Uganda Case Law

Life Medical and Rescue International Ltd v Nu World Proprietary Limited

Life Medical and Rescue International Ltd v Nu World Proprietary Limited (Miscellaneous Application No. 723 of 2025) [2025] UGCommC 220 (10 July 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 723 of 2025

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The court held that the governing law clause in the parties' Memorandum of Agreement, which stipulates that the agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, does not amount to an exclusive jurisdiction clause. The clause only determines the substantive law applicable to the contract, not the forum for dispute resolution. In the absence of an unequivocal exclusive jurisdiction clause, the High Court of Uganda retains its unlimited original jurisdiction under Article 139(1) of the Constitution and Section 14 of the Judicature Act. The…

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• Jurisdiction Of High Court
• Governing Law Clauses
• Exclusive Jurisdiction Clauses
• Forum Non Conveniens
• Contractual Disputes
• Virtual Hearings

Serwamba v Deneva Company Limited (Labour Appeal 19 of 2019)

Serwamba v Deneva Company Limited (Labour Appeal 19 of 2019) [2023] UGIC 18 (6 June 2023)

Court

Industrial Court of Uganda

Case number

Labour Appeal 19 of 2019

Judges

Wabwire Musana, J, Namara, Panel Member, Nabirye, Matovu

The Industrial Court upheld a Labour Officer’s refusal of jurisdiction over a cross-border employment dispute, finding the work and dismissal were connected to Kenya.

• Jurisdiction Of Labour Officer
• Employment Outside Uganda
• Summary Dismissal
• Applicability Of Employment Act
• Forum Non Conveniens
• Labour-jurisdiction

Bank One Limited v Simbamanyo Estates Limited

Bank One Limited v Simbamanyo Estates Limited (Miscellaneous Application No. 645 of 2020) [2021] UGCommC 124 (27 September 2021)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 645 of 2020

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court set aside an interlocutory judgment after finding sufficient cause from Covid-19 disruption, and held the affidavit and jurisdictional challenge were arguable.

• Setting Aside Interlocutory Judgment
• Forum Non Conveniens
• Corporate Banking Disputes
• Jurisdictional Challenge
• Covid 19 Procedural Delay
• Setting-aside-interlocutory-judgment

Bankone Limited v Simbamanyo Estates Limited

Bankone Limited v Simbamanyo Estates Limited (Miscellaneous Application 645 of 2020) [2021] UGCommC 178 (27 September 2021)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 645 of 2020

Judge

Stephen Mubiru, J

The High Court set aside an interlocutory judgment after finding sufficient cause for delay, an arguable jurisdictional challenge, and that the judgment had been entered under the wrong rule.

• Setting Aside Interlocutory Judgment
• Forum Non Conveniens
• Affidavit Authority
• Delay And Sufficient Cause
• Jurisdictional Challenge
• Setting-aside-interlocutory-judgment

International Tin Association Limited v Kerilee Investments Limited

International Tin Association Limited v Kerilee Investments Limited (MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATION NO. 368 OF 2019) [2020] UGHCCD 71 (29 April 2020)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATION NO. 368 OF 2019

Judge

Bashaija, J

The High Court held that Uganda was not the proper forum for a defamation claim between two UK-incorporated companies and dismissed the suit for want of jurisdiction.

• Jurisdiction Of Court
• Forum Non Conveniens
• Exclusive Jurisdiction Clause
• Defamation
• Choice Of Law
• Jurisdiction

American Express International Banking Corporation Vs Atulkumar Sumant Bhai Patel

American Express International Banking Corporation Vs Atulkumar Sumant Bhai Patel (Civil Application No. 8 of 1986) [1986] UGCA 21 (7 November 1986)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Application No. 8 of 1986

The Court of Appeal of Uganda refused leave to adduce additional evidence, holding that the applicant had not shown due diligence or unavailability of the evidence.

• Additional Evidence On Appeal
• Diligence Requirement
• Forum Non Conveniens
• Enforcement Of Foreign Judgments
• Additional-evidence-on-appeal
• Due-diligence

Manji v Bechar (C.A. 27/1938.)

Manji v Bechar (C.A. 27/1938.) [1933] EACA 16 (1 January 1933)

Court

East African Court of Appeal

Case number

C.A. 27/1938.

Judge

Lane, Ag. J

The court held that the defendant's temporary presence in Nairobi at the time of service was sufficient to confer jurisdiction on the Nairobi Court, even though the cause of action arose in Jinja, Uganda, and the defendant's normal residence was outside the jurisdiction. The doctrine of territorial dominion, as articulated in English case law and Dicey's Conflict of Laws, was applied to interpret section 15 of the Civil Procedure Ordinance. The court found that the statutory language regarding residence should be construed to include temporary presence for the purpose of service. Furthermore,…

Source excerpt

• Jurisdiction Of Courts
• Cause Of Action Location
• Service Of Process
• Territorial Dominion
• Temporary Residence
• Forum Non Conveniens