Uganda Case Law

Muchezero Co-operative Saving and Credit Society Ltd v Birikadde Abubaker and Another

Muchezero Co-operative Saving and Credit Society Ltd v Birikadde Abubaker and Another (Miscellaneous Application No. 1311 of 2025) [2025] UGHCLD 120 (2 July 2025)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 1311 of 2025

Judge

Nassuna Matovu, J

The High Court Land Division dismissed the application after all parties failed to attend the hearing and gave no explanation for their absence.

• Dismissal For Nonattendance
• Order 9 Rule 17
• Application Procedure
• Land Disputes
• Dismissal-for-nonattendance
• Order-9-rule-17

Imochu & Others v Kibuye & Another

Imochu & Others v Kibuye & Another (Miscellaneous Application 163 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 255 (5 May 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 163 of 2024

Judge

Lubega, J

The court found that the Applicants had demonstrated sufficient cause for their non-appearance, as they relied on the advice of their former lawyers who misled them into believing their presence in court was unnecessary. The court held that the negligence or mistake of counsel should not be visited upon the litigants, especially where the Applicants made efforts to follow up on their case and were not willfully negligent. The court applied the principle that sufficient cause should be liberally construed to advance substantial justice and that advocates have a duty to act in the best interest…

Source excerpt

• Dismissal For Nonattendance
• Reinstatement Of Suit
• Sufficient Cause
• Mistake Of Counsel

Senoga v Commissioner Land Registration

Senoga v Commissioner Land Registration (Miscellaneous Application 1247 of 2023) [2023] UGHCLD 432 (19 December 2023)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 1247 of 2023

Judge

Nkonge, J

The High Court ordered the Commissioner Land Registration to vacate caveats on Busiro Block 405 plots 2494–2501 after the underlying suit had been dismissed.

• Caveats On Land
• Removal Of Caveat
• Consequential Orders
• Dismissal For Nonattendance
• Removal-of-caveat
• Land-registration

Senoga v Commissioner Land Registration

Senoga v Commissioner Land Registration (Miscellaneous Application 1247 of 2023) [2023] UGHCLD 431 (19 December 2023)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 1247 of 2023

Judge

Nkonge, J

The High Court granted an unopposed application to remove caveats from Busiro Block 405 plots 2494–2501 after the underlying suit was dismissed.

• Caveats On Land
• Removal Of Caveat
• Consequential Orders
• Dismissal For Nonattendance
• Caveat-removal
• Land-registration

Ntambi and Another v Mulimira

Ntambi and Another v Mulimira (Miscellaneous Application 146 of 2023) [2023] UGHC 121 (20 September 2023)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 146 of 2023

Judge

Mwondha, J

The High Court at Mukono set aside a dismissal for nonattendance and reinstated the suit, finding the applicants’ late arrival was due to traffic and weather.

• Dismissal For Nonattendance
• Reinstatement Of Suit
• Justifiable Absence
• Interest Of Justice
• Dismissal-for-nonattendance
• Reinstatement-of-suit

Kabugho v Kyakabale

Kabugho v Kyakabale (Miscellaneous Application No. 54 of 2022) [2023] UGHC 8 (10 January 2023)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 54 of 2022

Judge

Wagona, J

The court found that the applicant was prevented from attending the hearing on 4th May 2021 due to illness, as substantiated by medical records, and that there was no evidence of negligence or inaction. The application for reinstatement was filed promptly after her discharge, indicating diligence and bona fide intent. The absence of opposition from the respondent and the interest of justice warranted setting aside the dismissal order. The court exercised its discretion judiciously, holding that sufficient cause had been established for reinstatement of the suit.

Source excerpt

• Reinstatement Of Suit
• Dismissal For Nonattendance
• Sufficient Cause
• Divorce Petition
• Custody Of Children

Bekabye & Others V Musoke Bulasio & Others (Misc. Application No. 453 of 2019)

Bekabye & Others V Musoke Bulasio & Others (Misc. Application No. 453 of 2019) [2019] UGHCLD 44 (9 July 2019)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Misc. Application No. 453 of 2019

Judge

Kawesa, J

The High Court reinstated a land suit dismissed for nonattendance, finding the Applicants acted promptly and should not be shut out from being heard.

• Reinstatement Of Suit
• Dismissal For Nonattendance
• Sufficient Cause
• Estate Land Recovery
• Reinstatement-of-suit
• Dismissal-for-nonattendance

Bekabye & 3 Ors Vs Musoke & 2 Ors (Misc. Application No. 453 of 2019)

Bekabye & 3 Ors Vs Musoke & 2 Ors (Misc. Application No. 453 of 2019) [2019] UGHCLD 34 (9 July 2019)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Misc. Application No. 453 of 2019

Judge

Kawesa, J

The High Court of Uganda set aside a dismissal for non-attendance and reinstated a land suit, finding the applicants acted promptly despite weak evidence of sufficient cause.

• Reinstatement Of Suit
• Dismissal For Nonattendance
• Sufficient Cause
• Estate Land Recovery
• Setting-aside-dismissal
• Reinstatement-of-suit

Aburek & 3 Ors v Kanabar

Aburek & 3 Ors v Kanabar [2017] UGHCLD 361 (6 November 2017)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Judge

Kawesa, J

The court found that neither the applicants nor their counsel provided sufficient evidence of illness to justify their non-attendance. Both failed to attend court and did not substantiate their claims beyond bare affidavits. The court held that the applicants and their counsel were guilty of dilatory conduct and did not approach the court with clean hands. As a result, there was no sufficient cause to set aside the dismissal or reinstate the suit. The application was therefore dismissed with costs.

Source excerpt

• Reinstatement Of Suit
• Dismissal For Nonattendance
• Sufficient Cause
• Client Advocate Relationship

Moses Kamya v Ibrahim Mpungu

Moses Kamya v Ibrahim Mpungu (civil suit No. 279 of 2011) [2012] UGHC 417 (24 May 2012)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

civil suit No. 279 of 2011

Judge

Mwondha, J

The court found that the applicant's affidavit was riddled with contradictions and falsehoods, undermining his credibility and failing to provide a reasonable justification for non-attendance. The applicant was aware of the hearing date and time but chose to attend before the Registrar, who lacked jurisdiction. The court emphasized that an application supported by falsehoods cannot be sustained and that the applicant did not approach the court with clean hands. Consequently, there was no basis for setting aside the dismissal, and the application lacked merit.

Source excerpt

• Reinstatement Of Application
• Dismissal For Nonattendance
• Affidavit Falsehoods
• Clean Hands Doctrine