Uganda Case Law

Airtel Uganda Limited v Garfield Spence a.k.a. Konshens & Mtech Limited

Airtel Uganda Limited v Garfield Spence a.k.a. Konshens & Mtech Limited (Civil Application 458 of 2024) [2025] UGCA 217 (13 June 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Application 458 of 2024

Judge

Kibeedi Mutangula, JA

The Court found that the application for stay of execution was properly before it, rejecting the respondents' preliminary objection based on res judicata. The applicant had first sought stay in the High Court, which granted only a partial stay with harsh conditions. The Court held that concurrent jurisdiction is not limited to outright refusals but extends to cases where the High Court's conditions are unconscionable or only partially successful. The applicant demonstrated vigilance by filing the notice and record of appeal, and the appeal raised triable issues regarding damages, interest, ex…

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• Stay Of Execution
• Copyright Infringement
• Assessment Of Damages
• Exemplary Damages
• Balance Of Convenience
• Right Of Appeal

Dubai Click Trading Co. Ltd v Damco Logistics Uganda Ltd and Others

Dubai Click Trading Co. Ltd v Damco Logistics Uganda Ltd and Others (Civil Suit 378 of 2016) [2025] UGCommC 75 (4 April 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 378 of 2016

Judge

Wabwire, J

The Defendant, DAMCO Logistics Uganda Ltd, wrongfully withheld the Plaintiff's sugar consignment despite having received full payment of all substantiated charges and being notified of the sale transaction. DAMCO failed to prove the existence of any valid debt beyond USD 14,084, which was paid, and could not substantiate its claim of USD 196,415 with invoices or documentation. The assertion of a lien was not supported by law or evidence, and the Defendant's conduct amounted to unlawful conversion and interference with the Plaintiff's goods. The Plaintiff strictly proved its claim for special…

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• Contractual Liability
• Lien On Goods
• Special Damages
• General Damages
• Exemplary Damages

Kebirungi v Mireku

Kebirungi v Mireku (Civil Suit 184 of 2022) [2025] UGHCCD 30 (18 February 2025)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit 184 of 2022

Judge

Nambayo, J

The High Court found WhatsApp messages posted in a class group were defamatory and awarded the plaintiff UGX 5,000,000 general damages and UGX 500,000 exemplary damages.

• Defamation
• Libel
• Damages Assessment
• Exemplary Damages
• Injunction
• Social Media Publication

Ntale and 7 Others V Attorney General

Ntale and 7 Others V Attorney General (Civil Suit No.033 of 2013) [2024] UGHCCD 30 (19 January 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No.033 of 2013

Judge

Elubu, J

The plaintiffs established all elements of the tort of malicious prosecution: they were prosecuted by the defendant's agents, the prosecution ended in their favour, there was no reasonable or probable cause for the charges, and the prosecution was instituted maliciously. The defendant failed to provide any evidence or submissions to rebut the plaintiffs' claims. The court found that the plaintiffs were arrested, detained, and prosecuted without basis, resulting in economic loss and inconvenience. However, the plaintiffs did not adduce sufficient medical or corroborative evidence to prove tort…

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• Malicious Prosecution
• Vicarious Liability
• General Damages
• Exemplary Damages
• Interest On Damages

Namutete v Ndiwalana (Misc Cause No. 10 of 2023)

Namutete v Ndiwalana (Misc Cause No. 10 of 2023) [2023] UGHCLD 43 (27 February 2023)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Misc Cause No. 10 of 2023

Judge

Nkonge, J

The High Court deferred a caveat-removal and contempt application, holding it should await submissions and the outcome of a pending appeal.

• Caveat Removal
• Contempt Of Court
• Registration Of Titles
• Exemplary Damages
• Caveat-removal
• Contempt-of-court

Lubega v Lubega and 5 Others

Lubega v Lubega and 5 Others (Civil Appeal No. 49 of 2019) [2023] UGCA 115 (15 February 2023)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 49 of 2019

Judge

Musota, JA, Bamugemereire, JA, Muzamiru, JA

The Court of Appeal found that the appellant was personally liable for the unlawful closure of the respondents' shop and conversion of their merchandise. The evidence established that the appellant, not as an agent of Tesco Industries Ltd, executed the acts complained of, and failed to rebut the respondents' claims with any credible evidence or pleadings. The court held that privity of contract and corporate personality did not shield the appellant from liability in tort, as both principal and agent can be jointly and severally liable for conversion. The award of general damages by the trial…

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• Conversion Of Goods
• Landlord Tenant Disputes
• Exemplary Damages
• General Damages
• Corporate Veil
• Privity Of Contract

Obongo v Attorney General

Obongo v Attorney General (Miscellaneous Cause No. 224 of 2021) [2022] UGHCCD 255 (12 December 2022)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause No. 224 of 2021

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The court found that the Respondent's agents and/or servants violated the victims' constitutional rights by arresting and detaining them incommunicado for ten days without informing them of the reasons for arrest, denying them access to lawyers and next of kin, and failing to bring them before a court within 48 hours. The court also found that the Respondent's agents unlawfully killed Remizio Okello and withheld his body from relatives, violating both his right to life and the relatives' right to a decent burial in accordance with their culture. The court rejected the respondent's res judicat…

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• Fundamental Rights Enforcement
• Unlawful Detention
• Torture And Inhuman Treatment
• Vicarious Liability
• Right To Decent Burial
• Exemplary Damages

Twinomugisha v Attorney General and 2 Others

Twinomugisha v Attorney General and 2 Others (Civil Suit No. 175 of 2017) [2022] UGHCCD 115 (19 July 2022)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 175 of 2017

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The court found that the Plaintiff's arrest and detention were unlawful as they violated constitutional safeguards: he was detained in unauthorized places, not informed of reasons for arrest, denied access to legal counsel and medical care, and not brought before a court within 48 hours. The prosecution for desertion was malicious, as the Plaintiff was on officially sanctioned study leave, with his supervisors' knowledge and approval, and there was no reasonable or probable cause for the charge. The 2nd and 3rd Defendants, as government agents, acted with improper motives and in reckless disr…

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• Malicious Prosecution
• Unlawful Arrest
• Vicarious Liability
• General Damages
• Exemplary Damages

Omoding Okwi and 3 Others v Attorney General (Complaint No: UHRC/SRT/006/2008)

Omoding Okwi and 3 Others v Attorney General (Complaint No: UHRC/SRT/006/2008) [2022] UGHRC 8 (24 January 2022)

Court

Uganda Human Rights Commission

Case number

Complaint No: UHRC/SRT/006/2008

Judge

Shifrah Lukwago - Commissioner

The Tribunal held that police shot and injured three complainants and killed a woman during a Christmas gathering, awarding compensation against the Attorney General.

• Right To Life
• Freedom From Torture
• State Liability
• Vicarious Liability
• Compensation For Human Rights Violations
• Exemplary Damages

Uganda Baati Limited v Mugabi

Uganda Baati Limited v Mugabi (Civil Suit No. 457 of 2019) [2021] UGHCCD 76 (30 June 2021)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 457 of 2019

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The court found that the defendant, while employed as Sales Manager, engaged in fraudulent misrepresentation and deceit by falsifying customer accounts, issuing unauthorized invoices, and diverting company funds for personal gain. The plaintiff provided detailed evidence of customer complaints and financial losses directly attributable to the defendant's actions. The defendant, despite being duly served, failed to file a defence or appear in court, leading the court to proceed ex-parte. Applying the legal principles governing fraud, deceit, and the standard of proof required in such cases, th…

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• Fraudulent Misrepresentation
• Tort Of Deceit
• Employee Fraud
• Special Damages
• Exemplary Damages