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Uganda Judgment

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Musebeni Baguma v Commissioner Land Registration and Another (Miscellaneous Application 219 of 2021) [2023] UGHCLD 153 (21 June 2023)

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01

Holding and result

The court found that the applicant, as decree holder, is entitled to the execution of the orders made in Civil Appeals No. 40 & 41 of 2010, specifically the issuance of a Certificate of Title for Kyaggwe Block 92 Plot 166, less 0.25 acres previously transferred. The respondents, being the authorities responsible for land registration and mapping, are under a legal obligation to effectuate the decree and ensure the applicant receives title to the decretal land. The court emphasized that its prior judgment must be given effect and that the applicant's continued possession and enjoyment of the land supports the grant of the orders sought. No costs were awarded in this application.

Court disposition

application_granted

Orders

  • The respondents are directed to take all necessary steps to ensure the orders of the High Court dated 16th November, 2012, are executed within thirty days of receiving this ruling, including issuance of a Certificate of Title for Kyaggwe Block 92 Plot 166 to the applicant, less 0.25 acres previously transferred.
  • No costs are awarded.

02

Material facts

Parties

Lawrence Musebeni Baguma

Applicant

The Commissioner Land Registration

Respondent

The Commissioner Mapping and Surveying

Respondent

Amounts and remedies

  • General Damages for Breach of Contract (as Per Underlying Decree): UGX 20,000,000
  • Interest Rate on Damages (per Annum): UGX 8

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Miscellaneous Application / Ruling

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Party arguments

Applicant
The applicant argued that pursuant to the High Court decree in Civil Appeals No. 40 & 41 of 2010, he is entitled to a Certificate of Title for the land comprised in Kyaggwe Block 92 Plot 166 at Namwezi. He asserted uninterrupted possession and control of the land since judgment and maintained that the respondents are obligated to effectuate the court's orders, including cancellation of subdivisions and issuance of title, so that the decree is not rendered nugatory.
Respondent
The respondents did not file any substantive opposition to the application. The court noted that the title for Plot 1389 Block 92 was verified and handed over to the Registrar for purposes of executing the decree, and no objections were raised regarding the applicant's entitlement under the previous judgment.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Order of Hon. Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi, High Court Civil Appeals No. 40 & 41 of 2010, dated 16th November, 2012.

    A decree of specific performance must be executed by the parties as ordered by the court, including transfer and surrender of title.

  2. 02

    General principles of execution under the Civil Procedure Act, Cap 71.

    Court orders must be implemented to avoid rendering judgments in vain and to uphold the authority of the court.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The court found that the applicant, as decree holder, is entitled to the execution of the orders made in Civil Appeals No. 40 & 41 of 2010, specifically the issuance of a Certificate of Title for Kyaggwe Block 92 Plot 166, less 0.25 acres previously transferred. The respondents, being the authorities responsible for land registration and mapping, are under a legal obligation to effectuate the decree and ensure the applicant receives title to the decretal land. The court emphasized that its prior judgment must be given effect and that the applicant's continued possession and enjoyment of the land supports the grant of the orders sought. No costs were awarded in this application.

Obiter and limits

  • The court noted that the title for Plot 1389 Block 92 was verified and handed over to the Registrar for execution purposes, ensuring transparency in the process.
  • No costs were awarded in this application, as the matter was primarily procedural and aimed at giving effect to an existing decree.

Court disposition

application_granted

  • The respondents are directed to take all necessary steps to ensure the orders of the High Court dated 16th November, 2012, are executed within thirty days of receiving this ruling, including issuance of a Certificate of Title for Kyaggwe Block 92 Plot 166 to the applicant, less 0.25 acres previously transferred.
  • No costs are awarded.

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 153

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

$\cdots$

IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA

LAND DIVISION

MISC. APPL. NO. 219 OF 2021

(Arising from H. C. Civil Appeal No. 40 & 41 of 2010, arising from Mukono Civil *Suit No. 557 & 576 of 2007)* 10

LAWRENCE MUSEBENI BAGUMA ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

VERSUS

1. THE COMMISSIONER LAND REGISTRATION

2. THE COMMISSIONER MAPPING

& SURVEYING ::::::::::::: RESPONDENTS

BEFORE: LADY JUSTICE ALEXANDRA NKONGE RUGADYA

RULING:

In this application, Mr. Lawrence Baguma sought consequential orders against Commissioner Land Registration & Commissioner Mapping and surveying.

The applicant filed this application seeking orders that:-

- 1. In consequence of a court decree and Orders in H. C. Civil Appeals No. 40 & 41 of 2010, the respondents do issue the applicant a Certificate of Title for the decretal land measuring approximately 1.5 acres comprised in Kyaggwe Block 92 Plot 166 at Namwezi, (hereinafter called "the suit land"). - 2. Costs of this application be provided for. 30

Outo O

$\mathsf{S}$

- The grounds of this application were contained in the attached affidavit of $\mathsf{S}$ LAWRENCE MUSEBENI BAGUMA, the applicant and generally summarized as - 1. The applicant was made the first defendant in Civil Suit No. 576 of 2007 in the Chief Magistrate' Court at Mukono, vide Namugala David Vs Mubiru Ssalongo David & Musebeni Baguma Lawrence. - 2. The applicant was also plaintiff in Civil Suit No. 557 of 2007 vide Lawrence Musebeni Baguma Vs Mubiru David Ssalongo. - 3. The Chief Magistrate's Court made a finding that the present applicant 15 (defendant) was a trespasser to the land in issue. - 4. The applicant aggrieved as defendant appealed to the High Court of Uganda Land Division at Kampala Vide H. C Civil Appeals No. 40 & 41 of 2010 (Lawrence Musebeni Baguma Vs Namugala David & - 5. The High Court presided over by Hon. Lady Justice Monica Mugenyi on $16<sup>th</sup>$ November, 2012 ruled that the appeal succeeded in part with various orders, inter alia granted an order for specific performance for Mubiru Ssalongo David as the $2^{nd}$ respondent to duly transfer to and surrender the land title for Block 92 Plot 166 to the appellant.

In consequence of the orders made by this court on 16<sup>th</sup> November, 2012, the applicant therefore sought that Plot 166 Block 92 be reinstated and the sub divisions made against it cancelled.

The applicant's claim was that before the judgment and from the time of judgment, the applicant had and has had uninterrupted possession enjoyment use and control of the land decreed by court. that it was therefore just and fair

$\mathsf{Z}$

Jula 8

<sup>5</sup> that the orders herein sought be granted so that the decree of this court is not made in vain.

In the decree issued on appeai dated 16e November, 2072, t,'e foll0wing were the orders:

- fhe 2"d respond,ent ls ln breach of the sale agreement d,ated. 6tn June, 2005 rn respect of rand, comprrsed rn Btock 92 ptot <sup>72</sup> sltuated at Namwezi, Mutttba llI, Kgagute County ln East Buganda ln Mukono Dlstrlct. 1 - 2. The 2n,t respondent to pag to the appellant general d.amagesoJ sfts. <sup>20</sup>mlllion for breach of contract wlth lnterest oJ g% per annum from date ofJud.gment till pagment tnfulia - 3. The 2nd respondent ls not endtled, to balance of ZOO,OOO/= outlng to hls breach of contrd.ct. - 20

- 4. The appellant granted an ord.er of spectfic perfonnance to the 2na respond.ent to dulg transfer to and surrender the tltle to Block <sup>92</sup> Plot 766 to the appeuant tess o.25 ccres sold and. translerred. to the 74 respond.ent. - 25 - 5' The appe'ant is a trespcss er to the suit ro.nd of o.25 acres dnd the 7.t respondent is entitled to aacant possesston.

6, Costs are autq.rd.ed. uith l/3 oJt costs to the appellant and. 2/A of the costs to the respondents both in High court and. in the louter court.

specifically notcd was the order of specific performance which required the 2"d respondent to transfer and surrender the title.,for Btock 92, plot 766 to the 1st respondent/applicant, less 0.25 acres sold and transferred to the lst respondent.

Thus under this application filed by the decree holder this court called for the title for Plot 1389 Block 92 for verification since the holder of the title had not been made party to the application MA No. 219/2021.

The verification was done through the office of the Registrar of this court and the title was handed over to the Registrar of this court on 6<sup>th</sup> January, 2023.

By this order therefore, the respondents in this application are directed to take the proper and necessary steps to ensure that the orders of this court dated 16<sup>th</sup> November, 2012, are duly executed within thirty days of the date of receiving this ruling.

15 No costs awarded.

$\overline{5}$

Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya

JUDGE

21<sup>st</sup> June, 2023

Delivered by examile<br>21/6/2023<br>Quiled gr

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Authorities

Authorities used by the court

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

High Court Civil Appeals No. 40 & 41 of 2010, Lawrence Musebeni Baguma v Namugala David & Mubiru Ssalongo David

Case cited

Civil Procedure Act, Cap 71

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

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