Uganda Case Law

Mukula v Law Development Centre

Mukula v Law Development Centre (Civil Appeal 41 of 2021) [2025] UGCA 65 (11 March 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 41 of 2021

Judge

Kiryabwire, JCC, Kibeedi Mutangula, JCC, Gashirabake, JCC

The Court of Appeal found that the Appellant's cause of action for judicial review accrued on 11th June 2019, when the Respondent's Examination Appeals Committee communicated the dismissal of his application for extension of time to appeal. This constituted a clear decision, triggering the three-month limitation period under Rule 5(1) of the Judicature (Judicial Review) Rules. Subsequent requests for verification or informal communications did not amount to fresh causes of action or continuing wrongs, nor did they restart the limitation period. The Appellant's reliance on public holidays and…

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• Judicial Review Limitation Period
• Cause Of Action Accrual
• Educational Examination Appeals
• Procedural Amendment Of Memorandum

Mugabe and 10 Others v Ngaro (HCT-01-LD-CS 34 of 2023)

Mugabe and 10 Others v Ngaro (HCT-01-LD-CS 34 of 2023) [2024] UGHC 752 (16 August 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

HCT-01-LD-CS 34 of 2023

Judge

Wagona, J

The High Court held that the plaintiffs’ succession-related land claim was time-barred, finding the relevant cause of action arose long before the 2023 filing.

• Limitation Periods
• Succession Intestacy
• Intermeddling Estate
• Distribution Of Estate
• Cause Of Action Accrual
• Limitation-periods

Kabuye v Crown Beverages Limited

Kabuye v Crown Beverages Limited (Civil Appeal 10 of 2018) [2018] UGHCCD 217 (26 October 2018)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Appeal 10 of 2018

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court held that a workers’ compensation claim for permanent partial disability was time barred because the cause of action accrued on the accident date, not the later medical assessment.

• Workers Compensation
• Limitation Periods
• Personal Injury Claims
• Cause Of Action Accrual
• Workers-compensation
• Limitation-periods

Okello v Stanbic Bank (U) Ltd (Labour Dispute Claim 43 of 2015)

Okello v Stanbic Bank (U) Ltd (Labour Dispute Claim 43 of 2015) [2016] UGIC 12 (14 October 2016)

Court

Industrial Court of Uganda

Case number

Labour Dispute Claim 43 of 2015

The court found that the preliminary objection regarding limitation had already been raised and conclusively determined by the High Court at Lira in CS 0012/2013. The same legal point was argued and dismissed, with the High Court holding that the issue of when the cause of action accrued could not be determined without evidence and was therefore a triable issue. The Industrial Court held that the principle of res judicata applied, as the matter had been adjudicated by a competent court. The respondent's attempt to re-litigate the same preliminary objection was an abuse of court process. The c…

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• Res Judicata
• Limitation Periods
• Preliminary Objection
• Cause Of Action Accrual

Lubowa and others v Makerere University

Lubowa and others v Makerere University (Civil Appeal 2 of 2011) [2013] UGSC 24 (19 June 2013)

Court

Supreme Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 2 of 2011

Judge

Odoki, CJ, Katureebe, JSC, Tumwesigye, JSC, Kitumba, JSC, Kisaakye, JSC

The Supreme Court held that the appellants' cause of action did not accrue in 1983 when the initial salary scale circular was issued, but only when the respondent's University Council made a final decision in November 2001 to keep the appellants at M6, after years of studies, negotiations, and shifting positions. The Court found that until the final decision, all material facts necessary for the cause of action were not present, as the respondent itself had commissioned studies and made representations that the matter was under review. The Court rejected the argument that mere negotiations or…

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• Limitation Of Actions
• Employment Contracts
• Salary Disputes
• Waiver And Estoppel
• Cause Of Action Accrual

Lubowa & 4 Ors v Makerere University

Lubowa & 4 Ors v Makerere University [2013] UGSC 8 (19 June 2013)

Court

Supreme Court of Uganda

The Supreme Court held that the appellants' cause of action did not accrue in 1983 when the disputed salary scale was introduced, but rather in November 2001 when Makerere University's Council made a final decision to keep the appellants at M6, rejecting the recommendation to place them at M5. The Court found that until this final decision, the matter was subject to ongoing studies, reports, and representations by the respondent, and all material facts necessary for the appellants to sue were not present. The respondent's conduct, including assurances and requests for the appellants to wait f…

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• Limitation Of Actions
• Breach Of Employment Contract
• Salary Scales Disputes
• Waiver And Estoppel
• Cause Of Action Accrual

Lubowa and Others v Makerere University

Lubowa and Others v Makerere University (CIVIL APPEAL NO. 11 OF 2008) [2011] UGCA 17 (1 February 2011)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 11 OF 2008

Judge

Mpagi-Bahigeine, DCJ, Twinomujuni, JA, Kavuma, JA

The Court of Appeal held that the appellants’ salary claim was time barred. Ongoing complaints and salary-scale changes did not extend limitation.

• Limitation Periods
• Acknowledgement Of Liability
• Salary Scale Disputes
• Cause Of Action Accrual
• Limitation-periods
• Acknowledgement-of-liability

National Council of Sports v Sseruwagi

National Council of Sports v Sseruwagi (Miscellaneous Application No 305 of 2003) [2004] UGHC 17 (8 June 2004)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No 305 of 2003

The court held that the respondent's claim for compensation for injuries sustained in 1984 is barred by limitation. The pain and ongoing treatment are manifestations of the original injury, not fresh injuries giving rise to new causes of action. The Limitation Act requires that actions for personal injuries be brought within three years of the accrual of the cause of action, which occurs when the plaintiff suffers more than minimal damage. The respondent's argument that the injury is continuous was rejected, as there was no evidence of new unlawful acts or fresh injuries. The court applied th…

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• Limitation Periods
• Personal Injury Claims
• Cause Of Action Accrual

Mangeni v Departed Asians Property Custodian Board

Mangeni v Departed Asians Property Custodian Board (Civil Appeal 13 of 1995) [1998] UGSC 31 (22 January 1998)

Court

Supreme Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 13 of 1995

Judge

Tsekooko, JSC, Kanyeihamba, JSC, Mukasa-Kikonyogo, JSC

The Supreme Court of Uganda held that Mangeni’s suit against the Departed Asians Property Custodian Board was time barred under the applicable 12-month limitation period.

• Limitation Periods
• Actions Against Scheduled Corporations
• Disability Extension
• Mistake Exception
• Cause Of Action Accrual
• Limitation-periods