Uganda Case Law

Pius Mugerwa Mugalaasi v Attorney General of Uganda and Uganda National Roads Authority

Pius Mugerwa Mugalaasi v Attorney General of Uganda and Uganda National Roads Authority (Civil Suit No. 466 of 2015) [2025] UGHC 281 (30 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit No. 466 of 2015

Judge

Asiimwe, J

The court found that the 2nd defendant compulsorily acquired 1.26 acres of the plaintiff's land for the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway project, and that the remainder, though initially gazetted, was not utilized and must be degazetted and returned. Compensation for land must include the value of rock as part of the land, not as a separate item. The plaintiff is entitled to compensation for the 1.26 acres acquired, disturbance allowance, and damages for the period of non-use due to gazettement. The court rejected speculative claims for consequential loss and business opportunity due to lack of evi…

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• Compulsory Acquisition
• Compensation For Land
• Valuation Of Land
• Constitutional Rights Property
• Disturbance Allowance
• Damages And Remedies

Adman Source & Contacts Limited v National Water & Sewerage Corporation

Adman Source & Contacts Limited v National Water & Sewerage Corporation (Civil Suit 278 of 2020) [2025] UGHCCD 31 (27 February 2025)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit 278 of 2020

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The court found that the plaintiff was in lawful possession of the land at Block 216 Plot 2597 under a subsisting agreement and had erected a billboard with the landlord’s permission. The defendant, acting under a mistaken belief regarding land ownership, removed the plaintiff’s billboard without prior and adequate compensation. The court held that such removal constituted unlawful compulsory acquisition in violation of Article 26(2) of the Constitution and amounted to trespass. However, the plaintiff failed to strictly prove the claimed special damages for the value of the billboard and lost…

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• Compulsory Acquisition
• Trespass To Land
• Compensation For Property
• Damages Assessment
• Possession Rights

Adong v Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited

Adong v Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (Civil Suit 93 of 2023) [2025] UGHCCD 25 (14 February 2025)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit 93 of 2023

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court held that UETCL violated the plaintiff’s property rights by transmitting power lines over her land without prior lawful acquisition or compensation.

• Compulsory Acquisition
• Right To Property
• Trespass To Land
• Compensation Procedures
• Statutory Mandate
• Damages

Bahimbiriza Bidindwale v Total Energies E P Uganda B V

Bahimbiriza Bidindwale v Total Energies E P Uganda B V (Civil Suit 36 of 2022) [2024] UGHC 1145 (13 December 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 36 of 2022

Judge

Byaruhanga Rugyema, J

The court found that the MOU between the parties and the defendant clearly stipulated that upon final determination of Civil Appeal No.52 of 2016, the compensation amount of Ugx 74,620,000/= would be paid to the successful party declared by court to be the owner of the land. The High Court judgment decreed the disputed land to the plaintiff, and no appeal was preferred by Ochaya Mugayo. The defendant's attempt to apportion the compensation based on acreage was rejected, as the MOU and the mapped land in dispute were clear and binding. The defendant's failure to file interpleader proceedings o…

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• Compulsory Acquisition
• Compensation For Land
• Memorandum Of Understanding
• Interest Awards
• General Damages
• Ownership Disputes

Kakembo & 2 Others v Ssekyanzi & 3 Others

Kakembo & 2 Others v Ssekyanzi & 3 Others (Miscellaneous Application 2608 of 2024) [2024] UGHCLD 285 (4 December 2024)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 2608 of 2024

Judge

Naluzze Aisha Batala, J

The High Court ordered UNRA to deposit compensation for disputed land in court while a related ownership suit remains pending.

• Compulsory Acquisition
• Escrow Orders
• Compensation Disputes
• Pending Suit Protection
• Compulsory-acquisition
• Escrow-orders

Kyewalabye v Uganda National Roads Authority

Kyewalabye v Uganda National Roads Authority (Civil Suit 78 of 2021) [2024] UGHC 1188 (21 October 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 78 of 2021

Judge

Oyuko Anthony Ojok, J

The High Court partly allowed a land compensation claim, finding 0.159 acres on Plot 412 unpaid, but rejecting fraud, trespass, and injunctive relief.

• Compulsory Acquisition
• Compensation For Land
• Trespass To Land
• Lawful And Bonafide Occupants
• General Damages
• Interest Award

Attorney General v Sempebwa & Others

Attorney General v Sempebwa & Others (Miscellaneous Application 26 of 2024) [2024] UGHC 929 (1 October 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 26 of 2024

Judge

Tweyanze, J

The High Court allowed the Government to deposit land compensation for the EACOP project, granted vacant possession, and issued eviction and demolition orders.

• Compulsory Acquisition
• Compensation For Land
• Public Use Requirement
• Estate Administration
• Right To Property
• Court Deposit Procedure

Nampembe( Administrator of the estate of late kiwanuka) v Uganda Electricty Transmission Company Limited

Nampembe( Administrator of the estate of late kiwanuka) v Uganda Electricty Transmission Company Limited (Civil Suit 97 of 2023) [2024] UGHC 1261 (30 September 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 97 of 2023

Judge

Kaahwa, J

The Plaintiff proved lawful ownership of the suit land through letters of administration and certificate of title. The Defendant unlawfully entered and installed electricity transmission infrastructure without consent, constituting trespass. The Defendant's plea of res judicata failed due to lack of supporting evidence and absence of a final determination in the previous suit, which was withdrawn by consent. The Plaintiff is entitled to compensation for deprivation of use, as compulsory acquisition of land for public purposes requires prompt and fair compensation under the Constitution. The P…

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• Trespass To Land
• Compulsory Acquisition
• Compensation For Land
• General Damages
• Interest On Awards

Nabagesera and 4 Others v Uganda Land Commission

Nabagesera and 4 Others v Uganda Land Commission (Miscellaneous Application 14 of 2020) [2024] UGHCLD 219 (12 September 2024)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 14 of 2020

Judge

Bernard Namanya, J

The court found that the applicants knowingly and voluntarily agreed to the terms of the consent judgment, which acknowledged that the Government of Uganda had compulsorily acquired the land in 1989 and fully compensated the estate of the late Keresipo Kitaka in 1991. The evidence, including letters from the Bank of Uganda and signed relinquishment of claims by the applicants, established that compensation was paid and received. The applicants' plea of illiteracy and misunderstanding was rejected, as the court was satisfied they understood the implications of their signatures. The consent jud…

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• Compulsory Acquisition
• Consent Judgment
• Compensation For Land
• Review Of Judgment

Katuram and 10 Others v Uganda National Roads Authority

Katuram and 10 Others v Uganda National Roads Authority (Miscellaneous Application 102 of 2023) [2024] UGHC 881 (12 July 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 102 of 2023

Judge

Byaruhanga Rugyema, J

The High Court set aside a dismissal for want of prosecution after finding sufficient cause based on counsel’s illness and failure to notify the applicants.

• Reinstatement Of Dismissed Suit
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance
• Negligence Of Counsel
• Trespass To Land
• Compulsory Acquisition
• Compensation For Land