Uganda Case Law

Nakato Rijcken Mubanda v Kajjansi Town Council and Wakiso District Local Government

Nakato Rijcken Mubanda v Kajjansi Town Council and Wakiso District Local Government (Civil Suits No. 628 of 2019) [2025] UGHC 332 (16 May 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suits No. 628 of 2019

Judge

Busingye, J

The court found that the plaintiff, while the registered proprietor, had herself widened the original footpath to a motorable road and opened it to public use, thereby dedicating it as a public right of way. The evidence showed the road had served the community for 17 years, and the plaintiff never took steps to prohibit public use. The defendants' entry was for statutory maintenance of an existing public road, not unlawful expansion or trespass. The destroyed crops, trees, and fence were within the road reserve, which by law is not compensable. The plaintiff's proprietary rights over the dis…

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• Trespass To Land
• Public Right Of Way
• Road Reserve
• Compensation For Land
• Easement
• Local Government Powers

Alele & 2 Others v Lira District Local Government Council & Another

Alele & 2 Others v Lira District Local Government Council & Another (Miscellaneous Cause 16 of 2018) [2023] UGHC 341 (21 February 2023)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 16 of 2018

Judge

Ajiji, J

The court found that, by operation of section 67C of the Police Act (as amended) and section 179 of the Local Government Act, all properties that belonged to and were used by the Local Administration Police, including the suit land at Erute and related premises, were legally transferred to the Uganda Police Force upon integration. The respondents' actions to sell or alienate the land without consulting the Uganda Police Force or the public constituted an infringement of the Police Force's right to property as protected by Article 26 of the Constitution. The court held that the respondents act…

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• Public Land Ownership
• Right To Property
• Local Government Powers
• Police Property Transfer

Nakaggwa Nakiwala v Kalungu District Local Government (Misc Cause No. 12 of 2020)

Nakaggwa Nakiwala v Kalungu District Local Government (Misc Cause No. 12 of 2020) [2021] UGHCCD 240 (29 April 2021)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Misc Cause No. 12 of 2020

Judge

Katamba Nkwanga, J

The High Court held that the Applicant’s removal from the district executive committee was lawful under the Local Government Act and dismissed the judicial review application.

• Judicial Review
• Public Officer Dismissal
• Natural Justice
• Local Government Powers
• Procedural Fairness
• Judicial-review

National Outdoor Advertising Contractors Association Ltd v Kampala Capital City Authority

National Outdoor Advertising Contractors Association Ltd v Kampala Capital City Authority (MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 407 OF 2019) [2020] UGHCCD 61 (23 April 2020)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 407 OF 2019

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The court found that the respondent levied and collected outdoor advertising rates from the applicant's members without enabling legislation, relying on policy documents and council minutes rather than an Act of Parliament as required by Article 152 of the Constitution and section 50 of the Kampala Capital City Act. The imposition of such charges was therefore ultra vires, illegal, and unconstitutional. The respondent's argument that the charges were fees and not taxes was rejected, as both fees and rates under section 50 are subject to the constitutional requirement for parliamentary authori…

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• Judicial Review
• Ultra Vires Decision
• Local Government Powers
• Taxation Without Enabling Legislation
• Refund Of Illegal Charges

ATC Uganda Limited v Kampala Capital City Authority

ATC Uganda Limited v Kampala Capital City Authority (MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATION NO.480 OF 2018) [2018] UGHCCD 88 (18 October 2018)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATION NO.480 OF 2018

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The court found that the applicant established a prima facie case, as there was a genuine dispute regarding the lawfulness of the property rates levied on its telecom masts under the Local Governments (Rating) Act, 2005. The court determined that the applicant would suffer irreparable injury if the injunction was not granted, as the attachment and shutdown of its masts would disrupt telecommunications, compromise national security, and cause losses that could not be adequately compensated by damages. The balance of convenience favored the applicant, as the potential harm to its business and t…

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• Temporary Injunctions
• Property Rates
• Telecommunications Infrastructure
• Local Government Powers
• Irreparable Injury
• Balance Of Convenience

Sempiira John Bahati v Masaka Municipal Council & Anor (Labour Dispute Claim 43 of 2016)

Sempiira John Bahati v Masaka Municipal Council & Anor (Labour Dispute Claim 43 of 2016) [2016] UGIC 26 (21 October 2016)

Court

Industrial Court of Uganda

Case number

Labour Dispute Claim 43 of 2016

Judge

Ruhinda-Ntengye, J, Tumusiime-Mugisha, J

The Industrial Court held that a CAO lawfully submitted a municipal auditor for discipline, the claimant had a fair hearing, and the demotion was lawful.

• Disciplinary Procedure
• Public Service Employment
• Natural Justice
• Local Government Powers
• Disciplinary-procedure
• Public-service-employment

Kihunde & Anor v Fort Portal Municipal Council & Anor (HCT-01-CV-MA-0061 of 2016)

Kihunde & Anor v Fort Portal Municipal Council & Anor (HCT-01-CV-MA-0061 of 2016) [2016] UGHCCD 76 (29 August 2016)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

HCT-01-CV-MA-0061 of 2016

Judge

Ojok, J

The High Court partly allowed a judicial review challenge to a Town Clerk’s staff reorganization, quashing the demotion but upholding the transfer and refusing damages.

• Judicial Review
• Public Officer Transfer
• Demotion And Reinstatement
• Local Government Powers
• Procedural Fairness
• Judicial-review

Satya v Attorney General

Satya v Attorney General (Constitutional Petition No. 36 of 2012) [2016] UGCC 5 (9 February 2016)

Court

Constitutional Court of Uganda

Case number

Constitutional Petition No. 36 of 2012

The Constitutional Court held it had jurisdiction over a challenge to Kween District’s headquarters, but found no constitutional breach and granted no relief.

• District Creation
• Local Government Powers
• Constitutional Interpretation
• Public Participation
• Administrative Decisions
• Constitutional-interpretation

Hon. Kasiano Wadri v The Hon. Minister Of Local Government (Misc. Cause No.46 Of 2007) (Misc. Cause No.46 of 2007)

Hon. Kasiano Wadri v The Hon. Minister Of Local Government (Misc. Cause No.46 Of 2007) (Misc. Cause No.46 of 2007) [2009] UGHC 160 (26 March 2009)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Misc. Cause No.46 of 2007

The High Court quashed the Minister’s decision naming Nyadri as district headquarters, held it ultra vires, and ordered the matter remitted to the Interim Council.

• Judicial Review
• Ultra Vires Decision
• Local Government Powers
• Certiorari And Prohibition
• Judicial-review
• Certiorari

Gathungu v Regina

Gathungu v Regina (Criminal Appeal No. 669 of 1952) [1953] EACA 10 (1 January 1953)

Court

East African Court of Appeal

Case number

Criminal Appeal No. 669 of 1952

Judge

Bourke J, Hearne CJ

The appeal succeeded because the headman’s terracing order was not shown to have been made on the required advice of an agricultural officer.

• Native Authority Ordinance
• African District Councils
• Enforceability Of Orders
• Statutory Repeal
• Local Government Powers
• Criminal-law