Uganda Case Law

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

Shurik Limited v Uganda Revenue Authority

Shurik Limited v Uganda Revenue Authority (Tax Application 184 of 2023) [2025] UGTAT 2 (28 February 2025)

Court

Tax Appeals Tribunal (Uganda)

Case number

Tax Application 184 of 2023

Judges

Crystal Kabajwara -Chairperson, Najjemba, Panel Member, Safi

The Tribunal upheld URA’s reclassification of cough drops and a skin cream, finding the products were not medicaments for customs purposes.

• Customs Classification
• Import Duties
• Harmonized System Code
• Legitimate Expectation
• Estoppel
• Pharmaceutical Products

Japan International Cooperation Agency v Development Measures International Limited

Japan International Cooperation Agency v Development Measures International Limited (Miscellaneous Application 494 of 2022) [2024] UGHCCD 151 (12 September 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 494 of 2022

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court held that JICA enjoyed diplomatic immunity in Uganda, found the suit speculative and frivolous, struck out the plaint, and dismissed the case with costs.

• Diplomatic Immunity
• Striking Out Plaint
• Abuse Of Process
• Legitimate Expectation
• Diplomatic-immunity
• Striking-out-plaint

Kiyiwa and 13 Others v Makerere University (Labour Dispute Reference 121 of 2015)

Kiyiwa and 13 Others v Makerere University (Labour Dispute Reference 121 of 2015) [2024] UGIC 61 (23 August 2024)

Court

Industrial Court of Uganda

Case number

Labour Dispute Reference 121 of 2015

Judge

Tumusiime-Mugisha, J, Mugambwa, Panel Member, Mubuuke, Panel Member, Ebyau, Panel Member

The Industrial Court held that Makerere University unlawfully redesigned kitchen staff to cleaners, amounting to constructive dismissal and breach of contract.

• Constructive Dismissal
• Unilateral Variation Of Contract
• Legitimate Expectation
• Severance Pay
• Repatriation Allowance
• Notice Pay

Nanding & 6 Others v Attorney General

Nanding & 6 Others v Attorney General (Miscellaneous Cause 22 of 2024) [2024] UGHCCD 127 (16 August 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 22 of 2024

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The court found that the applicants' salaries had been enhanced in 2010 pursuant to a Presidential Directive, and this enhancement was implemented and maintained for over a decade, creating a legitimate expectation. The Ministry of Public Service's unilateral reduction of the applicants' salaries in 2022, without a hearing or lawful justification, was illegal, irrational, and in breach of Articles 28, 42, and 158(1) of the Constitution. The Ministry could not lawfully reverse a Presidential Directive or vary the applicants' contractual terms without due process. The court held that the applic…

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• Judicial Review
• Legitimate Expectation
• Public Service Salaries
• Presidential Directives
• Natural Justice
• Employment Contracts

Nived Enterprises Limited v Uganda Revenue Authority

Nived Enterprises Limited v Uganda Revenue Authority (Miscellaneous Application 301 of 2023) [2024] UGHCCD 82 (17 May 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 301 of 2023

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court refused an interlocutory mandatory injunction sought to restore a withholding tax exemption, finding the exemption had already been revoked before filing.

• Interlocutory Injunctions
• Withholding Tax Exemption
• Judicial Review
• Legitimate Expectation
• Status Quo Preservation
• Public Body Discretion

TSMP (U) Limited v Commissioner Land Registration & 2 Others

TSMP (U) Limited v Commissioner Land Registration & 2 Others (Civil Suit 14 of 2016) [2024] UGHC 318 (14 May 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 14 of 2016

Judge

Bukirwa, J

The court found that Jinja Garage Ltd lawfully repossessed the suit property by ministerial letter, which sufficed as a certificate of repossession. The Plaintiff's purchase of the property was valid and enforceable, being voidable only at the Minister's instance, which was never exercised. The lease expired in 2004, reverting the land to the Jinja District Land Board, but the Plaintiff remained in possession as a tenant at will, acquiring an equitable interest and legitimate expectation for renewal. The Defendants did not trespass, as the Plaintiff failed to prove unlawful entry. However, th…

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• Expropriated Properties Act
• Lease Expiry And Renewal
• Fraudulent Land Registration
• Equitable Interest In Land
• Legitimate Expectation
• Remedies And Damages

Byarugaba v Attorney General & 2 Others

Byarugaba v Attorney General & 2 Others (Miscellaneous Cause 173 of 2023) [2024] UGHCCD 52 (19 April 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 173 of 2023

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

Judicial review application over NSSF managing director appointments was dismissed. The court held the Minister had discretion under the Act and the Board’s recommendation was not binding.

• Judicial Review
• Appointment Of Public Officers
• Ministerial Discretion
• Legitimate Expectation
• Procedural Fairness
• Natural Justice

Jockus Bwambale v Bishop Stuart University

Jockus Bwambale v Bishop Stuart University (Miscellaneous Cause 27 of 2023) [2023] UGHC 198 (20 December 2023)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 27 of 2023

Judge

Allan Nshimye, J

The High Court dismissed a judicial review application against Bishop Stuart University as time-barred, holding it was filed outside the three-month limit.

• Judicial Review Timeliness
• University Decision Making
• Legitimate Expectation
• Procedural Impropriety
• Judicial-review
• Time-bar

Bwambale v Bishop Stuart University (HCT-05-CV-MC 27 of 2023)

Bwambale v Bishop Stuart University (HCT-05-CV-MC 27 of 2023) [2023] UGHC 201 (20 December 2023)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

HCT-05-CV-MC 27 of 2023

Judge

Allan Nshimye, J

The High Court dismissed a judicial review application against Bishop Stuart University, holding it was filed outside the three-month limit and therefore time-barred.

• Judicial Review Timeliness
• University Graduation Decisions
• Legitimate Expectation
• Procedural Impropriety
• Judicial-review
• Time-bar