Uganda Case Law

Ssemambo & Another v Byekwaso & 13 Others

Ssemambo & Another v Byekwaso & 13 Others (CIVIL SUIT NO. 168 OF 2018) [2019] UGHCCD 261 (17 July 2019)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

CIVIL SUIT NO. 168 OF 2018

Judge

Mugambe, J

The court found that the facts as pleaded did not establish malice or defamatory intent on the part of the Defendants. The actions taken by the Defendants, including the meeting and statements made regarding the Plaintiffs, were in the context of addressing a community health concern and were not motivated by ill will or an intention to defame. The court held that the Defendants acted truthfully and honestly in their capacity as community leaders and members of the LC1 committee, and their conduct did not amount to defamation. Consequently, the plaint did not disclose a cause of action agains…

Source excerpt

• Defamation
• Libel
• Malice
• Cause Of Action
• Fair Comment
• Justification

Ejidra v New Vision Printing and Publsihing Company Limited & Another

Ejidra v New Vision Printing and Publsihing Company Limited & Another (CIVIL SUIT NO. 217 OF 2013) [2019] UGHCCD 263 (17 May 2019)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

CIVIL SUIT NO. 217 OF 2013

Judge

Mugambe, J

The court found that the article in question was an accurate, unbiased, and fair report of a community dispute regarding land grabbing, an issue of significant public interest. The publication was not malicious or defamatory, as it merely reported accusations made at a public meeting and did not sensationalize or misrepresent the facts. The Defendants, as a national newspaper and its editor, had a duty to inform the public about such matters, and the public had a corresponding interest in receiving this information. The publication was therefore protected by qualified privilege. The court als…

Source excerpt

• Defamation
• Qualified Privilege
• Justification
• Fair Comment
• Damages
• Media Law

Malinga v Babirye

Malinga v Babirye (Civil Appeal Number 49 of 2010) [2014] UGCA 134 (1 February 2014)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal Number 49 of 2010

Judge

Buteera, JA, Kiryabwire, JA, Ekirikubinza, JA

The Court of Appeal held that a letter to estate-related third parties was defamatory and awarded the appellant general damages, finding justification and fair comment failed.

• Defamation
• Libel
• Fair Comment
• Justification
• Damages For Defamation
• Fair-comment

Ssejjoba Vs Rwabigonji

Ssejjoba Vs Rwabigonji (Civil Suit No. 1 of 1976) [1977] UGHCCD 1 (18 February 1977)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 1 of 1976

Judge

Allen, J

High Court defamation case over a letter accusing a schoolteacher of misconduct. The court rejected justification and qualified privilege and awarded damages to the plaintiff.

• Defamation
• Libel
• Qualified Privilege
• Justification
• Malice
• Damages

Besigye v Amama Mbabazi (Hct-05-cv-cs-0104-2002)

Besigye v Amama Mbabazi (Hct-05-cv-cs-0104-2002) [2010] UGHC 185 (2 July 2010)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Hct-05-cv-cs-0104-2002

The court found that the Defendant, as area Member of Parliament and Minister of Defence, was justified in addressing security concerns at the AGM, including referencing the Plaintiff's police inquiry regarding hosting Congolese nationals. The Plaintiff's own evidence and that of the Defendant's witnesses established that the Plaintiff was questioned by police, and the Defendant's comments were based on facts relevant to the prevailing security situation. The court held that the Defendant's statements were true, constituted fair comment on a matter of public interest, and were made on a privi…

Source excerpt

• Defamation
• Slander
• Qualified Privilege
• Justification
• Fair Comment
• Damages