Uganda Case Law

LABX Scientific Ltd v Katakwi District Local Government and Attorney General

LABX Scientific Ltd v Katakwi District Local Government and Attorney General (Miscellaneous Cause No. 02 of 2025) [2025] UGCommC 174 (19 June 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause No. 02 of 2025

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The High Court found a valid arbitration agreement in a government supply contract, but declined to appoint an arbitrator directly and referred the parties to arbitration.

• Arbitration Agreement
• Appointment Of Arbitrator
• Contractual Dispute Resolution
• Enforceability Of Contracts
• Jurisdiction Of Appointing Authority
• Payment Obligations

The Microfinance Support Centre Ltd v Kurbstone Investment (U) Limited

The Microfinance Support Centre Ltd v Kurbstone Investment (U) Limited (Civil Suit No. 0388 of 2024) [2025] UGCommC 122 (5 June 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit No. 0388 of 2024

Judge

Susan Odongo, J

The court found that the tenancy agreement contained clear and effective dispute resolution clauses, with one clause mandating that disputes not resolved amicably must be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Cap 4. The parties attempted amicable resolution but failed, triggering the obligation to arbitrate. The court distinguished the present case from Attorney General v. Networth Consults Ltd., holding that the arbitration agreement was not ambiguous or incapable of being performed. Pursuant to section 5(1) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act,…

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• Arbitration Agreement
• Jurisdiction Of Court
• Tenancy Disputes
• Alternative Dispute Resolution

Core Minerals Geologists Limited & 3 Others v Zhou

Core Minerals Geologists Limited & 3 Others v Zhou (Miscellaneous Application 1164 of 2024) [2024] UGCommC 340 (22 November 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 1164 of 2024

Judge

Mutesi, J

The court found that the respondent's affidavit in reply was incurably defective as it was not notarized by a person authorized under Ugandan law, specifically Section 84(c) of the Evidence Act, and thus struck it off the record. The dispute in the main suit arose from the performance of an agency contract containing a binding arbitration clause, making it subject to arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act. Consequently, the High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain, hear, or determine the suit. The application to dismiss Civil Suit No. 0915 of 2018 was allowed, and the suit…

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• Arbitration Agreement
• Jurisdiction Of High Court
• Competence Of Affidavit
• Agency Contract Disputes
• Striking Out Affidavit
• Dismissal For Want Of Jurisdiction

Security Group Uganda Limited v Finasi-Ishu Construction SPV-Limited

Security Group Uganda Limited v Finasi-Ishu Construction SPV-Limited (Civil Suit 829 of 2023) [2024] UGCommC 40 (22 March 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 829 of 2023

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The court found that the contract contained both an arbitration clause (clause 16) and a general jurisdiction clause (clause 14), but held that the arbitration clause was specific and mandatory regarding dispute resolution. The court determined that clause 16 was not hopelessly defective, inoperative, or incapable of being performed, and that the parties had not abandoned their right to arbitrate. The Arbitration and Conciliation Act restricts court intervention and mandates referral to arbitration where a valid agreement exists. The court emphasized the principle of party autonomy and public…

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• Arbitration Agreement
• Contractual Dispute Resolution
• Preliminary Objection
• Jurisdictional Challenge

Zhonghao Overseas Construction Engineering Co. Limited v Attorney General and Others

Zhonghao Overseas Construction Engineering Co. Limited v Attorney General and Others (Miscellaneous Application 1955 of 2023) [2023] UGCommC 125 (29 November 2023)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 1955 of 2023

Judge

Kahigi Asiimwe, J

The court found that while the contract contained a valid arbitration clause, the designated appointing authority (CADER) was unable to act due to the absence of a governing council. To give effect to the parties' intention to arbitrate, the court appointed the International Centre of Arbitration & Mediation in Kampala (ICAMEK) to assign an arbitrator. The application for interim protective orders was dismissed because the applicant failed to demonstrate irreparable injury that could not be compensated by damages, and the balance of convenience favored the respondents, as halting a public hea…

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• Arbitration Agreement
• Interim Measures
• Mandamus
• Government Contracts
• Injunctive Relief

GM Tumpeco Uganda Limited v Attorney General and Another (Misc Cause 17 of 2023)

GM Tumpeco Uganda Limited v Attorney General and Another (Misc Cause 17 of 2023) [2023] UGCommC 109 (20 October 2023)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Misc Cause 17 of 2023

Judge

Kahigi Asiimwe, J

The High Court dismissed an application for interim relief pending arbitration over motor vehicle number plates, finding no irreparable harm and that convenience favoured the respondents.

• Interim Measures
• Arbitration Agreement
• Contract Termination
• Public Interest Injunctions
• Arbitration
• Interim-injunctions

I & M Bank (Uganda) Ltd v Uganda Revenue Authority

I & M Bank (Uganda) Ltd v Uganda Revenue Authority (Miscellaneous Application No. 41 of 2022) [2023] UGCommC 15 (17 February 2023)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 41 of 2022

Judge

Abinyo, J

The High Court held that a prior arbitration was terminated by order, not by award, and referred the commercial dispute back to arbitration.

• Arbitration Agreement
• Dismissal Of Suit
• Referral To Arbitration
• Limitation Periods
• Termination Of Arbitral Proceedings
• Arbitration-agreement

Mbabazi v Equity Bank Uganda Limited

Mbabazi v Equity Bank Uganda Limited (Miscellaneous Application 1599 of 2021) [2023] UGCommC 237 (11 January 2023)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 1599 of 2021

Judge

Anna B. Mugenyi, J

The High Court referred the commercial dispute to arbitration under the parties’ Merchant Services Agreement and closed the file, leaving costs to the arbitral tribunal.

• Arbitration Agreement
• Referral To Arbitration
• Merchant Services Contract
• Arbitration-agreement
• Referral-to-arbitration
• Commercial-contracts

Ambitious Construction Company Limited v Uganda National Culture Center

Ambitious Construction Company Limited v Uganda National Culture Center (Miscellaneous Application No. 441 of 2020) [2022] UGCommC 83 (26 September 2022)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 441 of 2020

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The High Court referred a contractual dispute to arbitration, appointed Praxis Conflict Centre to assign an arbitrator, and closed the suit after finding the application proper.

• Arbitration Agreement
• Stay Of Proceedings
• Appointment Of Arbitrator
• Contractual Dispute Resolution
• Arbitration
• Stay-of-proceedings

Kazooba v MK Creditors Limited and 2 Others

Kazooba v MK Creditors Limited and 2 Others (Civil Suit No. 218 of 2016) [2022] UGCommC 61 (25 July 2022)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit No. 218 of 2016

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The court found that the arbitration agreement relied upon by the Defendants was void ab initio due to the illegality of the underlying money lending contract, which was executed without a valid money lender's licence and contained illegal interest provisions. Consequently, the arbitration clause could not be enforced, and the suit was properly before the court. The renewal and service of summons were lawfully effected within the prescribed period, and no prejudice was occasioned by the informal procedure adopted. The doctrine of lis pendens did not apply as the earlier suits involved differe…

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• Arbitration Agreement
• Money Lending Illegality
• Corporate Veil Lifting
• Fraud On Title
• Lis Pendens
• Service Of Summons