Uganda Case Law

Planbuild Technical Services Limited v Attorney General

Planbuild Technical Services Limited v Attorney General (Civil Suit No. 1273 of 2023) [2025] UGCommC 136 (15 June 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit No. 1273 of 2023

Judge

Susan Odongo, J

The court found that the dispute over retention monies and the issuance of the completion certificate arises from a determination made by the project manager, as evidenced by the letter from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. This determination falls squarely within the scope of the arbitration clause set out in GCC Clauses 24 to 25 of the contract. The arbitration clause is valid, operative, and capable of being performed with respect to the present dispute. The court is mandated by Section 5 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act to refer such matters to a…

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• Arbitration Clause Scope
• Contractual Dispute Resolution
• Retention Money Claim
• Construction Contracts

Archstone Solutions Ltd v Mutukula Regional Market Ltd and Karamagi Karim

Archstone Solutions Ltd v Mutukula Regional Market Ltd and Karamagi Karim (Civil Suit 316 of 2024) [2025] UGCommC 113 (30 April 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 316 of 2024

Judge

Susan Odongo, J

The court determined that the Special Conditions Clause 25.4 of the contract, which provides for arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, prevails over the general dispute resolution clause. The inclusion of an arbitration clause indicates the parties' intention for disputes to be resolved by arbitration, and courts must respect this choice. As such, the court's jurisdiction is ousted, and the matter must be referred to arbitration. The suit is therefore stayed and referred to arbitration, with each party bearing its own costs.

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• Construction Contracts
• Arbitration Clauses
• Contractual Dispute Resolution

Damuco Investments Limited v Opportunity Bank (U) Limited

Damuco Investments Limited v Opportunity Bank (U) Limited (Civil Suit 589 of 2019) [2024] UGCommC 334 (12 November 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 589 of 2019

Judge

Harriet Grace Magala, J

The High Court held that the plaintiff contractor breached the amended ATV/ATM works contract by failing to complete on time, and upheld the bank’s counterclaim.

• Breach Of Contract
• Construction Contracts
• Penalty Clauses
• Special And General Damages
• Breach-of-contract
• Construction-contracts

Reynolds Construction Company (N) Limited v The Attorney General & 2 Others

Reynolds Construction Company (N) Limited v The Attorney General & 2 Others (Miscellaneous Cause 127 of 2023) [2024] UGCommC 275 (31 January 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 127 of 2023

Judge

Anna B. Mugenyi, J

The court dismissed an application for interim protection over a performance guarantee, holding the guarantee had been cancelled and the requested relief was overtaken by events.

• Arbitration Agreements
• Performance Guarantees
• Interim Measures
• Construction Contracts
• Contractual Breach
• Arbitration

Anhui Suan Holding Group Co. Limited v Risk Building Material Limited

Anhui Suan Holding Group Co. Limited v Risk Building Material Limited (Civil Suit 622 of 2021) [2023] UGCommC 182 (21 March 2023)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 622 of 2021

Judge

Mutesi, J

The High Court held that the defendant breached a construction contract by wrongfully terminating it and failing to pay for work done, and awarded damages, interest, and costs.

• Breach Of Contract
• Construction Contracts
• Remedies For Breach
• General Damages
• Interest Awards
• Breach-of-contract

Mugambe v Kayita and Another

Mugambe v Kayita and Another (Civil Suit No. 339 of 2020) [2022] UGHCCD 117 (8 August 2022)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 339 of 2020

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

High Court held the defendants breached a construction contract through delay and defective workmanship, awarded damages to the plaintiff, and dismissed the counterclaim.

• Construction Contracts
• Breach Of Contract
• Professional Negligence
• Misrepresentation
• Damages Assessment
• Corporate Liability

Roko Construction Limited v Aga Khan University and Another (Misc Cause No. 15 of 2022)

Roko Construction Limited v Aga Khan University and Another (Misc Cause No. 15 of 2022) [2022] UGCommC 99 (28 July 2022)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Misc Cause No. 15 of 2022

Judge

Wabwire, J

High Court ruling on interim protection in an arbitration dispute over an unconditional performance guarantee. The application was dismissed and the injunction set aside.

• Arbitration Interim Measures
• Performance Guarantees
• Construction Contracts
• Fraud Exception
• Injunctive Relief
• Arbitration-interim-measures

DFCU Bank Limited v Polat Yol Yapi San Vstie A.S and Another

DFCU Bank Limited v Polat Yol Yapi San Vstie A.S and Another (Miscellaneous Application No. 217 of 2022) [2022] UGCommC 23 (14 April 2022)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 217 of 2022

Judge

Rwakakooko, J

High Court interpleader over competing claims to advance payment guarantee sums; the Court vacated interim restraints and directed DFCU Bank to pay the beneficiary.

• Bank Guarantees
• Interpleader Proceedings
• Performance Guarantees
• Construction Contracts
• Injunctive Relief
• Interpleader-proceedings

Roko Construction Limited v Kobusingye

Roko Construction Limited v Kobusingye (Miscellaneous Cause 22 of 2021) [2022] UGCommC 104 (17 January 2022)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 22 of 2021

Judge

Stephen Mubiru, J

The High Court held that the grounds for setting aside an arbitral award under Ugandan law are strictly limited to procedural irregularities, evident partiality, violation of public policy, or errors of law apparent on the face of the award. The court found no evidence of actual or apparent bias by the arbitrator, as the site visit and observations were disclosed and both parties had the opportunity to address the evidence. The award was not contrary to public policy, as there was no illegality or result that shocked the conscience of the court. However, the court found that the arbitrator er…

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• Arbitral Award Challenge
• Public Policy Exception
• Contractual Damages
• Arbitrator Impartiality
• Construction Contracts

Stone Crushing Uganda Limited v Roko Construction Limited

Stone Crushing Uganda Limited v Roko Construction Limited (Civil Suit 665 of 2017) [2021] UGCommC 137 (8 April 2021)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 665 of 2017

Judge

Stephen Mubiru, J

The High Court held that the subcontractor achieved substantial and practical completion, waived delay enforcement, and was owed the outstanding balance plus general damages.

• Construction Contracts
• Breach Of Contract
• Damages Assessment
• Subcontractor Rights
• Liquidated Damages
• Mitigation Of Loss