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Juliet Nandecha v Edward Kayongo (Civil Suit No.187 of 2005) (Civil Suit No.187 of 2005) [2005] UGHC 51 (20 December 2005)
- Citation
- [2005] UGHC 51
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Civil Suit / Formal Proof After Interlocutory Judgment
- Case number
- Civil Suit No.187 of 2005
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Civil Suit / Formal Proof After Interlocutory Judgment
- Case number
- Civil Suit No.187 of 2005
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The defendant breached a fundamental term of the sale agreement by failing to deliver vacant possession and certificate of title to the plaintiff and instead selling the land to third parties. The contract was valid, and upon receipt of substantial part payment, the defendant became a trustee for the plaintiff. The breach entitled the plaintiff to restitution of the purchase price and damages. The court found that the plaintiff should be restored to her original position before the breach, ordering a refund of UGX 20,000,000 and an equal amount in general damages, plus interest and costs.
Court disposition
judgment_for_plaintiff
Orders
- Defendant to pay UGX 20,000,000 as refund of purchase price to plaintiff.
- Defendant to pay UGX 20,000,000 as general damages to plaintiff.
- Defendant to pay interest on the above sums at court rate from date of filing and judgment respectively.
- Defendant to pay costs of the suit.
02
Material facts
Parties
Juliet Nandecha
Plaintiff Counsel: Barenzi & Co. AdvocatesEdward Kayongo
DefendantAmounts and remedies
- Refund of Purchase Price: UGX 20,000,000
- General Damages: UGX 20,000,000
03
Procedural history
Posture
Civil Suit / Formal Proof After Interlocutory Judgment
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the defendant was in breach of the sale agreement.
- 02
What remedies are available to the plaintiff?
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The plaintiff argued that she paid UGX 20,000,000 as part payment for land sold by the defendant, but the defendant failed to grant vacant possession and certificate of title as agreed, and instead sold the land to third parties. She sought a refund of the money paid, general damages for breach of contract, interest, and costs.
- Respondent
- The defendant failed to file a Written Statement of Defence and did not contest the plaintiff's claims. No arguments were presented by the defendant.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Lysaght Vs Edwards [1876] 2 Ch. D 499
A valid contract of sale creates an equitable trust in favour of the purchaser, with the vendor holding the estate as trustee and the purchaser acquiring beneficial ownership.
- 02
Souza Fiquerrendo & Co. Vs Mooring Hotel [1960] EA 926
An unregistered interest operates as a contract between the parties and can give rise to specific performance or damages.
- 03
Dr Dennis Rwamafa Vs Attorney General [1992] KARL 21
A plaintiff who suffers damage due to the wrongful act of the defendant must be put in the position he would have been had he not suffered the wrong.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The defendant breached a fundamental term of the sale agreement by failing to deliver vacant possession and certificate of title to the plaintiff and instead selling the land to third parties. The contract was valid, and upon receipt of substantial part payment, the defendant became a trustee for the plaintiff. The breach entitled the plaintiff to restitution of the purchase price and damages. The court found that the plaintiff should be restored to her original position before the breach, ordering a refund of UGX 20,000,000 and an equal amount in general damages, plus interest and costs.
Obiter and limits
- Land prices have appreciated significantly since the time of the transaction, indicating the plaintiff cannot purchase similar land for the same amount now.
- The defendant's breach has placed the plaintiff in a critical financial position, and it is the defendant's responsibility to remedy this through payment of damages.
Court disposition
judgment_for_plaintiff
- Defendant to pay UGX 20,000,000 as refund of purchase price to plaintiff.
- Defendant to pay UGX 20,000,000 as general damages to plaintiff.
- Defendant to pay interest on the above sums at court rate from date of filing and judgment respectively.
- Defendant to pay costs of the suit.
Source and reliance status
High Court of Uganda
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
High Court of Uganda
Judgment
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.}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \s15\qc \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \tx1800\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \b\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par }\pard\plain \qc \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA
\par }\pard\plain \s1\qc \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \b\fs28\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\ulnone\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 CIVIL SUIT No. 187 OF 2005 \par }\pard\plain \qj \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 JULIET NANDECHA ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: PLAINTIFF \par }\pard\plain \s9\qc \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel8\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 - VERSUS -
\par }\pard\plain \s4\qj \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel3\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 EDWARD KAYONGO :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: DEFENDANT \par }\pard\plain \qj \fi-720\li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5597415 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 BEFORE: }{ \b\ul\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 HON. MR JUSTICE RUBBY AWERI OPIO \par }\pard \ql \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 {\b\ul\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 JUDGMENT}{\b\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 :- \par }\pard \qj \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 {\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant for a refund of shs.20,000,000/= (twenty million) as money had and received being part payment of the purchase price for land the defend ant sold to the plaintiff, a declaration that there was total failure of consideration from the defendant to the plaintiff entitling the plaintiff to a refund of the money paid, general damages for breach of contract, interest and costs of the suit.
\par \par The facts giving rise to the cause of action were that:- \par \par By a sale agreement dated 17}{\super\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 th}{\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 July 2002 one Prossy Nanziri who was the Defendant\rquote s sister sold two acres of land situate at Najjera, Wakiso District to the plaintiff at shs.18,000,000/= (Eighteen million). It later transpired that the said land was actually registered in the names of the defendant as administrator of his late brother \rquote s estate for which the defendant and his sister Prossy Nanziri, were claiming to be beneficiaries with the latter representing herself as an agent of the defendant. \par \par Upon mutual understanding among the defendant, his sister Nanziri and the plaintiff, another agreement replacing and or varying the previous one was entered on 26}{\super\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 th}{\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 August 2003. The said agreement included an a dditional portion of land (measuring half an acre), which increased the purchase price by shs.5,000,000/= (five million) for which the plaintiff paid shs.2,000,000/= (two million) cash leaving a balance of shs.3,000,000/= (three million) that was to be pa id after the defendant had granted vacant possession and passed a certificate of title to the plaintiff. \par \par }\pard\plain \s16\qj
\li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\fs24\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 The defendant has since then failed and/or ignored to grant the plaintiff vacant possession and certificate of title to the land as stipulated in the agreement. The plaintiff later on learnt that the defendant had sold the said land to a third party and all her efforts to take possession thereof were thwarted by the said new purchases. Hence this suit. \par }\pard\plain \qj \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 \par The defendant failed to file his Written Stateme nt of Defence whereupon an interlocutory judgment was entered against him and the matter proceeded for formal proof. The plaintiff led evidence from two witnesses: Wanyama Seperia Michael (PW1) and Juliet Nandecha (PW2). \par \par Wanyama Seperia Michael (PW1) testified that the plaintiff was his niece who parents had died in 1986 and 1988 respectively. He testified that after the death of the plaintiff\rquote s parents, the plaintiff was looked after by her aunt called Ruth Auma before he took over as her guardian. As a guardian, he decided to buy for her
2\'bd acres of land in Najeera, Kyadondo, Wakiso District as an investment. He bought the land from the defendant\rquote s sister (exhibit P1) but later on the defendant took over. \par \par In the new agreement there was an additional \'bd acre which was to cost additional shs.5,000,000/= (five million) out of that he paid shs.2,000,000/= (two million) to make a total of 20,000,000/= (twenty million). The balance of shs.3 million was to be paid at the production of certificate of title a nd during handover of the land to the plaintiff (exhibit P2). After the execution of the two agreements Prossy Nanziri and Kayongo Edward signed transfer and consent forms (exhibit P3 and P4 respectively). Thereafter he took surveyors who planted mark s t ones but when he attempted to take possession of the land the vendor Mr Kayongo stopped him alleging that there were issues he was still sorting out. Mr Kayongo told him that he was in the process of transferring title from the name of his deceased fath e r to his name. Thereafter he continued to contact Mr Kayongo but he continued to dodge him. He later on heard and confirmed that Mr Kayongo had sold the land to other people. He found that the land had been sold to David Oluka and Paul Osinde. That wa s when he decided to take up the matter to court for the refund of money paid under the transaction. \par \par Nandecha Juliet (PW2) testified
that she knew Wanyama (PW1) who was her uncle and guardian and was in-charge of her general welfare and upkeep. She testif ied that in the course of his duties Wanyama bought for her a piece of land with the money her parents had sent her from abroad. However they could not take possession of the same. So they were in court to have their money refunded. \par \par Mr Barenzi who appeared for the plaintiff filed written submissions where he raised two issues for determination:- \par \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\charrsid5597415 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (1)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-495\li-225\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx-225\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin-225\itap0\pararsid5597415 {\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 Whether the defendant was in breach of the sale agreement. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\charrsid5597415 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (2)\tab}What remedies are available to the plaintiff? \par }\pard \qj \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 {\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 \par I will deal with those issues in that order. \par \par As far a s the first issue is concerned, it is very clear from the evidence that there was a transaction between the plaintiff and the defendant in respect of sale of land
in which the plaintiff paid shs.20,000,000/= (twenty million). There was a balance of shs.3 , 000,000/= (three million), which was to be paid upon possession of title and handover of the said land. There was evidence that the defendant defaulted in handing over the title and possession of the said land. But instead the defendant decided to sell the same to other people to wit David Oluka and Paul Osinde. There was therefore a valid contract, which had been breached by the defendant. \par \par In }{\b\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 Lysaght Vs Edwards [1876] 2 Ch. D 499, }{\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 it was held by Sir George Jessel Mr, that the moment you have a valid co ntract of sale the vendor becomes in equity a trustee for the purchaser of the estate sold, and the beneficial ownership passes to the purchaser, the vendor having a right to the purchase money, a charge or lien on the estate for the security of the purch ase money and a right to retain possession of the estate until the purchase money is paid, in the absence of express contact as to the time of delivery possession. \par \par In the instant case, instead of delivering possession of title and the land, the defendant decided to sell the land to other people. The defendant was therefore in breach of a fundamental condition under the agreement of sale. \par \par As for the remedies available to the parties, it
was held in the case of }{\b\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 Souza Fiquerrendo & Co. Vs Mooring Hotel [1960] EA 926,}{\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 that an unregistered interest operates as a contract between the parties and can give right to specific performance or damages. \par \par In the instant case, the defendant was in breach because he had no right to sell the said land. Upon receiving subs tantial part payment of the purchase price, the defendant at common law had become a mere trustee holding the land in trust for the plaintiff: See }{\b\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 Lysaght Vs Edwards }{\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 (supra). The defendant\rquote s fraudulent acts would therefore entitle the plaintiff to sue fo r specific performance or damages. In the instant case the plaintiff decided to sue for the refund of the purchase price and damages for breach of contract. The position of the law was settled in the case of }{\b\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 Dr Dennis Rwamafa Vs Attorney General [1992] KARL 21}{\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 where it was held that the plaintiff who suffers damage due to wrongful act of the defendant must be put in the position he would have been had he not suffered the wrong. \par \par In the instant case the plaintiff paid shs.20,000,000/= (twenty million) for a piece of land which she never got because the defendant breached the sale agreement by selling the same to other people. In the circumstances the plaintiff is entitled to be restituted to the original position before the breach. Therefore the plaintiff
is entitled to a refund of her shs.20,000,000/= (twenty million). The plaintiff was highly inconvenienced. She had paid surveyors and people to clear the land. The same amount of money cannot now buy the same piece of land as prices have shot up. The plaintiff led evidence that at that time an acre used to cost about shs.9million but now it is shs.50,000,000/= (fifty million). That is a rough estimate. It is a general indicator that land is always appreciating. The defendant\rquote s breach has no doubt put the plaintiff in a critical mess. It should be the defendant to redeem that mess by paying damages. I order that shs.20,000,000/= (twenty million) be paid in damages. The plaintiff is also entitled to interest on the above sums at court rate from the date of filing and judgment respectively plus costs of the suit. \par \par \par }{\b\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 \par \par RUBBY AWERI OPIO \par JUDGE \par 20/12/2005. \par 20/12/2005:- \par }\pard\plain \s16\qj \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\fs24\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 Mr Sebunya Paul from Barenzi & Co. Advocates for applicant present. \par }\pard\plain \qj \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 Applicant present. \par Magara, Court Clerk present. \par \par }\pard\plain \s2\qj \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \b\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\fs24\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 Court:-
\par }\pard\plain \qj \li-720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin-720\itap0\pararsid5597415 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 Ruling read out in chambers. \par \par \par }{\b\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 \par WILSON MASALU-MUSENE \par REGISTRAR LAND DIVISION \par 20/12/2005.}{\insrsid5597415\charrsid5597415 \par }}
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