HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

The Civil Division is a division of the high court. It's functions include: Hearing appeal cases from the Magistrates' courts in connection with torts committed against the person, Defamation, Bankruptcy and company winding up matters, Partnership matters,Companies matters, Real and personal property.

Physical address
Twed towers, along Kafu Road, Nakasero.
23 judgments
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23 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
April 2015
Applicant lacked a valid interest in the conditional lease and thus could not obtain prerogative relief against the land board.
Judicial review – prerogative orders – certiorari/mandamus/injunction – remedy discretionary and directed at public bodies exercising public functions Administrative law – natural justice – right to be heard depends on existence of a legal interest and the circumstances Land law – conditional lease offers – acceptance, payment and availability as prerequisites Locus standi – applicant’s entitlement dependent on valid underlying title or accepted offer Remedy – where dispute is contractual/commercial, relief may be limited to refund or damages rather than prerogative orders
28 April 2015
Court verified the applicant’s UACE-equivalent credentials and ordered the party to admit him to its primaries.
Election/party primaries – candidate qualification – verification of academic credentials – recognition of UNEB letter as proof of UACE equivalence. Civil procedure – court’s remedial powers under Section 98, Civil Procedure Act, to order party officials to admit qualified candidates.
28 April 2015
Appeal allowed: trial court mis-evaluated evidence and made unsupported fraud findings; transfer ordered after balance paid.
Land law – acquisition of bibanja and equitable interest by part payment; rights of bona fide kibanja holders. Evidence – appellate review for mis-evaluation; findings must be supported by pleaded and adduced evidence. Fraud – must be pleaded and proved; court may not make unsupported fraud findings. Civil procedure – issues at scheduling conference bind the trial; court should not decide matters not before it. Locus in quo – absence of visit does not automatically vitiate a judgment where boundaries were not disputed. Damages – general damages require proof and quantification before award.
27 April 2015
Constitutional and tort claims for property loss during 1981–1983 were extinguished or time-barred; suit dismissed with costs.
Order 7 r.11 — plaint discloses no cause of action; Legal Notice No.1/1986 extinguishing claims (1 Nov 1978–26 Jan 1986); limitation — Cap 72 s.3(1) two-year bar for torts against government; distinction between ex-gratia offers and enforceable admissions/contract; requirement that constitutional remedies not be applied retroactively to pre-constitution acts.
27 April 2015
Impoundment lawful but excessive detention rendered it unlawful, entitling plaintiff to damages for loss and expenses.
Police powers to impound vehicles; over-detention of property unlawful where investigations are not expeditiously completed; proof and quantification of special damages and loss of earnings; nominal damages for invasion of rights.
24 April 2015
Administrator cannot acquire registrable land interest where deceased was a mere licencee, not a bona fide occupant.
Land law – Bona fide occupant – meaning under Land Act s.29(2); Licence excluded from bona fide occupancy s.29(4) – licence non-transferable; Letters of Administration do not create registrable interest where predecessor held only a licence.
23 April 2015
No prima facie case shown; injunction refused where structures unlawfully encroach on public access and KCCA acted within statutory powers.
Civil procedure – Temporary injunction – requirement of a prima facie case before considering balance of convenience and irreparable harm – encroachment on surveyed public access road – compliance with Physical Planning Act and building regulations – local authority’s duty to protect public easements.
22 April 2015
Court denied extension and leave to appeal, finding inordinate delay, counsel’s dilatory conduct, and no arguable ground to appeal.
Civil procedure – extension of time – sufficient cause – negligence of counsel; Civil procedure – leave to appeal – amendment of pleadings – principles for allowing amendment; Omnibus applications – permissible to avoid multiplicity; Abuse of process – delay and malafide amendments; Costs awarded against unsuccessful applicant.
20 April 2015
17 April 2015
The applicant’s dismissal under Order 17 r.5 without hearing was erroneous and could not support res judicata; both dismissals were set aside.
Civil procedure – Revision under s.83 CPA – Material irregularity in lower court’s procedure; Order 17 r.5 CPR v. r.6 CPR – Dismissal for want of prosecution/inordinate delay; Res judicata – requirement of final adjudication; Stay of execution and costs.
16 April 2015
Appellate court finds house jointly acquired during marriage; parties hold equal shares and valuation/buy-out ordered.
Divorce and matrimonial property – Evidence — necessity of sworn testimony under the Evidence Act — unsworn affidavits/addresses insufficient; matrimonial property — non-monetary contributions (labour, supervision, provision of materials) confer an interest; presumption of equal shares absent contrary agreement; independent valuation and buy-out remedy.
16 April 2015
Registered title obtained through fraud or illegality may be set aside to protect a customary/kibanja interest.
Land law – trespass and boundaries – customary/kibanja interests – Certificate of Title – fraud and illegality in procurement of registration – effect of s59 RTA – cancellation and correction of title – equitable remedies and injunctions.
16 April 2015
Land
15 April 2015
15 April 2015
Service of summons on a branch manager constituted effective service on the corporate defendant; appeal dismissed with costs.
Civil procedure – Service of process on a corporation – Order 29 r.2(a) CPR – branch manager can be a "principal officer" for service – setting aside ex parte judgment – misdirection on Order 29 r.2(b) but no prejudice.
14 April 2015
Appeal dismissed: the land claim was barred by res judicata due to an earlier judgment over part of the same land.
Res judicata – application of section 7 Civil Procedure Act – prior judgment adjudicating part of disputed land bars subsequent suit; land disputes – pleadings must identify whether earlier adjudicated portions fall within current claim; preliminary dismissal where matter already finally decided.
14 April 2015
Civil Procedure|Land
10 April 2015
Civil Procedure|Limitation Period|Land
10 April 2015
Failure to show sufficient cause and evidence of relinquishment defeated application to set aside ex parte judgment.
Civil procedure – setting aside ex parte judgment – sufficient cause to file defence; medical evidence and ability to instruct counsel or agent; prima facie defence – effect of memorandum evidencing relinquishment of interest in suit land; discretionary exercise of court’s power to set aside judgments.
9 April 2015
Civil Procedure|Parties|Joinder
8 April 2015
Civil Procedure
7 April 2015
Bank liable where its auctioneer failed to secure vacant possession; purchaser awarded full refund, damages and costs.
Mortgage sale – auctioneer as agent of mortgagee – liability for failure to secure vacant possession; refund of purchase money including sums paid to auctioneer; special damages for loan interest refused for lack of proof and illegality under Money Lenders Act; award of general damages, interest and costs; cancellation of title.
7 April 2015
Civil Procedure
1 April 2015