Uganda Case Law

Uganda v Matsiko & Another

Uganda v Matsiko & Another (Criminal Session 17 of 2023) [2025] UGHCACD 13 (27 May 2025)

Court

HC: Anti corruption Division (Uganda)

Case number

Criminal Session 17 of 2023

Judge

Okuo-Kajuga, J

The court found that Matsiko Mutungwire and Nuwagira Tom, as employees of Ibanda District Local Government, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding exchanging part of the Ibanda Local Forest Reserve for alternative land without following the mandatory procedures under the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act and the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act. The accused failed to seek legal advice from the Attorney General, as required for transactions with significant financial and legal implications. The evidence established that the MOU created enforceable rights and inter…

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• Abuse Of Office
• Public Asset Disposal
• Local Government Liability
• Procurement Irregularities
• Failure To Seek Legal Advice

Musinguzi v Uganda

Musinguzi v Uganda (Criminal Appeal 60 of 2023) [2024] UGCA 279 (27 September 2024)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal 60 of 2023

Judge

Egonda-Ntende, JA, Cheborion-Barishaki, JA, Asa Mugenyi , JA/JCC

The Court of Appeal upheld Musinguzi Godfrey’s conviction for abuse of office over unlawful payroll entries and confirmed the three-year prison sentence.

• Abuse Of Office
• Public Service Employment
• Burden Of Proof
• Sentencing Principles
• Abuse-of-office
• Criminal-appeal

Ategeka and 15 Others v Kagadi District Local Government (Misc Cause 15 of 2022)

Ategeka and 15 Others v Kagadi District Local Government (Misc Cause 15 of 2022) [2024] UGHC 431 (26 April 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Misc Cause 15 of 2022

Judge

Byaruhanga Rugyema, J

The High Court dismissed a judicial review challenge by 16 applicants over termination from Kagadi District, finding they were never lawfully employed and could not benefit from their own illegality.

• Judicial Review
• Unlawful Termination
• Public Service Recruitment
• Natural Justice
• Abuse Of Office
• Judicial-review

Ategeka and 15 Others v Kagadi District Local Government

Ategeka and 15 Others v Kagadi District Local Government (Miscellaneous Cause 15 of 2022) [2024] UGHC 871 (26 April 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 15 of 2022

Judge

Byaruhanga Rugyema, J

The High Court dismissed a judicial review challenge by 16 teachers against Kagadi District Local Government, finding they were not lawfully appointed employees.

• Judicial Review
• Illegal Recruitment
• Termination Of Employment
• Abuse Of Office
• Natural Justice
• Public Service Appointments

Tayebwa v Uganda

Tayebwa v Uganda (Criminal Appeal 3 of 2023) [2023] UGHCACD 5 (15 June 2023)

Court

HC: Anti corruption Division (Uganda)

Case number

Criminal Appeal 3 of 2023

Judge

Gidudu, J

The High Court partly allowed the appeal, quashing the forgery conviction but upholding convictions for causing financial loss and abuse of office, together with sentence and compensation orders.

• Causing Financial Loss
• Abuse Of Office
• Forgery
• Compensation Orders
• Evidence Admissibility
• Causing-financial-loss

Uganda v Musinguzi and Another

Uganda v Musinguzi and Another (Criminal Session Case 2 of 2022) [2023] UGHCACD 3 (17 May 2023)

Court

HC: Anti corruption Division (Uganda)

Case number

Criminal Session Case 2 of 2022

Judge

Gidudu, J

The High Court convicted a district human resource officer for abuse of office over illegal payroll entries, but acquitted the district education officer.

• Abuse Of Office
• Public Service Employment
• Payroll Fraud
• District Service Commission
• Arbitrary Act
• Loss To Government

Mugerwa & Another v Uganda

Mugerwa & Another v Uganda (Criminal Miscellaneous Application 5 of 2022) [2023] UGSC 62 (16 May 2023)

Court

Supreme Court of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Miscellaneous Application 5 of 2022

Judge

Tuhaise, JSC

The Supreme Court, per Tuhaise JSC, held that while not all considerations for bail pending appeal were in the applicants' favour, the applicants had demonstrated sufficient exceptional and unusual circumstances to justify release on bail. The applicants were first offenders, had fixed places of abode, and had previously complied with bail conditions set by the High Court and Court of Appeal. Their offences, though serious and involving large sums, were non-violent, and the applicants were not ordered to compensate the lost funds, which were recovered from a third party. The applicants presen…

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• Bail Pending Appeal
• Abuse Of Office
• Causing Financial Loss
• False Claims By Officials
• Exceptional Circumstances
• Sureties

Kiwanuka v Uganda

Kiwanuka v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 302 of 2021) [2023] UGCA 399 (29 March 2023)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal No. 302 of 2021

Judge

Buteera, DCJ, Egonda-Ntende, JA, Monica K. Mugenyi, JA

On second appeal, the Court of Appeal quashed a conviction for abuse of office, holding that prejudice to the employer was not proved beyond reasonable doubt.

• Abuse Of Office
• Public Officer Liability
• Procurement Irregularities
• Burden Of Proof
• Elements Of Offence
• Abuse-of-office

Natanga and 3 Others v Uganda

Natanga and 3 Others v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 94 of 2018) [2023] UGCA 102 (17 March 2023)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal No. 94 of 2018

Judge

Musota, JA, Bamugemereire, JA, Musoke, JA

The Court of Appeal, by majority, found that the prosecution failed to prove the essential ingredients of abuse of office, forgery, and uttering false documents against the 1st and 2nd appellants. The procurement of coffee seedlings was conducted under community-based procurement as permitted by the NAADS Guidelines, and the evidence showed that supply was made and proper procedures followed at the sub-county level. The indictment against the 3rd appellant was defective for lack of sufficient particulars, rendering the conviction a nullity. The conviction of the 4th appellant for attempt was…

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• Abuse Of Office
• Forgery
• Uttering False Documents
• Public Procurement Irregularities
• Attempt And Preparation To Commit Offence
• Community Based Procurement

Masaba v Uganda

Masaba v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 294 of 2010) [2023] UGCA 51 (15 February 2023)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal No. 294 of 2010

Judge

Musota, JA, Bamugemereire, JA, Musoke, JA

The Court of Appeal held that the charge sheet upon which the appellant was tried and convicted was incurably defective because it was consented to by an officer in the office of the Inspector General of Government who was neither the Inspector General nor a Deputy Inspector General, contrary to the requirements of the Inspectorate of Government Act and the Constitution. The power to consent to prosecution for corruption-related offences is non-delegable and must be exercised personally by the IGG or a Deputy IGG. As a result, the entire trial was a nullity, and all convictions, sentences, an…

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• Abuse Of Office
• Embezzlement
• Causing Financial Loss
• Defective Charge Sheet
• Consent To Prosecution
• Double Jeopardy