Uganda Case Law

Katsinde George and Another v Rubarekyera George and Others

Katsinde George and Another v Rubarekyera George and Others (Civil Application No. 184 of 2025) [2025] UGCA 246 (23 July 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Application No. 184 of 2025

Judge

John Mike Musisi, JJA/JCC

The court found that the applicants had complied with procedural requirements by first seeking a stay in the High Court. The appeal raised serious and arguable questions of law and fact, including fraud, principles of bonafide purchase, powers of the commissioner for land registration, and the quantum of damages. The applicants demonstrated that they would suffer irreparable harm if evicted, as the land is their home and sole source of livelihood, and the harm could not be adequately compensated by damages. The balance of convenience favored the applicants, who would suffer most if the applic…

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• Stay Of Execution
• Eviction Orders
• Fraud In Land Transactions
• Bonafide Purchaser Principle
• Cancellation Of Title
• Assessment Of General Damages

Dr. Michael Ntege and Another v Ismail Kabali and Others

Dr. Michael Ntege and Another v Ismail Kabali and Others (Civil Suit No. 808 of 2007) [2025] UGHCLD 135 (14 July 2025)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 808 of 2007

Judge

Kenyange Susan, J

The High Court held that the estate of Kalanzi had an equitable interest, the counterclaimants acquired none, and the plaintiffs’ title was not protected as bona fide without notice.

• Equitable Interest In Land
• Bona Fide Purchaser
• Registration Of Titles
• Land Occupation And Possession
• Fraud In Land Transactions
• Equitable-interest-in-land

Jobero Paul and Others v Kige Abdallah and Kakai Dinah Mukhobeh

Jobero Paul and Others v Kige Abdallah and Kakai Dinah Mukhobeh (Civil Appeal No. 112 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 489 (8 July 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 112 of 2024

Judge

Lubega, J

The High Court upheld the land ownership and trespass findings but reduced general and punitive damages after finding the original awards excessive.

• Land Ownership Disputes
• Trespass To Land
• Fraud In Land Transactions
• Damages Assessment
• Land-ownership-disputes
• Trespass-to-land

Nassimu Moses and Another v Mugambe Sam

Nassimu Moses and Another v Mugambe Sam (Civil Suit No. 68 of 2023) [2025] UGHC 476 (27 June 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit No. 68 of 2023

Judge

Bukirwa, J

The court found that a valid contract of sale of land existed between the plaintiffs and the defendant, evidenced by the written agreement and part payments made by the plaintiffs. The defendant breached the contract by selling the suit land to third parties despite having received substantial payment from the plaintiffs and failing to hand over possession or refund the money. The defendant's conduct amounted to fraud as he intentionally concealed third party claims and induced the plaintiffs into the contract, depriving them of their equitable interest in the land. The court relied on statut…

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• Breach Of Contract
• Fraud In Land Transactions
• Sale Of Land
• Equitable Title
• Remedies For Breach

Kiggwe v Kizito

Kiggwe v Kizito (Civil Suit No. 2727 of 2016) [2025] UGHCLD 107 (27 June 2025)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 2727 of 2016

Judge

Alividza, J

The court found that the late John Ssebana Kizito was unlawfully registered as proprietor of the entire 28.70 acres of land, having only purchased 5 acres from Eria Kigozi, who was bequeathed that portion from the estate of the late Yokana Mutogo. The evidence established that the suit land formed part of the estate and was distributed among beneficiaries, with only 5 acres legitimately sold. The transfer of the entire land to the Defendant's name was unlawful, though insufficient proof of fraud was found to impeach the title on that ground. The Defendant does not qualify as a bona fide purch…

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• Transfer Of Land Title
• Fraud In Land Transactions
• Estate Administration
• Bona Fide Purchaser
• Registration Of Titles

Agonzibwa Ndagano v Kampala District Land Board and Another

Agonzibwa Ndagano v Kampala District Land Board and Another (Civil Suit No. 728 of 2017) [2025] UGHCLD 118 (25 June 2025)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 728 of 2017

Judge

Busingye, J

The plaintiff, as a tenant of the former lessees, did not acquire proprietary rights or legitimate expectation to automatic allocation of the suit land upon expiry or non-renewal of the lease. The principle of legitimate expectation applies to lessees, not sub-tenants. The plaintiff failed to apply for allocation in accordance with the law and did not hold a valid power of attorney for the lessees. The 1st defendant lawfully allocated the land to the 2nd defendant after the lessees expressed disinterest and all procedural requirements under the Land Regulations were met, including due diligen…

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• Lease Allocation
• Sitting Tenant Rights
• Legitimate Expectation
• Eviction Procedure
• Fraud In Land Transactions

Rwashande Yosam and Others v Kayiwa Vicent

Rwashande Yosam and Others v Kayiwa Vicent (Civil Appeal No. 79 of 2021) [2025] UGCA 175 (12 June 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 79 of 2021

Judge

Asa Mugenyi, JA/ JCC, Musa Ssekaana, JA/JCC, Stella Alibateese, JA/JCC

The Court of Appeal upheld dismissal of a land dispute appeal, finding no fraud proved against the respondent’s title and confirming trespass, damages, and costs.

• Registration Of Titles
• Fraud In Land Transactions
• Trespass To Land
• Leasehold Title Disputes
• Burden Of Proof
• Damages For Trespass

Serugo v Uganda

Serugo v Uganda (Criminal Appeal 85 of 2024) [2025] UGHCCRD 20 (14 May 2025)

Court

HC: Criminal Division (Uganda)

Case number

Criminal Appeal 85 of 2024

Judge

Gadenya, J

The appellate court found that while the facts could give rise to both civil and criminal proceedings, the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the appellant induced Christine Zawedde to transfer her land by false pretences. The medical evidence regarding Zawedde's mental and physical incapacity was not properly introduced, as the medical personnel were not called to testify and be cross-examined. Key witnesses from the Land Registry and the advocate who witnessed the transaction were not called, leaving gaps in the chain of evidence. The Gift Deed relied upon by the appel…

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• Obtaining Registration By False Pretences
• Land Title Transfer
• Mental Capacity Of Donor
• Admissibility Of Medical Evidence
• Fraud In Land Transactions

Gidudu & Another v Gidudu

Gidudu & Another v Gidudu (Civil Appeal 115 of 2023) [2025] UGHC 252 (5 May 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 115 of 2023

Judge

Lubega, J

The appellate court found that the trial magistrate properly exercised her discretion in granting the temporary injunction, having considered all relevant factors: prima facie case, irreparable damage, balance of convenience, and maintenance of the status quo. The court held that a locus visit was unnecessary since the appellant admitted possession and purchase of the suit land, and there was no dispute over boundaries or ownership requiring such a visit. The preliminary objection regarding leave to appeal was overruled, as the law provided an automatic right of appeal in this context. The tr…

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• Temporary Injunction
• Status Quo Preservation
• Intermeddling With Estate
• Trespass To Land
• Fraud In Land Transactions

Sebukayire & Another v Lutwama & 2 Others

Sebukayire & Another v Lutwama & 2 Others (Miscellaneous Application 180 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 152 (2 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 180 of 2024

Judge

Karemani Jamson K, J

The High Court of Uganda at Kiboga dismissed an application to strike out a land suit, holding the plaint disclosed a cause of action and that temporary injunction consent did not create estoppel.

• Cause Of Action
• Striking Out Plaint
• Preliminary Objection
• Estoppel
• Fraud In Land Transactions
• Cause-of-action