Uganda Case Law

Sgt. Byamugisha Felix v Attorney General (Complaint UHRC 2 of 2008)

Sgt. Byamugisha Felix v Attorney General (Complaint UHRC 2 of 2008) [2025] UGHRC 7 (11 February 2025)

Court

Uganda Human Rights Commission

Case number

Complaint UHRC 2 of 2008

Judges

Mariam Wangadya - Chairperson, Stephen Basaliza - Commissioner, Omara Apitta Lamex - Commissioner, Crispin Kaheru - Commissioner

The tribunal found that the applicant's testimony, corroborated by his wife and medical evidence, established on a balance of probabilities that he was subjected to severe physical assault, humiliation, and degrading treatment by Regimental Policemen on the orders of Major Nelson Mugerwa. Internal UPDF reports admitted excessive force was used. The acts constituted torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment as defined by international and domestic law. The respondent, as the employer, was vicariously liable for the actions of its agents. The right to freedom from torture is absolute…

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• Freedom From Torture
• Vicarious Liability
• Compensation For Human Rights Violations
• Military Abuse Of Power

Mukiibi & 20 Others v Kiyimba & 3 Others

Mukiibi & 20 Others v Kiyimba & 3 Others (Miscellaneous Cause 179 of 2020) [2024] UGHCCD 200 (22 November 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 179 of 2020

Judge

Douglas Karekona Singiza, J

The court found that the 1st respondent (Hajji Abdul Kiyimba), acting as agent of the 3rd respondent (Kyengera Town Council), violated the 1st–20th applicants' rights to privacy and freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. The evidence, including admissible medical notes and video footage, established that applicants were unlawfully invaded, publicly humiliated, and physically mistreated at their residence without legal justification. The right to privacy was breached by unauthorized entry and exposure, and the right to freedom from torture was violated by physical and e…

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• Human Rights Enforcement
• Freedom From Torture
• Right To Privacy
• Non Discrimination
• Damages For Rights Violation
• Admissibility Of Evidence

The Uganda Journalists Association v The Attorney General & 9 Others

The Uganda Journalists Association v The Attorney General & 9 Others (Miscellaneous Cause 64 of 2021) [2024] UGHCCD 190 (13 November 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 64 of 2021

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The court found that the 2nd and 3rd applicants, both journalists, were assaulted by UPDF officers under the command of the 3rd respondent while covering a news event, resulting in serious physical and psychological injuries. The evidence, including photographs and medical reports, was credible and uncontroverted. The acts constituted torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, and violated the applicants' constitutional rights to dignity, freedom from torture, and freedom of the press and media. The 3rd–10th respondents were personally liable for the violations, and the Attorney General was vi…

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• Freedom Of Press
• Freedom From Torture
• Freedom Of Speech
• Vicarious Liability
• Personal Liability

Twine v Attorney General (Misc Cause 3 of 2024)

Twine v Attorney General (Misc Cause 3 of 2024) [2024] UGHC 478 (21 June 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Misc Cause 3 of 2024

Judge

Byaruhanga Rugyema, J

The court found that the Applicant was subjected to severe assault by a UPDF soldier, resulting in grievous injury and loss of his left eye. This conduct constituted cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, violating the Applicant's non-derogable constitutional rights under Articles 24 and 44(a). The Respondent, as employer, was vicariously liable for the actions of its agent, who acted within the scope of his duties. The Applicant provided sufficient evidence to discharge the burden of proof. The court awarded substantial general damages to compensate for physical and emotional harm, punitiv…

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• Human Rights Enforcement
• Freedom From Torture
• Vicarious Liability
• General Damages
• Punitive Damages

Centre for Human Rights(CHR), Institute for human Rights and Development in Africa(IHRDA) & Legal and Human rights Centre (LHRC) v United Republic of Tanzania (Application No. 019/2018)

Centre for Human Rights(CHR), Institute for human Rights and Development in Africa(IHRDA) & Legal and Human rights Centre (LHRC) v United Republic of Tanzania (Application No. 019/2018) [2024] AfCHPR 7 (31 May 2024)

Court

African Court on Human and Peoples Rights

Case number

Application No. 019/2018

Judge

Adjei J, Anukam J, Bensaoula J, Chizumila J, Eno R, Kioko J, Mengue J, Ntsebeza J, Sacko VP, Tchikaya J

The African Court reopened pleadings, gave Tanzania 45 days to respond, postponed the scheduled hearing, and reserved costs in a case concerning persons with albinism.

• Right To Life
• Freedom From Torture
• Prohibition Of Human Trafficking
• Discrimination Against Persons With Albinism
• Access To Justice
• Vulnerable Groups

Okello Francis Ongom v Attorney General (Complaint UHRC 109 of 2009)

Okello Francis Ongom v Attorney General (Complaint UHRC 109 of 2009) [2023] UGHRC 2 (7 December 2023)

Court

Uganda Human Rights Commission

Case number

Complaint UHRC 109 of 2009

Judges

Mariam Wangadya - Chairperson, Stephen Basaliza - Commissioner, Omara Apitta Lamex - Commissioner, Shifrah Lukwago - Commissioner

The tribunal found that the complainant was subjected to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment by UPDF soldiers on the orders of Lt. Otim Bosco. Although partial compensation was paid, the respondent failed to pay the agreed balance. The tribunal considered the complainant's prior injury from a gunshot wound, which was not caused by the beating in question. Nonetheless, the tribunal held that the beating constituted a violation of the complainant's right to freedom from torture and ordered general damages as compensation.

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• Freedom From Torture
• Cruel Inhuman Degrading Treatment
• Compensation For Rights Violation

Muhereza and Another v Attorney General and 8 Others

Muhereza and Another v Attorney General and 8 Others (Civil Suit No. 301 of 2016) [2022] UGHCCD 220 (31 October 2022)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 301 of 2016

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The court found that the plaintiffs failed to discharge the burden of proof required to establish that they were victims of torture or that their rights to property and livelihood were violated by the defendant. The plaintiffs relied primarily on newspaper articles and their own uncorroborated testimony, without presenting medical reports, credible witnesses, or documentary evidence of ownership or loss of property. The court held that the prosecution of some police officers by a Police Tribunal did not amount to an admission of liability for the plaintiffs' specific claims. The contradiction…

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• Freedom From Torture
• Right To Property
• Police Brutality
• Burden Of Proof

Hakyiri Peter v Attorney General (Complaint UHRC 51 of 2014)

Hakyiri Peter v Attorney General (Complaint UHRC 51 of 2014) [2022] UGHRC 5 (14 March 2022)

Court

Uganda Human Rights Commission

Case number

Complaint UHRC 51 of 2014

Judge

Shifrah Lukwago - Commissioner

The Tribunal found that police officers tortured the complainant and awarded UGX 7,000,000 in general damages against the Attorney General.

• Freedom From Torture
• Vicarious Liability
• Police Misconduct
• Damages For Rights Violation
• Freedom-from-torture
• Police-misconduct

Siraji Eitu v Captain Taban Ali (Complaint UHRC 118 of 2003)

Siraji Eitu v Captain Taban Ali (Complaint UHRC 118 of 2003) [2022] UGHRC 3 (21 February 2022)

Court

Uganda Human Rights Commission

Case number

Complaint UHRC 118 of 2003

Judge

Shifrah Lukwago - Commissioner

The Tribunal found that Captain Taban Ali unlawfully assaulted Siraji Eitu and violated his right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

• Freedom From Torture
• Cruel Inhuman Degrading Treatment
• Compensation For Human Rights Violation
• Burden Of Proof
• Non Derogable Rights
• Freedom-from-torture

Omoding Joseph v Attorney General (Complaint No: UHRC/ SRT/61/2009)

Omoding Joseph v Attorney General (Complaint No: UHRC/ SRT/61/2009) [2022] UGHRC 10 (25 January 2022)

Court

Uganda Human Rights Commission

Case number

Complaint No: UHRC/ SRT/61/2009

Judge

Shifrah Lukwago - Commissioner

The Tribunal found that police officers subjected Omoding John Joseph to inhuman treatment and held the Attorney General vicariously liable, awarding UGX 2,500,000.

• Freedom From Torture
• Inhuman Treatment
• Vicarious Liability
• Compensation For Rights Violation
• Inhuman-treatment
• Human-rights-compliance