Uganda Case Law

Uganda v Kia Rafela (HCT-10-CR-SC-0289 OF 2024)

Uganda v Kia Rafela (HCT-10-CR-SC-0289 OF 2024) [2025] UGHC 148 (4 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

HCT-10-CR-SC-0289 OF 2024

Judge

Okello, J

The court found that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Kia Rafela unlawfully caused the death of Atim Franka by cutting her neck with a short-hand hoe. The accused's own admissions, corroborated by prosecution witnesses, established her participation. The court rejected the accused's claims of demon possession and the effect of witch doctor herbs as lacking evidentiary and legal basis under Ugandan law. The evidence showed the accused formed the necessary intention to kill, as demonstrated by her actions in taking the child to a secluded location and inflicting a fatal wound…

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• Murder
• Malice Aforethought
• Criminal Liability
• Defence Of Insanity
• Sentencing Guidelines
• Burden Of Proof

Uganda v Ahaisibwe Herbert

Uganda v Ahaisibwe Herbert (Criminal Session 172 of 2022) [2024] UGHC 1234 (25 July 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Session 172 of 2022

Judge

Emokor, J

The court found that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt all elements of aggravated robbery: theft of UgX 58,830,000 from Muhabura View Guest House, use of actual violence and grievous harm to the victim through administration of a sedative noxious substance, and that the assailants were armed with a deadly weapon as defined by law. The accused was placed at the scene through consistent eyewitness testimony, a properly conducted identification parade, and his own admissions in the charge and caution statement. The defence of alibi was discredited. The accused, a serving police offi…

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• Aggravated Robbery
• Identification Parade
• Common Intention
• Sentencing Guidelines
• Burden Of Proof
• Criminal Liability

Uganda v Thembo (HCT-00-ICD-CR-SC 11 of 2018)

Uganda v Thembo (HCT-00-ICD-CR-SC 11 of 2018) [2024] UGHCICD 8 (7 May 2024)

Court

HC: International Crimes Division (Uganda)

Case number

HCT-00-ICD-CR-SC 11 of 2018

Judge

Komuhangi, J

The Court found that the Prosecution disclosed sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that Thembo Kitsumbire, as Prime Minister of the Rwenzururu kingdom, aided and abetted the commission of treason and terrorism by convening and participating in meetings where plans to overthrow the government were discussed and by supporting the recruitment, arming, and deployment of Royal Guards who carried out attacks, murders, kidnappings, and destruction of property. The evidence showed that the Accused was aware of the treasonous intentions and activities of the king and other…

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• Treason
• Misprision Of Treason
• Terrorism
• Criminal Liability
• Evidential Burden
• Standard Of Proof

Uganda v Lijo & Another

Uganda v Lijo & Another (Criminal Appeal 10 of 2023) [2024] UGHC 243 (16 April 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal 10 of 2023

Judge

Matovu, J

The High Court dismissed Uganda’s criminal appeal, upholding the acquittal of two respondents on a charge of conspiracy to commit a felony.

• Conspiracy To Commit Felony
• Burden Of Proof
• Evaluation Of Evidence
• Acquittal
• Criminal Liability
• Theft

Ggibwa Kalibbala and other v Uganda

Ggibwa Kalibbala and other v Uganda (Criminal Appeal 297 of 2022) [2023] UGCA 224 (24 August 2023)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal 297 of 2022

Judge

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

The Court of Appeal found that the first appellate court failed in its duty to re-evaluate the evidence as required, particularly by not addressing the contradictions regarding the date of the offence and the appellants' claim of right. Upon its own re-evaluation, the Court determined that the evidence established the appellants acted under a genuine but mistaken belief that they had a legal claim of right to the property as beneficiaries of their late father's estate. This honest belief, supported by both prosecution and defence evidence, negated the mens rea required for the offence of mali…

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• Malicious Damage To Property
• Defence Of Claim Of Right
• Criminal Liability
• Burden Of Proof
• Alibi
• Beneficial Interest In Land

Uganda v Mansur (HCT-00-ICD-CR-SC 5 of 2022)

Uganda v Mansur (HCT-00-ICD-CR-SC 5 of 2022) [2023] UGHCICD 15 (17 April 2023)

Court

HC: International Crimes Division (Uganda)

Case number

HCT-00-ICD-CR-SC 5 of 2022

Judge

Komuhangi, J

The High Court ICD partially confirmed trafficking charges, finding sufficient evidence against some accused, dismissing others, and sending confirmed charges to trial.

• Trafficking In Persons
• Child Trafficking
• Criminal Liability
• Burden Of Proof
• International Criminal Law
• Victim Protection

Uganda v Kirabo and Another

Uganda v Kirabo and Another (Criminal Session 321 of 2019) [2023] UGHCCRD 14 (23 February 2023)

Court

HC: Criminal Division (Uganda)

Case number

Criminal Session 321 of 2019

Judge

Muwata, J

The court found that while the prosecution proved the elements of unlawful taking, use of deception, and intent to procure a ransom, there was no credible evidence that the accused, Kirabo Favour and Sseruwagi Musa, participated in the kidnapping or were aware of the criminal intent. The evidence showed that Eric Nkoyoyo, who had already pleaded guilty, brought the victim to the accused's home under false pretenses, and the accused acted in honest belief that the child was Nkoyoyo's daughter. There was no evidence linking the accused to the ransom demands or to any knowledge of the kidnapping…

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• Kidnapping
• Ransom
• Criminal Liability
• Burden Of Proof

Uganda v Nansubuga & 2 Others (Session Case 9 of 2023)

Uganda v Nansubuga & 2 Others (Session Case 9 of 2023) [2023] UGHCICD 6 (22 January 2023)

Court

HC: International Crimes Division (Uganda)

Case number

Session Case 9 of 2023

Judge

Okalany, J

Confirmation-of-charges ruling in an anti-terrorism case. The High Court declined to confirm all counts, finding the prosecution had not shown substantial grounds to believe the accused committed the offences.

• Anti Terrorism Offences
• Confirmation Of Charges
• Burden And Standard Of Proof
• Aiding And Abetting
• Evidentiary Standards
• Criminal Liability

Uganda v Namubiru & Anor

Uganda v Namubiru & Anor (Criminal Sessions Case No. 0461 of 2017) [2018] UGHCCRD 149 (28 June 2018)

Court

HC: Criminal Division (Uganda)

Case number

Criminal Sessions Case No. 0461 of 2017

Judge

Stephen Mubiru, J

The High Court of Uganda convicted Namusoke Annet Kirabo of kidnapping a three-and-a-half-year-old child for ransom, relying on circumstantial evidence and willful blindness.

• Kidnapping
• Ransom Demand
• Circumstantial Evidence
• Criminal Liability
• Sentencing Guidelines
• Conspiracy

Uganda v Ogwal & Anor (HCT-00-CR-SC-0721-2016)

Uganda v Ogwal & Anor (HCT-00-CR-SC-0721-2016) [2018] UGHCCRD 129 (11 June 2018)

Court

HC: Criminal Division (Uganda)

Case number

HCT-00-CR-SC-0721-2016

Judge

Kwesiga, J

The court found that while the prosecution proved the occurrence of theft and use of violence, it failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the participation of the accused persons in the robbery. The identification evidence provided by the single witness was insufficient and lacked corroboration. The prosecution did not produce critical exhibits, such as the alleged recovered gun or a search certificate, and failed to call the investigating officer to clarify the arrest and linkage of the accused to the crime. The inconsistencies and lack of independent evidence created reasonable doubt as to…

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• Aggravated Robbery
• Burden Of Proof
• Identification Evidence
• Criminal Liability