Uganda Case Law

Katsinde George and Another v Rubarekyera George and Others

Katsinde George and Another v Rubarekyera George and Others (Civil Application No. 184 of 2025) [2025] UGCA 246 (23 July 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Application No. 184 of 2025

Judge

John Mike Musisi, JJA/JCC

The court found that the applicants had complied with procedural requirements by first seeking a stay in the High Court. The appeal raised serious and arguable questions of law and fact, including fraud, principles of bonafide purchase, powers of the commissioner for land registration, and the quantum of damages. The applicants demonstrated that they would suffer irreparable harm if evicted, as the land is their home and sole source of livelihood, and the harm could not be adequately compensated by damages. The balance of convenience favored the applicants, who would suffer most if the applic…

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• Stay Of Execution
• Eviction Orders
• Fraud In Land Transactions
• Bonafide Purchaser Principle
• Cancellation Of Title
• Assessment Of General Damages

Mugasa Grace Adyeeri v Commissioner Land Registration

Mugasa Grace Adyeeri v Commissioner Land Registration (Civil Appeal No. 710 of 2024) [2025] UGCA 240 (21 July 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 710 of 2024

Judge

Byaruhanga Jesse Rugyema, JA/JCC, Esta Nambayo, JA/JCC, Stella Alibateese, JA/JCC

The Court of Appeal found that the complaint before the Commissioner Land Registration was based on allegations of fraud against Mayombwe Muhamudu in the acquisition and transfer of the suit land. According to established legal principles, the Registrar of Titles does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate matters involving fraud; such matters must be determined by the High Court where evidence can be properly tested. The Registrar's cancellation of the Appellant's title, without providing adequate reasons and without a complaint specifically against her title, was procedurally improper and viol…

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• Cancellation Of Title
• Fraud In Land Registration
• Judicial Review
• Registrar Powers
• Natural Justice

Okitela Joseph v Opoli Patrick

Okitela Joseph v Opoli Patrick (Civil Appeal No.14O of 2013) [2025] UGCA 245 (21 July 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No.14O of 2013

Judge

Asa Mugenyi, JA/ JCC, Musa Ssekaana, JA/JCC, Stella Alibateese, JA/JCC

Second appeal struck out as incompetent because the grounds were vague and factual, contrary to the rules and limits on second appeals.

• Customary Land Ownership
• Locus Standi
• Cause Of Action
• Appellate Jurisdiction
• Evaluation Of Evidence
• Civil-appeals

Apollo Bright Bweyakye and Others v Professor Sam Tulya-Muhika

Apollo Bright Bweyakye and Others v Professor Sam Tulya-Muhika (Civil Application 239 of 2023) [2025] UGCA 234 (18 July 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Application 239 of 2023

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, JA/JCC

The Court of Appeal held that the respondent's affidavit in reply was competent, as the deponent was not in personal conduct of the case and was privy to relevant facts, and a valid practicing certificate was on record. The court found that the application disclosed serious questions of law and fact, particularly regarding the propriety of the Notice of Appeal and the extension of time, which merited consideration by the Supreme Court. The court emphasized that it was not the forum to reassess the merits of the underlying appeal but to determine whether the intended appeal was arguable and no…

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• Leave To Appeal
• Extension Of Time
• Notice Of Appeal
• Dilatory Conduct
• Affidavit Competence
• Land Dispute

Bagalana Moses v Besi Musubika

Bagalana Moses v Besi Musubika (Civil Appeal No. 275 of 2020) [2025] UGCA 236 (18 July 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 275 of 2020

Judge

Luswata, JA, Byaruhanga Jesse Rugyema, JA/JCC, Stella Alibateese, JA/JCC

On second appeal, the Court of Appeal upheld findings that the appellant was a trespasser on the kibanja, rejected a limitation defence, and dismissed the appeal.

• Trespass To Land
• Succession And Administration Of Estates
• Limitation Of Actions
• Burden Of Proof
• Pleadings And Procedure
• Trespass-to-land

Nabwiire Jane v Nanteza Irene

Nabwiire Jane v Nanteza Irene (Civil Appeal No. 133 of 2022) [2025] UGCA 237 (18 July 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 133 of 2022

Judge

Luswata, JA, Byaruhanga Jesse Rugyema, JA/JCC, Stella Alibateese, JA/JCC

The Court of Appeal dismissed a second appeal over disputed land possession, holding that an unadmitted kibanja sale agreement could not be relied on and that factual grounds were not open on second appeal.

• Admissibility Of Evidence
• Bonafide Occupancy
• Equitable Interest
• Estoppel
• Documentary Evidence
• Land Title Transfer

Ssembusi Matia v Kato Dungu Lennox Protese

Ssembusi Matia v Kato Dungu Lennox Protese (Miscellaneous Cause No. 10 of 2025) [2025] UGHC 572 (18 July 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause No. 10 of 2025

Judge

Deepa Verma, J

The Respondent failed to demonstrate any caveatable interest in the suit land and did not respond to statutory notices or court process. The Applicant's evidence, including proof of purchase, registration, and unencumbered title, remained unchallenged. The caveat was lodged without lawful or reasonable cause, and the Respondent's refusal to participate in proceedings further justified its removal. The Applicant suffered inconvenience and prejudice due to the caveat, warranting an award of general damages. The court exercised its discretion under the Registration of Titles Act and Civil Proced…

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• Caveats On Land
• Removal Of Caveat
• Registered Proprietor Rights
• Compensation For Unlawful Caveat

Jjingo Samuel Bagenzekukola v Norah Nakubulwa and John Kalungi Kalule

Jjingo Samuel Bagenzekukola v Norah Nakubulwa and John Kalungi Kalule (Civil Appeal No. 681 of 2023) [2025] UGCA 238 (18 July 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 681 of 2023

Judge

Luswata, JA, Byaruhanga Jesse Rugyema, JA/JCC, Stella Alibateese, JA/JCC

The Court of Appeal found that the appellant failed to prove lawful ownership of the suit land on the balance of probabilities. The gift deed relied upon by the appellant named a different individual as the donee, and the evidence presented did not credibly establish that the appellant was the intended recipient. The chain of custody for the gift deed was broken, and the stepmother who allegedly provided the document did not testify. The expert evidence was discounted due to reliance on unproven documents (a cheque and a WILL), and the presumption of authenticity under Section 90 of the Evide…

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• Ownership Disputes
• Gifts Inter Vivos
• Estate Administration
• Will Contestation

Ddamulira v Statewide Insurance Company Limited and Another

Ddamulira v Statewide Insurance Company Limited and Another (Miscellaneous Application 853 of 2025) [2025] UGHCLD 141 (17 July 2025)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 853 of 2025

Judge

Kaahwa, J

The court found that the applicant had satisfied all three conditions required for the grant of an interim stay of execution: a competent notice of appeal was lodged, a substantive application for stay was pending, and there was a real and imminent threat of execution evidenced by removal of caveats, transfer of the suit land, and a pending taxation application. The court exercised its discretion judiciously, noting that the execution process had commenced and that denying the interim stay would render the appeal nugatory and potentially cause irreparable loss to the applicant. Accordingly, t…

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• Stay Of Execution
• Interim Orders
• Appeal Process
• Caveat Removal
• Transfer Of Land
• Taxation Of Costs

Kigozi Nabagala v Bwanika and 2 Others

Kigozi Nabagala v Bwanika and 2 Others (Civil Suit 1003 of 2022) [2025] UGHCLD 143 (17 July 2025)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit 1003 of 2022

Judge

Kaahwa, J

The High Court Land Division declined to consolidate this land suit with a divorce cause, citing different divisions, jurisdiction, and the location of the disputed property.

• Consolidation Of Suits
• Jurisdiction
• Fraudulent Transfer Of Property
• Consolidation-of-suits
• Civil-procedure
• Land-jurisdiction