Uganda Case Law

LABX Scientific Ltd v Katakwi District Local Government and Attorney General

LABX Scientific Ltd v Katakwi District Local Government and Attorney General (Miscellaneous Cause No. 02 of 2025) [2025] UGCommC 174 (19 June 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause No. 02 of 2025

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The High Court found a valid arbitration agreement in a government supply contract, but declined to appoint an arbitrator directly and referred the parties to arbitration.

• Arbitration Agreement
• Appointment Of Arbitrator
• Contractual Dispute Resolution
• Enforceability Of Contracts
• Jurisdiction Of Appointing Authority
• Payment Obligations

Kama v Mayanja aka Pallaso

Kama v Mayanja aka Pallaso (Civil Suit 725 of 2022) [2024] UGCommC 327 (6 September 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 725 of 2022

Judge

Kahigi Asiimwe, J

The High Court held that an artist management contract was void because the plaintiff’s business was not registered and lacked capacity to contract.

• Capacity To Contract
• Business Names Registration
• Enforceability Of Contracts
• Company Law
• Abuse Of Process
• Capacity-to-contract

Savani v Bhamani & Another

Savani v Bhamani & Another (Civil Application 1268 of 2023) [2024] UGCA 72 (26 March 2024)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Application 1268 of 2023

Judge

Mulyagonja, JA

The Court of Appeal granted a stay of execution pending appeal, finding arguable issues over an agreement’s validity, alleged duress, and misrepresentation.

• Stay Of Execution
• Triable Issues On Appeal
• Enforceability Of Contracts
• Misrepresentation And Duress
• Company Director Liability
• Stay-of-execution

Sseruwagi v Jamani & 2 Others

Sseruwagi v Jamani & 2 Others (Civil Suit 1024 of 2019) [2023] UGCommC 181 (30 March 2023)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 1024 of 2019

Judge

Mutesi, J

The High Court held that an alleged 2017 oral commission agreement worth USD 80,000 was unenforceable because it was required to be in writing under section 10(5) of the Contracts Act.

• Agency Relationships
• Oral Contracts
• Commission Entitlement
• Enforceability Of Contracts
• Statutory Requirements
• Contractual Consideration

Local Government Finance Commission v Craddle Communications Limited

Local Government Finance Commission v Craddle Communications Limited (Civil Appeal 59 of 2021) [2022] UGCommC 122 (28 February 2022)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 59 of 2021

Judge

Stephen Mubiru, J

The court found that the contract between the respondent and the appellant was procured in violation of mandatory public procurement laws, specifically the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, 2003. There was no evidence that any of the lawful procurement methods—open bidding, restricted bidding, competitive procedure without prior publication, or direct procurement—were followed. The contract was therefore illegal and void ab initio. The court held that the trial Magistrate erred in enforcing the contract and awarding the contract price, damages, and interest to the responde…

Source excerpt

• Public Procurement
• Illegality Of Contract
• Enforceability Of Contracts
• Unjust Enrichment

Roko Construction Ltd v Male (H.C.Miscellaneous Application No. 37 of 2021)

Roko Construction Ltd v Male (H.C.Miscellaneous Application No. 37 of 2021) [2021] UGCommC 65 (3 September 2021)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

H.C.Miscellaneous Application No. 37 of 2021

Judge

Gaswaga, J

The High Court denied Roko Construction Ltd leave to appear and defend, finding no bona fide triable issue and holding the suit was filed within time.

• Summary Procedure
• Leave To Appear And Defend
• Limitation Of Actions
• Enforceability Of Contracts
• Oral Vs Written Contracts
• Leave-to-appear-and-defend

HJK Trading Co. Limited v Zziwa

HJK Trading Co. Limited v Zziwa (Civil Suit No. 415 of 2018) [2021] UGHCLD 143 (6 August 2021)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 415 of 2018

Judge

Keitirima, J

The court found that the Plaintiff's suit was based on an oral agreement for USD 1,500,000, which exceeds the statutory threshold of twenty five currency points under Section 10(5) of the Contracts Act, 2010. The law requires such contracts to be in writing, and the Plaintiff's pleadings admitted the agreement was oral. The court held that the preliminary objection was properly raised, as a point of law may be raised at any time before judgment, regardless of whether it was pleaded. The court emphasized that illegality, once brought to its attention, must be addressed immediately and override…

Source excerpt

• Preliminary Objection
• Enforceability Of Contracts
• Oral Contracts
• Statutory Requirements For Contracts
• Sublease Agreements

Karangwa v Kulanju

Karangwa v Kulanju (Civil Appeal No. 3 of 2016) [2017] UGCommC 91 (24 August 2017)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 3 of 2016

The High Court allowed an appeal, holding that the alleged guarantee was unenforceable because it exceeded 25 currency points and was not in writing.

• Contract Of Guarantee
• Oral Contracts
• Cause Of Action
• Statutory Requirements
• Misrepresentation
• Enforceability Of Contracts

Nsubuga v Ssendege

Nsubuga v Ssendege (Civil Appeal 14 of 1991) [1992] UGHC 36 (14 January 1992)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 14 of 1991

Judge

Kireju, J

The High Court held that the appellant failed to prove agency, illegality, or duress, and upheld the loan agreement, but reduced interest to court rate.

• Loan Agreements
• Enforceability Of Contracts
• Illegality Of Contract
• Principal Agent Relationship
• Duress
• Interest Awards

Lobo v Alibhai

Lobo v Alibhai (Civil Appeal No. 38/1938) [1938] EACA 171 (1 January 1938)

Court

East African Court of Appeal

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 38/1938

Judge

Sheridan CJ

The court held that a borrower who receives the memorandum copy when signing a moneylending contract satisfies section 10(1), so the appeal succeeded.

• Moneylending Contracts
• Statutory Compliance
• Enforceability Of Contracts
• Moneylending-contracts
• Statutory-compliance
• Contract-enforceability