Uganda Case Law

Dr. Charles Ekure v Henry Mwanga and Bank of Baroda

Dr. Charles Ekure v Henry Mwanga and Bank of Baroda (Miscellaneous Application 328 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 510 (24 June 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 328 of 2024

Judge

Joanita Bushara, J

The court found that the applicant was not properly served with summons in the main suit, as the purported service was effected by a process server attached to the plaintiff's law firm rather than a court process server, and was not rebutted by the respondent. Investigations by the inspectorate of courts confirmed lack of due diligence in service. The absence of service deprived the applicant of the opportunity to defend, rendering the default judgment and subsequent garnishee orders a nullity. The applicant demonstrated a plausible defense, denying any contractual relationship and alleging f…

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• Garnishee Orders
• Default Judgment
• Service Of Process
• Setting Aside Judgment
• Bank Customer Rights

Exim Bank (Uganda) Ltd v Westwinds Trading C.O Matco Ltd (Misc. Application No. 251 of 2025)

Exim Bank (Uganda) Ltd v Westwinds Trading C.O Matco Ltd (Misc. Application No. 251 of 2025) [2025] UGCommC 182 (24 June 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Misc. Application No. 251 of 2025

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The High Court dismissed Exim Bank’s application for security for costs, finding no proof that Westwinds Trading could not meet any costs order.

• Security For Costs
• Banker Customer Relationship
• Locus Standi
• Frivolous And Vexatious Suits
• Garnishee Orders
• Security-for-costs

The Board of Governors/Directors Caltec Academy Makerere and Another v Luwedde Kasule

The Board of Governors/Directors Caltec Academy Makerere and Another v Luwedde Kasule (Miscellaneous Application No. 2190 of 2024) [2025] UGHCLD 99 (23 June 2025)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 2190 of 2024

Judge

Echookit, J

The High Court granted a stay of execution over land-related orders, finding a pending challenge, imminent garnishee execution, and risk of substantial loss, subject to UGX 60 million security.

• Stay Of Execution
• Ex Parte Judgment
• Garnishee Orders
• Security For Due Performance
• Trespass To Land
• Stay-of-execution

Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd v Itungo Simon and Others (Labour Dispute Miscellaneous Application No. 83 of 2025)

Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd v Itungo Simon and Others (Labour Dispute Miscellaneous Application No. 83 of 2025) [2025] UGIC 37 (21 May 2025)

Court

Industrial Court of Uganda

Case number

Labour Dispute Miscellaneous Application No. 83 of 2025

Judges

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

The Industrial Court granted interim relief to lift a garnishee order nisi pending determination of consolidated labour applications, citing urgency and fair hearing concerns.

• Garnishee Orders
• Interim Relief
• Right To Fair Hearing
• Jurisdiction Of Court
• Garnishee-orders
• Interim-relief

Tororo District Local Government v Mulowoza Kayondo

Tororo District Local Government v Mulowoza Kayondo (Miscellaneous Application No.41 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 428 (16 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No.41 of 2024

Judge

Kaweesa, J

The court found that the applicant's accounts, being public trustee accounts, contain funds held in trust for the public and are not liable to attachment for the satisfaction of a judgment debt. The absence of evidence distinguishing trust from non-trust funds means that all funds in the accounts must be treated as trust funds. The attempted attachment of these accounts by garnishee order is therefore illegal. The court held that the proper remedy is a declaration of illegality of the attachment, and declined to award costs, ordering each party to bear their own costs. The court also noted th…

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• Stay Of Execution
• Garnishee Orders
• Attachment Of Public Funds
• Objector Proceedings

Tororo District Local Government v Mulowoza Kayondo

Tororo District Local Government v Mulowoza Kayondo (Miscellaneous Application No. 41 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 295 (16 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 41 of 2024

Judge

Kawesa, J

The court found that the applicant's accounts are held in trust for the public and consist of statutory transfers payable out of the consolidated fund. There was no evidence to distinguish trust from non-trust funds within the accounts. Applying the principle that trust funds cannot be attached for the benefit of a judgment creditor, the court held that the attempted attachment of the applicant's accounts by garnishee order is illegal. The application for stay of execution was entertained solely on the ground of illegality, and the court granted a declaration that the attachment is unlawful.…

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• Garnishee Orders
• Attachment Of Funds
• Public Trustee Liability
• Stay Of Execution

UMEME Limited & Another v Makubuya T/A Polla Plast

UMEME Limited & Another v Makubuya T/A Polla Plast (Miscellaneous Applications 1, 11, 12, 13 of 2024 & Constitutional Reference 2 of 2024) [2025] UGSC 7 (24 January 2025)

Court

Supreme Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Applications 1, 11, 12, 13 of 2024 & Constitutional Reference 2 of 2024

Judge

Mike Chibita, JSC

The Supreme Court consolidated execution-related applications over a depreciated machinery award, upheld part of a garnishee order, and fixed the balance payable.

• Garnishee Orders
• Depreciation Of Assets
• Execution Of Judgments
• Special And General Damages
• Garnishee-orders
• Depreciation-of-assets

Precision Consulting Communications v ABC Capital Bank Limited

Precision Consulting Communications v ABC Capital Bank Limited (Miscellaneous Application 2059 of 2023) [2024] UGCA 129 (17 May 2024)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 2059 of 2023

Judge

Harriet Grace Magala, J

The High Court dismissed a contempt application arising from garnishee proceedings, finding the bank complied by remitting the funds available in the account.

• Garnishee Orders
• Contempt Of Court
• Banker Customer Relationship
• Enforcement Of Judgments
• Garnishee-orders
• Contempt-of-court

Tumwine v Wakulira

Tumwine v Wakulira (Civil Appeal 17 of 2023) [2024] UGHCFD 46 (18 April 2024)

Court

HC: Family Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Appeal 17 of 2023

Judge

Echookit, J

The High Court partly allowed a child-maintenance appeal, faulting the lower court’s assessment of salary, arrears, and medical needs, and remitted the matter for reconsideration.

• Child Maintenance
• Garnishee Orders
• Arrears Enforcement
• Consent Orders Review
• Child Welfare Principle
• Child-maintenance

Medipharm Sales Limited v Mirza

Medipharm Sales Limited v Mirza (Miscellaneous Application 780 of 2023) [2024] UGCommC 87 (13 March 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 780 of 2023

Judge

Mutesi, J

The application for review was found competent because the completion of execution does not preclude the court from addressing potential injustices or errors in the execution process. However, upon examination of the record, the court found no error apparent on the face of the record regarding the apportionment of costs. The law provides that, unless otherwise specified, parties against whom costs are awarded are jointly and severally liable, allowing the judgment creditor to recover the full amount from any one debtor. The alleged unfairness in execution against the applicant alone does not…

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• Review Of Execution
• Costs Apportionment
• Garnishee Orders
• Joint And Several Liability