Uganda Case Law

Mukula v Law Development Centre

Mukula v Law Development Centre (Civil Appeal 41 of 2021) [2025] UGCA 65 (11 March 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 41 of 2021

Judge

Kiryabwire, JCC, Kibeedi Mutangula, JCC, Gashirabake, JCC

The Court of Appeal found that the Appellant's cause of action for judicial review accrued on 11th June 2019, when the Respondent's Examination Appeals Committee communicated the dismissal of his application for extension of time to appeal. This constituted a clear decision, triggering the three-month limitation period under Rule 5(1) of the Judicature (Judicial Review) Rules. Subsequent requests for verification or informal communications did not amount to fresh causes of action or continuing wrongs, nor did they restart the limitation period. The Appellant's reliance on public holidays and…

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• Judicial Review Limitation Period
• Cause Of Action Accrual
• Educational Examination Appeals
• Procedural Amendment Of Memorandum

Obol and Others v Gulu University and Another

Obol and Others v Gulu University and Another (Miscellaneous Cause No. 16 of 2021) [2023] UGHC 40 (17 March 2023)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause No. 16 of 2021

Judge

Okello, J

The court held that the three-month limitation period for filing judicial review applications under section 36(7) of the Judicature Act and Rule 5(1) of the Judicial Review Rules is mandatory and not merely directory. The applicants' challenge to the promotion and appointment of the second respondent was filed several years after the relevant decisions, far outside the statutory period. The court found that statutes of limitation are matters of substantive law, not technicalities, and must be strictly complied with. The applicants did not formally apply for extension of time or plead exceptio…

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• Judicial Review Limitation Period
• Time Bar
• Extension Of Time
• University Appointments

The Open Forum Initiative v Attorney General & Another

The Open Forum Initiative v Attorney General & Another (Miscellaneous Application 77 of 2022) [2023] UGHCCD 387 (31 January 2023)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 77 of 2022

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court dismissed TOFI’s application for leave to appeal, holding that no sufficient cause was shown to extend time for judicial review and that URA was not a necessary party.

• Leave To Appeal
• Judicial Review Limitation Period
• Extension Of Time
• Proper Parties In Judicial Review
• Leave-to-appeal
• Judicial-review

Okullu v Attorney General (Misc Cause No. 340 of 2018)

Okullu v Attorney General (Misc Cause No. 340 of 2018) [2022] UGHCCD 121 (15 August 2022)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Misc Cause No. 340 of 2018

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The court held that the grounds for judicial review arose when the police appeals court dismissed the applicant's appeal, not when the applicant received the dismissal letter. The applicant failed to file the application within the prescribed three-month period and did not seek leave of court to file out of time. The law on limitation is strict and inflexible, and the applicant's explanation for delay could only be considered if accompanied by an application for extension of time, which was not done. Consequently, the application was incompetent and barred by law for being filed out of time.

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• Judicial Review Limitation Period
• Time Barred Applications
• Leave To File Out Of Time
• Disciplinary Tribunal Review

Kadope v Uganda Revenue Authority

Kadope v Uganda Revenue Authority (MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 40 OF 2019) [2020] UGHCCD 70 (29 April 2020)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 40 OF 2019

Judge

Bashaija, J

The application for judicial review was filed outside the prescribed three-month limitation period under Rule 5(1) of the Judicature (Judicial Review) Rules, 2009, and no formal application for extension of time was made. The court held that limitation of actions is strict and inflexible, barring remedies regardless of the merits of the case. Arguments that continuous illegality or the absence of prescribed sanctions in the rule could override the limitation period were rejected. The court emphasized that it is incumbent upon the applicant to demonstrate good reason for extension through a fo…

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• Judicial Review Limitation Period
• Termination Of Employment
• Extension Of Time
• Continuous Illegality Exception

Alinange v Directory of Public Prosecutions

Alinange v Directory of Public Prosecutions (MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 167 OF 2017) [2017] UGHCCD 191 (10 July 2017)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 167 OF 2017

Judge

Musota, J

The application for judicial review was dismissed on two principal grounds. First, it was filed outside the three-month limitation period prescribed by the Judicature (Judicial Review) Rules 2009, and no extension of time was sought. The applicant's argument that the amended charge sheet constituted a new cause of action was rejected, as amendments do not alter the original date on which the cause of action arose. Second, the application was procedurally flawed because it was brought against the Director of Public Prosecutions in his own capacity, contrary to Article 120 of the Constitution a…

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• Judicial Review Limitation Period
• Capacity To Be Sued
• Prohibition And Injunction
• Criminal Prosecution Challenge

Nampogo Robert,Tumwesigye Moses v Attorney General (HCT-00-CV-MC-0120 OF 2008) (HCT-00-CV-MC-0120 OF 2008)

Nampogo Robert,Tumwesigye Moses v Attorney General (HCT-00-CV-MC-0120 OF 2008) (HCT-00-CV-MC-0120 OF 2008) [2009] UGHC 183 (6 July 2009)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

HCT-00-CV-MC-0120 OF 2008

The High Court overruled a limitation objection to a mandamus application seeking payment of awarded damages, holding there was good reason to extend time.

• Judicial Review Limitation Period
• Mandamus Enforcement
• Human Rights Award Execution
• Judicial-review
• Mandamus
• Limitation-period