Uganda Case Law

Olama and 3 Others v St. Joseph Vocational Training School Ediofe (Labour Dispute Reference No. 05 of 2024)

Olama and 3 Others v St. Joseph Vocational Training School Ediofe (Labour Dispute Reference No. 05 of 2024) [2025] UGIC 41 (16 June 2025)

Court

Industrial Court of Uganda

Case number

Labour Dispute Reference No. 05 of 2024

Judges

Wabwire Musana, J, Namara, Panel Member, Bigirimana penal member, Lapenga

The court found that the claimants were employees of the respondent under valid contracts and were entitled to salary arrears for five months in 2019. The respondent failed to issue pay statements or pay the claimants, and the Labour Officer's assessment was accepted as authoritative under Section 49(5) of the Employment Act. The claimants' evidence was unchallenged and credible. The court awarded the specific amounts claimed as salary arrears, as well as general damages for deprivation of earnings, following the principle that such damages should not exceed or double the fixed income. Costs…

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• Unpaid Wages
• Employment Contracts
• General Damages
• Labour Officer Powers
• Nssf Contributions

Planbuild Technical Services Limited v Attorney General

Planbuild Technical Services Limited v Attorney General (Civil Suit No. 1273 of 2023) [2025] UGCommC 136 (15 June 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit No. 1273 of 2023

Judge

Susan Odongo, J

The court found that the dispute over retention monies and the issuance of the completion certificate arises from a determination made by the project manager, as evidenced by the letter from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. This determination falls squarely within the scope of the arbitration clause set out in GCC Clauses 24 to 25 of the contract. The arbitration clause is valid, operative, and capable of being performed with respect to the present dispute. The court is mandated by Section 5 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act to refer such matters to a…

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• Arbitration Clause Scope
• Contractual Dispute Resolution
• Retention Money Claim
• Construction Contracts

Erimu Company Limited and Others v Seroma Limited and Others

Erimu Company Limited and Others v Seroma Limited and Others (Miscellaneous Application No. 390 of 2025) [2025] UGCommC 173 (13 June 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 390 of 2025

Judge

Ocaya, J

The High Court found the respondents guilty of contempt for transferring land while an interim stay of execution was in force, and imposed a fine and security orders.

• Contempt Of Court
• Interim Stay Of Execution
• Transfer Of Property During Litigation
• Directors Liability
• Status Quo Preservation
• Contempt-of-court

Barongo John v Uganda

Barongo John v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 0196 of 2025) [2025] UGCA 187 (13 June 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal No. 0196 of 2025

Judge

Dr. F. Zeija, DCJ, Gashirabake, JA, K.K. Katunguka, JJA/JCC

The Court of Appeal upheld a murder sentence of 23 years and 11 months, finding no basis to interfere with the trial judge’s sentencing discretion.

• Sentencing Guidelines
• Appeal Against Sentence
• Mitigating And Aggravating Factors
• Murder Conviction
• Criminal-law
• Murder

Baliruno John v Canaansites Ltd

Baliruno John v Canaansites Ltd (Miscellaneous Application No. 897 of 2024) [2025] UGHCCD 67 (13 June 2025)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 897 of 2024

Judge

Simon Peter M. Kinobe, J

The High Court set aside an ex parte order in a civil suit, but only on conditions requiring the applicant to pay outstanding and additional witness-related costs.

• Ex Parte Orders
• Setting Aside Orders
• Court Discretion
• Costs Awards
• Ex-parte-orders
• Setting-aside-orders

Kyaligonza Richard Joseph v Uganda

Kyaligonza Richard Joseph v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 196 of 2022) [2025] UGCA 191 (13 June 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal No. 196 of 2022

Judge

Dr. F. Zeija, DCJ, Gashirabake, JA, K.K. Katunguka, JJA/JCC

The Court of Appeal found that the appellant voluntarily entered into the plea bargain agreement, with the sentence of 17 years and 4 months clearly indicated and explained to him. The trial court complied with the mandatory requirements under the Judicature (Plea Bargain) Rules, ensuring the appellant understood his rights and the consequences of the agreement. The appellant was legally represented and had the opportunity to object to the sentence but did not do so. The court held that the sentence was legal, formed part of the plea bargain agreement, and there was no miscarriage of justice.…

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• Plea Bargain Agreements
• Sentencing Principles
• Murder Conviction
• Fair Hearing Rights

Kato Benson v Kalema Mike

Kato Benson v Kalema Mike (Civil Suit No. 103 of 2020) [2025] UGHCCD 69 (13 June 2025)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 103 of 2020

Judge

Simon Peter M. Kinobe, J

The High Court found the defendant liable for a road accident causing the plaintiff serious injury and leg amputation, awarding proved special damages, general damages, interest, and costs.

• Personal Injury
• Negligence
• Motor Vehicle Accident
• Damages Assessment
• Burden Of Proof
• Personal-injury

Rusongwa Medard v Uganda

Rusongwa Medard v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 0282 of 2019) [2025] UGCA 188 (13 June 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal No. 0282 of 2019

Judge

Dr. F. Zeija, DCJ, Gashirabake, JA, K.K. Katunguka, JJA/JCC

The Court of Appeal found that the trial judge erred by failing to arithmetically deduct the period spent on remand from the sentence, contrary to Article 23(8) of the Constitution and the Supreme Court's decision in Rwabugande Moses vs Uganda. Additionally, the trial judge did not adequately consider mitigating factors, particularly the appellant's advanced age, as required by the Sentencing Guidelines. The appellate court, exercising its powers under Section 11 of the Judicature Act, set aside the ambiguous and illegal sentence and resentenced the appellant to 30 years' imprisonment, deduct…

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• Sentencing Principles
• Aggravated Defilement
• Remand Period Deduction
• Mitigating Factors
• Parity And Consistency
• Custodial Sentences

Esther Ssempebwa v Andrew Babigumira and Commissioner Land Registration

Esther Ssempebwa v Andrew Babigumira and Commissioner Land Registration (Miscellaneous Application No. 505 of 2025) [2025] UGHCLD 86 (13 June 2025)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 505 of 2025

Judge

Naluzze Aisha Batala, J

The court found that the application for review was filed within the statutory limitation period of 12 years as provided by section 3(3) of the Limitation Act, and thus was not barred by limitation or inordinate delay. However, the court held that the applicant's allegations centered on fraud and illegality in the issuance of the vesting order, which are contentious matters requiring thorough investigation and cannot be determined on affidavit evidence in a review application. The proper procedure for resolving such disputes is by filing an ordinary suit or joining existing suits concerning t…

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• Review Of Court Orders
• Vesting Orders
• Fraud Allegations
• Limitation Periods
• Caveats And Title Registration

Kamugisha Annette Magaiga (Administrator of the Estate of the Late Kamugisha Dennis) v Attorney General (Labour Dispute Claim No. 202 of 2014)

Kamugisha Annette Magaiga (Administrator of the Estate of the Late Kamugisha Dennis) v Attorney General (Labour Dispute Claim No. 202 of 2014) [2025] UGIC 43 (13 June 2025)

Court

Industrial Court of Uganda

Case number

Labour Dispute Claim No. 202 of 2014

Judge

Tumusiime-Mugisha, J, Wacha, Panel Member, Gidongo, Panel Member, Aciro Panel Member

The court found that the Respondent breached the contract of employment by failing to pay the Claimant's statutory benefits within the prescribed period after retirement, as required by the Security Organisations (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2000, and the Public Service Standing Orders. The 2000 Regulations applied to the Claimant's employment at the time of retirement, and subsequent amendments could not retrospectively deny accrued entitlements. The Claimant was entitled to outstanding gratuity, unpaid salary under the single spine salary structure, and leave allowance, as…

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• Terminal Benefits
• Public Service Employment
• Retirement Entitlements
• Breach Of Employment Contract
• Foreign Service Allowances
• Interest On Awards