HC: Land Division (Uganda)

The Land Division is a Division created at the High Court Head office at Kampala.

The Division is charged with the following functions:Responsibility of supervising the work of Land Tribunals, the adjudication of all land related dispute fall under this Division. The land Division is established with three judges with a separate registry for the Division .There is a Registrar for the Land Division who doubles as the Registrar of the Land Tribunals. A desk office was also established under the office of the Registrar to handle the activities of the District Land Tribunals.

 

Physical address
Twed Towers, along Kafu Road, Nakasero, Kampala.
2,678 judgments
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2,678 judgments
Citation
Judgment date
September 2025
Stay of execution granted pending appeal, conditional on applicant paying UGX 10,000,000 security.
Civil procedure – Stay of execution – Conditions for stay (notice of appeal; imminent execution; substantial loss; promptness; security) – Security required for due performance of decree – Stay granted upon payment of UGX 10,000,000 pending appeal.
18 September 2025
Stay of execution struck out for failure to pay court fees and rendered moot by reinstatement of names on title.
Interlocutory application — stay of execution pending appeal — non-payment of court filing fees; endorsement requirement — court’s discretion under Judicature (Court Fees) Rules — mootness where decree already executed (reinstatement of names on title).
17 September 2025
Expiry of a lease does not necessarily render a suit moot where the legality of re-entry and termination remains a live controversy.
Mootness — whether expiry of a lease by effluxion of time renders proceedings academic; Justiciability of legality of re-entry and termination of lease; Remedies post-expiry (damages, compensation under statute); Court's power to correct clerical/error rulings under Sections 98 and 99 Civil Procedure Act; Withdrawal of proceedings — requirement of leave where defence filed (Order 25).
16 September 2025
A family land dispute in which the court held the defendant was a trespasser and ordered them to vacate the disputed kibanja.
Land law – Family land disputes – Kibanja/occupant’s rights – Proof of possession and ownership – Trespass – Burden of proof – Section 35(8) Land Act – Effect of registered title on bona fide occupant – Remedies and damages.
12 September 2025
The defendant unlawfully interfered with the plaintiffs' property rights without complying with compulsory acquisition procedures, warranting damages.
Land Law – Compulsory acquisition – procedure under Constitution and Land Acquisition Act – requirement for compensation – effect of caveat emptor and statutory instruments – unlawful interference with proprietary rights – damages for interference without lawful acquisition.
12 September 2025
The plaintiffs’ suit was dismissed as res judicata because a prior judgment had already determined the parties’ rights over the land.
Res judicata – Civil Procedure Act s.7 and Explanation 4; issue deemed directly and substantially in issue where it might or ought to have been raised in former suit; mortgage registration on land discovered post-judgment; appropriate remedy for newly discovered evidence — review application; dismissal under O.6 r.29 Civil Procedure Rules.
11 September 2025
Application dismissed under O.9 r.17 CPR for failure of parties and counsel to attend a hearing fixed at the applicant’s request.
Land procedure — Non-attendance at fixed hearing — Court’s power to dismiss proceedings — Order 9 r.17 Civil Procedure Rules — Failure to prosecute/attend.
11 September 2025
A suit seeking to revisit previously litigated land issues without joining all administrators was struck out as frivolous and vexatious.
Civil procedure – striking out of plaint – filing timelines for affidavits in reply – res judicata – necessity of joining all administrators as parties – abuse of court process – frivolous and vexatious proceedings – proper procedure for challenging decisions of land registry authorities.
10 September 2025
A party in contempt of court cannot be heard on related applications until purging their contempt of court orders.
Contempt of court – right of audience – application for stay of execution – whether contemnor may be heard before purging contempt – jurisdiction to dismiss application where previous orders remain unfulfilled.
10 September 2025
A non-existent school management committee lacks capacity to sue, rendering its application inadmissible for want of locus standi.
Civil procedure – locus standi – school management committees – capacity to sue – statutory requirements – non-existence of legal entity – Education Act and regulations – preliminary objection upheld.
9 September 2025
A non-existent school management committee lacks capacity to sue or be sued and cannot be ordered to pay or receive costs.
Civil procedure – Legal capacity – locus standi – educational institutions – non-existent management committees – stay of execution – costs – mootness
9 September 2025
9 September 2025
No appeal lies against a High Court revision decision under Section 83 of the Civil Procedure Act; application dismissed for non-appearance.
Civil Procedure – Revision decisions – Finality – No right of appeal from High Court revision under Section 83, Civil Procedure Act – Non-appearance and dismissal – Order 9, Rule 22, Civil Procedure Rules.
5 September 2025
Application dismissed under Order 9 r.17 CPR for parties' non-attendance with no reason offered.
Civil procedure – dismissal for non-attendance – application dismissed under Order 9 rule 17 CPR where all parties failed to attend and no reason was given.
4 September 2025
Subdivision and transfer of suit land in violation of an interim court order amounted to contempt, warranting a fine against the respondents.
Contempt of court – Interim injunction – Subdivision and transfer of land in breach of court order – Limitation of remedy where third-party interests have arisen – Fines as penalty for contempt – Administration of estates – Abuse of process – Procedural objections in contempt proceedings.
4 September 2025
A stay of proceedings cannot be granted where no competent appeal exists and no exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.
Civil Procedure – Stay of proceedings – Requirements for competent appeal – Exceptional circumstances – Late filing of documents – Consequences of non-compliance with procedural timelines.
3 September 2025
Executors substituted as parties under Order 24 CPR after plaintiff's death; applicants ordered to pay application costs.
Civil procedure – Substitution of parties – Order 24 CPR – Executors substituted for deceased plaintiff to enable continuation of suit; service refusal not fatal to application. Costs – applicant ordered to pay costs of substitution application.
3 September 2025
An application was dismissed with costs due to non-appearance by the applicants and their advocates.
Civil Procedure – Dismissal for non-appearance – Order 9 Rule 22 CPR – Non-attendance of applicant and counsel – Application dismissed with costs.
3 September 2025
Court appointed a legal representative for a deceased defendant and set aside an ex parte order to ensure fair defence.
Civil Procedure – Substitution of party – Appointment of legal representative for deceased defendant – Setting aside ex parte order – Validation of written statement of defence
3 September 2025
Court validated an amended appeal and allowed late service, holding that counsel’s error in party names should not prejudice the applicant.
Civil procedure – amendment of pleadings – memorandum of appeal – rectification of party names – validation out of time – effect of advocate’s error – inherent powers of court to ensure justice.
3 September 2025
A court may order eviction and damages for continuing trespass where boundary encroachment is established by survey evidence.
Land law – boundary disputes – trespass to land – continuing tort – limitation of actions – eviction orders – survey evidence – damages for trespass – burden of proof – effect of failure to plead adverse possession.
3 September 2025
A suit instituted against a deceased person is a nullity and ex parte proceedings irregularly obtained may be set aside for fair hearing.
Civil procedure – Suit against deceased person – Proper parties to proceedings – Setting aside ex parte judgment – Substituted service – Enlargement of time to file defence – Fair hearing requirements.
1 September 2025
August 2025
Leave granted to amend pleadings in a land dispute to add new defendants and plead fraud, ensuring all questions are resolved.
Civil Procedure – amendment of pleadings – addition of parties – joinder of necessary parties – amendment to plead fraud in land dispute – joinder to avoid multiplicity of suits.
29 August 2025
A temporary injunction restraining development of land was refused where the applicant failed to prove irreparable harm.
Civil procedure – temporary injunction – conditions for grant – prima facie case – irreparable harm – balance of convenience – land disputes – protection of property interests pending suit – effect of caveat on likelihood of irreparable loss.
29 August 2025
A claimant with a demonstrated legal interest in suit land was granted leave to be joined as defendant in ongoing proceedings.
Civil Procedure – Joiner of parties – Amendment of pleadings – Legal interest in disputed land – Necessary parties – Avoidance of multiplicity of suits.
29 August 2025
A counterclaim alleging a disguised loan and refusal of redemption discloses a cause of action despite a certificate of title.
Civil procedure – cause of action – counterclaim – whether disguised loan agreement entitles mortgagor to equitable right of redemption – impeachment of certificate of title for fraud – equitable remedies in land disputes.
29 August 2025
Court ordered substitution of administrators as plaintiffs and amendment of pleadings after revocation of prior administrator’s powers.
Civil procedure – substitution of parties – locus standi – administrators of estates – amendment of pleadings – revocation of letters of administration – representation of estates in court.
29 August 2025
Court clarifies principles for granting injunctions, restoring rent collection to possessor and preserving property until suit's resolution.
Injunctions – temporary and mandatory injunctions – status quo – possession versus registered ownership – irreparable injury – balance of convenience – discretion in granting interlocutory relief – preservation of property during litigation.
29 August 2025
The court allowed an application to extend time for appealing due to minor delay and the merits requiring judicial consideration.
Civil procedure – extension of time – discretion of court – sufficient cause for delay – access to court rulings via electronic systems – interests of justice.
29 August 2025
Leave to appeal was granted upon finding prompt filing and arguable grounds concerning conflicting land judgments.
Civil procedure – leave to appeal – grounds required for grant of leave – existence of arguable or meritorious grounds – prompt filing – effect of conflicting judgments on same property.
29 August 2025
29 August 2025
A registrar lacks jurisdiction to determine applications for review under Order 46; such applications must be heard by a Judge.
Civil procedure – Jurisdiction of registrars – Application for review – Order 46 of Civil Procedure Rules – Whether registrar has power to entertain review applications – Jurisdiction limited to powers conferred by statute.
29 August 2025
A Registrar lacks jurisdiction to determine review applications under Order 46; such matters must be heard by a Judge.
Civil procedure — Jurisdiction of Registrar — Whether Registrar can hear review applications under Order 46 Rule 2 — Scope of Order 50 (Registrar's powers, referral to Judge, appeal from Registrar) — Execution by eviction stayed pending proper review.
29 August 2025
A registered proprietor is entitled to vacant possession when Kibanja interests are sold and transferred without landlord’s consent, rendering buyers trespassers.
Land law – Kibanja interests – consent of registered land owner – Mailo land – transfers of occupancy – trespass – requirement of landlord consent for valid Kibanja transactions – Section 35 Land Act – consequences of unlawful occupation.
29 August 2025
The court rejected video evidence for failure to prove its integrity and authenticity as required under electronic evidence law.
Evidence – Electronic evidence – Admissibility – Requirement for integrity and originality under section 6(1)a of the Electronic Transaction Act – Burden to prove authenticity – Relevance of transcription where audio is not material.
27 August 2025
A subsequent suit over land ownership is barred as res judicata where the issue has already been conclusively decided in a previous case.
Civil procedure – res judicata – judgment in rem – land ownership – allegations of fraud as exception to res judicata – finality of judgments – estoppel of claims in subsequent suits involving same subject matter.
27 August 2025
An appeal challenging execution and taxation was dismissed as res judicata after final judicial determination and completed execution.
Civil Procedure – competence of appeal – res judicata – execution – taxation – ex parte proceedings – whether appeal can be entertained after issues have been finally determined – principle of finality in litigation.
27 August 2025
Application dismissed for want of prosecution; no order as to costs under section 17(2) of the Judicature Act.
Civil procedure – want of prosecution – dismissal for failure to diligently prosecute an application filed in 2019; Civil procedure – costs – discretion under section 17(2) Judicature Act Cap.16 to make no order as to costs.
27 August 2025
A suit dismissed for non-appearance was reinstated after the applicant showed genuine error and absence of dilatory conduct.
Civil procedure – setting aside dismissal for non-appearance – sufficient cause – mistake of counsel – affidavits by non-parties – reinstatement of suit – discretion of court.
27 August 2025
Applicants failed to establish grounds for review of an order allowing the landlord to collect rent; application dismissed.
Civil procedure – review of court orders – sufficient grounds for review – status and rights of tenants – aggrieved party – status quo – proprietary interests – error apparent on record – discovery of new evidence.
27 August 2025
The court granted leave to appeal to clarify whether a consequential order for vacant possession properly flowed from prior judgments.
Civil procedure – application for leave to appeal – criteria for grant of leave – consequential orders – clarification of effect of prior judgments on right to possession – arguable grounds of appeal.
27 August 2025
Court affirmed ownership and ordered eviction of an unlawful occupant from estate land bequeathed under a valid will.
Succession law – valid will – probate – distribution of estate – land ownership – trespass – remedies including eviction, injunction, damages and interest.
27 August 2025
Applicants' settlement negotiations explained inactivity; dismissal set aside and suit reinstated with costs.
Civil procedure – setting aside dismissal for want of prosecution – Section 98 CPA; Order 52 CPR – explanation for inactivity by bona fide settlement negotiations – affidavit of service required to support procedural objections – discretion to reinstate for merits of compensation claim.
22 August 2025
A suit dismissed for want of prosecution was reinstated as applicants showed ongoing interest and justified delay by negotiations.
Civil Procedure – Application to set aside dismissal for want of prosecution – Sufficient cause – Settlement negotiations as explanation for delay – Reinstatement of suit – Consideration of interest of justice.
22 August 2025
A stay of execution was granted to allow determination of a jurisdictional and procedural challenge in pending revision proceedings.
Civil procedure – stay of execution – pending revision proceedings – imminent risk of prejudice – procedural fairness – jurisdictional challenge – Section 83 Civil Procedure Act.
22 August 2025
Court granted an interim stay of execution due to pending appeals, a substantive application, and an imminent threat of execution.
Civil procedure – interim stay of execution – conditions for granting interim stay – pending appeals and applications – imminent threat of execution – judicial discretion.
21 August 2025
Application to substitute parties and amend plaint refused; court compels land office to provide certified copies of title documents.
Civil Procedure – Substitution of Parties – Amendment of Pleadings – Relevance of Evidence – Compulsion of Production of Official Documents – Powers of Court regarding discovery and production of land title documents.
21 August 2025
A suit dismissed for non-attendance may be reinstated where absence was due to counsel's mistaken advice.
Civil procedure – Dismissal for non-attendance – Reinstatement of suit – Sufficient cause – Mistake by advocate as justification for setting aside dismissal.
21 August 2025
A party was granted a stay of execution of judgment pending appeal, having satisfied all legal requirements for such an order.
Civil procedure – stay of execution – principles governing stay of execution pending appeal – substantial loss – security for due performance – timing of application.
21 August 2025
A purchaser of suit land during pending litigation cannot obtain review of court orders absent a clear error on the record.
Civil procedure – review of judgment – error apparent on the face of the record – effect of purchase of land pendente lite – whether a person who acquires interest in suit land after litigation has commenced is entitled to review orders of the court where not made a party to the suit.
21 August 2025