturned for lack of proof of forgery, with sentence reduced and compensation upheld.
Criminal law – personation – personating a public officer – sufficiency of evidence for forgery – fair hearing – compensation for crime proceeds – sentencing discretion – use of property as security for compensation in criminal cases.
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12 July 2024 |
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Applicant failed to prove matrimonial interest or possession; objector application dismissed though execution proceedings were competent.
Civil procedure – objector proceedings under Order 22 Rules 55–57; execution is a process not an event; Section 44 Civil Procedure Act – attachment of saleable property; Land Act s.38A(4) – family land and spousal interests; burden of proof – objector must prove marital interest and possession.
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10 July 2024 |
| April 2024 |
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A diploma‑holding road inspector's report and false accountabilities can support embezzlement conviction; sentence upheld.
Criminal law – Embezzlement – False accountability and disbursement of public funds for no work as evidence of embezzlement
Evidence – Expert/opinion evidence – Diploma‑holding road inspector competent to assess road maintenance works; expert opinion is advisory. Administrative law – Engineers Registration Act not a bar to inspection evidence by diploma holders
Sentencing – Appellate restraint where sentence falls within guidelines; caution on using lack of remorse
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17 April 2024 |
| February 2024 |
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Court discharged accused found mentally incapable to stand trial and discontinued related proceedings.
Mental capacity to stand trial – psychiatric evidence establishing dementia/neurocognitive impairment – Trial on Indictments Act s45 and constitutional limits on detention – discharge/discontinuance of proceedings to prevent abuse of process.
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20 February 2024 |
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Court finds separate prosecutions concerned distinct transactions and refuses injunction against Inspectorate's prosecution.
Constitutional and criminal procedure – right to a fair trial – pretrial summonses and production orders – when investigatory summonses by Inspectorate of Government prejudice fair trial rights. Joinder and multiplicity of prosecutions – test for "same transaction" and "same character" – when separate prosecutions amount to abuse
Human Rights (Enforcement) Act 2019 – jurisdiction to entertain allegations of human‑rights infringements arising from pending criminal proceedings. Inspectorate of Government powers – constitutional investigatory and prosecutorial competence (Article 230)
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19 February 2024 |