Uganda Case Law

Editor in Chief & Printing, Publishing Company New Vision v Sekandi & Anor

Editor in Chief & Printing, Publishing Company New Vision v Sekandi & Anor (Civil Appeal No. 33 of 2011) [2013] UGHCCD 16 (1 February 2013)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 33 of 2011

The High Court found that the substance of the published article was true: the respondents had been arrested and detained on suspicion of stealing a cow, and this was accurately reported. The subsequent investigation, which established the cow belonged to one respondent, was not part of the story at the time of publication. The timing of the article, though after the respondents' release, did not alter the truth of the events as reported. The trial magistrate erred in focusing on the timing and malice, rather than the substantial truth of the publication. Since justification (truth) was estab…

Source excerpt

• Defamation
• Justification Defence
• Malice In Defamation
• Assessment Of Damages
• Media Law
• Libel

Kachontori v Kirunda

Kachontori v Kirunda (Civil Suit No. 62 of 2009) [2012] UGHC 203 (2 October 2012)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit No. 62 of 2009

Judge

Anglin, J

The High Court held that a radio broadcast defamed the plaintiff by falsely portraying him as corrupt and criminal, awarding damages, costs, and an injunction.

• Defamation
• Libel
• Malice In Defamation
• Damages For Defamation
• Injunction In Defamation
• Fair Comment Defence

The Editor Sunday Monitor and Others v Wabomba Mutenyo and Another

The Editor Sunday Monitor and Others v Wabomba Mutenyo and Another (Civil Appeal 60 of 2002) [2004] UGCA 34 (21 July 2004)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 60 of 2002

Judge

Mpagi-Bahigeine, JA, Kitumba, JA, Byamugisha, JA

The Court of Appeal held that Sunday Monitor’s publication was protected by qualified privilege and set aside High Court defamation damages.

• Defamation
• Qualified Privilege
• Journalistic Duty
• Malice In Defamation
• Public Interest
• Damages For Defamation

Caltex (Africa) Limited (East Africa) v Oddie

Caltex (Africa) Limited (East Africa) v Oddie (Civil Appeal No. 47 of 1955) [1955] EACA 315 (1 January 1955)

Court

East African Court of Appeal

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 47 of 1955

Judge

Macduff J, Nihill P, Worley VP

The Court of Appeal held that Oddie’s employment was governed by the contractual dismissal clause and that the dismissal notice was not defamatory.

• Wrongful Dismissal
• Contractual Terms Of Employment
• Libel And Defamation
• Qualified Privilege
• Malice In Defamation
• Damages Assessment