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.
21 judgments
  • Filters
  • Judges
  • Alphabet
Sort by:
21 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
May 2018
Applicant’s cheque-based claim dismissed; respondent awarded damages for fraud, breach of trust and illegal execution.
Civil procedure – alleged debt by cheques – credibility of parties; breach of trust – theft of cheque leaves; execution and sale – fraud and illegality; remedies – damages, restoration/value and criminal investigation.
31 May 2018
Plaintiff’s cheque claims dismissed; court found theft and fraudulent attachment, awarded damages to defendant and ordered police investigation.
Civil procedure – misuse of court process – fraudulent attachment and sale – court empowered to restore property or award compensation where sale is riddled with fraud and illegality. Evidence – assessment of credibility – unsworn/uncorroborated plaintiff evidence versus consistent corroborated defence witnesses. Trust and fiduciary breach – theft or misuse of company cheque leafs by a person with access during another’s incapacity. Remedies – damages, costs and criminal investigation where civil acts are linked to alleged fraud.
31 May 2018
31 May 2018
Interlocutory mandatory injunction to seize disputed gaming machines denied where ownership and licensing were contested and balance of convenience favoured respondent.
Civil procedure — Interlocutory mandatory injunction — High threshold of proof; balance of convenience; preservation of assets; adequacy of damages — Licensing under Lotteries and Gaming Act relevant to ownership/possession dispute.
29 May 2018
High Court lacks original jurisdiction to hear judicial review of electoral complaints under Articles 61, 64 and s.15 ECA.
Constitutional and electoral law – jurisdiction of High Court – Article 61(1)(f) and Article 64(1)–(4) – complaints and appeals against Electoral Commission decisions. Administrative law – judicial review vs statutory appeal – propriety of remedy where statute prescribes appeal procedure (s.15 Electoral Commission Act). Civil procedure – preliminary objection – incompetence for failure to follow prescribed constitutional/statutory process.
28 May 2018
Plaintiffs awarded repayment, loss-of-income compensation and general damages for breach/fraud arising from an oral vehicle supply agreement.
Contract — oral agreement to purchase buses — breach where plaintiffs paid but were deprived of value due to defendants' actions; Remedies — repayment of sums paid, compensation for loss of income, general damages, interest and costs; Fraud — false representation/omission found sufficient to justify restitution and damages.
28 May 2018

 

28 May 2018
An appeal cannot be premised on inherent jurisdiction; appellate rights must have statutory basis.
Civil procedure – Appeals – Appellate jurisdiction is statutory; no inherent appellate jurisdiction – Reliance on Section 98 Civil Procedure Act does not create a right of appeal – Appeal incompetent and dismissed with costs.
25 May 2018
A Magistrate Grade One lacked pecuniary jurisdiction because the land dispute exceeded its monetary limit.
Civil procedure – Revision under s.83 CPA – Jurisdictional limits of Magistrate Grade One (s.207 MCA) – Distinction between trespass and recovery of land – Requirement to state value of subject matter in plaint for pecuniary jurisdiction – Territorial jurisdiction of magistrates' courts.
25 May 2018

 

25 May 2018
Alleged phone hacking raised a triable privacy issue but insufficient evidence and public interest defeated interim injunctions.
Interlocutory injunctions — requirements (serious issue to be tried; irreparable harm; balance of convenience); Privacy — alleged unauthorised access to mobile communications; Hearsay inadmissible — media reports not proof of ongoing conduct; Regulatory relief — licence renewal not shown to be nexus to private privacy complaint; Public interest and prejudice to third parties in balance of convenience.
25 May 2018
Whether only employees employed on 15 May 1995 are entitled to reserved shares’ proceeds and related interest.
Contract interpretation – written share subscription and shareholders agreement – parol evidence rule (Evidence Act ss.91–92) and effect of extrinsic variation by unilateral management decision. Third-party beneficiary/privity – entitlement of intended beneficiaries to enforce contractual benefits. Entitlement to proceeds from sale of reserved employee shares – employees employed at date of agreement (15 May 1995) only. Dividends/payments – treatment of amounts paid into Provident Fund vs proceeds payable to beneficiaries. Remedies – award of principal sum with interest (8% p.a.), refusal of exemplary damages and additional currency-depreciation interest.
22 May 2018
Court denies injunction request due to lack of ongoing rights violation and favors respondents on balance of convenience.
Civil Procedure - Temporary injunction - Privacy and telecommunication - Risk of irreparable harm - License renewal of telecommunication company
21 May 2018
Appellate court upheld dismissal under O.17 r.4 for failure to prosecute; alleged illness unproven and appeal dismissed.
Civil Procedure — Order 17 Rule 4 — dismissal for failure to produce evidence; judicial discretion to decide suit immediately when a party fails to adduce evidence. Leave to appeal — O.44/Civil Procedure — where leave previously granted, separate leave not required in same court. Sufficient cause — alleged illness or counsel negligence will not excuse non-prosecution where illness is unproved and litigant remains passive. Appellate review — first appellate court may re-appreciate evidence and assess exercise of trial discretion.
11 May 2018
High Court refuses revision: magistrate acted within jurisdiction; ex parte judgment lawful; applicant failed to prove wrong party.
Civil Procedure – Revision under section 83 CPA – scope limited to jurisdiction, illegality or material irregularity; ex parte proceedings lawful where party or counsel absent without valid reason; lis pendens under section 6 CPA; severance of false portions of affidavits; late submissions expunged.
10 May 2018
3 May 2018
3 May 2018
2 May 2018
Applicant’s special certificate of title procured by implied fraud; title cancelled, counterclaimant awarded damages and costs.
Land law – Registration of Titles Act (ss.70–72) – special certificate of title – issuance only where original/duplicate is lost or destroyed – alleged fraudulent procurement of special certificate; Evidence – burden and standard to prove fraud – fraud may be inferred from illegality and unexplained documentary inconsistencies; Succession – estate rights and letters of administration as defense to post-death transfers; Remedies – cancellation of tainted title, declaratory relief, damages, costs and interest.
2 May 2018
A student may inspect his exam scripts to verify results; court ordered disclosure under its inherent powers.
Examination law – Access to examination scripts – Candidate’s right to inspect handwritten scripts to verify results; Constitutional right to education (Art.30); Civil Procedure Act s.98 – inherent powers to order disclosure; Administrative fairness in examination processes.
2 May 2018
Plaintiff’s registered title was held obtained by fraud; special certificate cancelled, suit dismissed, counterclaim succeeds with costs and damages.
Land law – Registered title – Indefeasibility subject to fraud – Special certificate issuance under Sections 70–72 Registration of Titles Act – Succession/estate rights and administration – Burden and standard of proof in fraud allegations.
2 May 2018