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Uganda Judgment

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Ayebale v Namanda and Others (Miscellaneous Application No. 1780 of 2022) [2023] UGHCLD 18 (6 February 2023)

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01

Holding and result

The court found that the order sought by the applicant would alter, rather than preserve, the status quo on the suit land by permitting new construction and foundations. Such a variation would defeat the purpose of the restraining order issued under Order 41 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules, which is intended to maintain the current state of affairs and prevent actions that could prejudice the outcome of the main suit. The applicant failed to show sufficient cause for the variation, and the application was therefore misconceived and without merit. The court emphasized that the main suit would be fast-tracked to address the parties' concerns expeditiously.

Court disposition

application dismissed

Orders

  • This application is dismissed.
  • Costs shall be in the cause.

02

Material facts

Parties

Grace Akello Ayebare

Applicant Counsel: Nuwagaba Patrick

Ritah Namanda Kaboyo

Respondent Counsel: Pande Norman

Tungakwo Bernard

Respondent Counsel: Ronald Kwesiga

Owembabazi Enid

Respondent Counsel: Kubakulungi Elly

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Miscellaneous Application / Ruling

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Whether sufficient cause has been shown to grant the order varying the interim restraining order to permit construction of a retaining wall.

Party arguments

Applicant
The applicant seeks a variation of the interim restraining order issued on November 17, 2020, to permit her to construct a retaining wall on the suit land. She relies on her affidavit in support, arguing that the construction is necessary and does not prejudice the respondents.
Respondent
The respondents, though served, did not file any replies or arguments in opposition to the application.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Order 41 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules

    The purpose of a temporary injunction is to preserve the status quo and prevent wastage, damage, alienation, sale, removal, or disposal of the suit property until the main suit is determined.

  2. 02

    Order 41 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules

    Any variation of a restraining order made under Order 41 Rule 1 must be within the context of preserving the status quo.

  3. 03

    Giella v Cassman Brown & Co. Ltd [1973] E.A. 358-361

    A court should not grant orders that would defeat the purpose of a restraining order or render the main suit nugatory.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The court found that the order sought by the applicant would alter, rather than preserve, the status quo on the suit land by permitting new construction and foundations. Such a variation would defeat the purpose of the restraining order issued under Order 41 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules, which is intended to maintain the current state of affairs and prevent actions that could prejudice the outcome of the main suit. The applicant failed to show sufficient cause for the variation, and the application was therefore misconceived and without merit. The court emphasized that the main suit would be fast-tracked to address the parties' concerns expeditiously.

Obiter and limits

  • The court noted that the respondents elected not to file any replies despite being served with court process.
  • To allay any fears harbored by any party, the Head suit will be fast tracked and disposed of quickly.
  • Ruling delivered electronically on the Judiciary ECCMIS system and via email to the parties.

Court disposition

application dismissed

  • This application is dismissed.
  • Costs shall be in the cause.

Source and reliance status

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

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Source document

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Judgment text

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Source document

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Judgment

[2023] UGHCLD 18

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA

[LAND DIVISION]

MISC. APPLICATION NO. 1780 OF 2022

[ARISING FROM MISC. APPLICATIONS NO. 1073 & 1074 OF 2020]

[ALL ARISING FROM HCCS NO. 584 OF 2020]

GRACE AKELLO AYEBARE

.................

APPLICANT

$\mathsf{V}$

- RITAH NAMANDA KABOYO $1.$ - TUNGAKWO BERNARD $2.$ - OWEMBABAZI ENID $3.$

...... ...............................

BEFORE: - HON. LADY JUSTICE P. BASAZA - WASSWA

RULING

Representation:

- Mr. Nuwagaba Patrick for the Applicant - Mr. Pande Norman for the 1<sup>st</sup> Respondent. - Mr. Ronald Kwesiga for the 2<sup>nd</sup> Respondent - Mr. Kubakulungi Elly for the 3<sup>rd</sup> Respondent

Introduction:

This is an application by which the Applicant; Ms. Ayebare seeks that the order $[1]$ of the learned Deputy Registrar; HW Flavia Nabakooza, issued on November 17, 2020 vide Misc. Applic. No. 1073 of 2020, be varied to permit her construct a retaining wall.

Macamel anny b/2

$[2]$ The said order of November 17, 2020 read as follows;

'That the INTERIM ORDER issued on the 2<sup>nd</sup> day of September is hereby extended but modified to restraining the respondents, their agents, legal representatives, assignees, servants or any other person from selling or excavating the land comprised in Busiro Block 411 Plot 768 Land at Sisa pending the hearing and disposal of this application.

That the status quo of the suit land being the on- going construction and developments shall proceed however no new foundations nor buildings should be erected on the same'

The above order was a variation of an earlier order dated September 2, 2020 in $[3]$

Misc. Application No. 1074 of 2020 that read that;

'AN INTERIM ORDER do issue restraining the respondents, their agents, legal representatives, assignees, servants or any other person from trespassing onto, selling, constructing, developing, evicting, encroaching / entering thereon and or from any other dealings in the land comprised in Busiro Block 411 Plot 768 Land at Sisa pending the hearing of Miscellaneous Application No. 1073 of 2020 for a temporary injunction'

- The grounds of this application are contained in the Applicant's unusually long $[4]$ affidavit in support thereof, which can be found on the court record and need not be laid out here. - All the Respondents, although served with court process, elected not to file any $[5]$ replies in answer to this application.

Issue for court's determination:

Whether sufficient cause has been shown to grant the Order sought? $[6]$

Decision of Court:

The purpose of a temporary injunction under Order 41 Rule 1 of the Civil $[7]$ Procedure Rules (CPR) is to preserve the status quo, to prevent any wastage, damage, alienation, sale, removal or disposal of the suit property until the

Macamblume b/2

questions in the Head suit are investigated and finally disposed of. See Order 41 Rule 1 of the CPR and See Giella v Cassman Brown & Co. Ltd<sup>1</sup>.

- Any variation of a restraining Order, such as the Order of November 17, 2020 [8] that was made under the provisions of Order 41 Rule 1, should only be made within the context and realm of Order 41 Rule 1, to wit; within the realm of preserving the status quo. - In converse to the above, the order sought herein seeks to change, rather than to $[9]$ preserve, the status quo. It seeks that fresh construction and new foundations be allowed, which in my view, would defeat the purpose of the restraining Order, and would in effect render the Head suit nugatory. - I accordingly find no merit in this application, which, with respect, is $[10]$ misconceived. To allay any fears harbored by any party, the Head suit will be fast tracked and disposed of quickly. - In the result, this application is dismissed. The costs shall be in the cause. $[11]$

Macamblum 6/2

P. BASAZA - WASSWA

JUDGE

February 6, 2023

Ruling delivered electronically on the Judiciary ECCMIS system and via email to the parties.

<sup>&</sup>lt;sup>1</sup> [1973] E. A at pages 358 -361

Source wording is retained. Consult the source document for its original formatting and pagination.

Authorities

Authorities used by the court

Cases, legislation, regulations, and constitutional provisions identified in the available record.

Giella v Cassman Brown & Co. Ltd [1973] E.A. 358-361

Case cited

Order 41 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

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