Uganda Case Law

Jjingo Samuel Bagenzekukola v Norah Nakubulwa and John Kalungi Kalule

Jjingo Samuel Bagenzekukola v Norah Nakubulwa and John Kalungi Kalule (Civil Appeal No. 681 of 2023) [2025] UGCA 238 (18 July 2025)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 681 of 2023

Judge

Luswata, JA, Byaruhanga Jesse Rugyema, JA/JCC, Stella Alibateese, JA/JCC

The Court of Appeal found that the appellant failed to prove lawful ownership of the suit land on the balance of probabilities. The gift deed relied upon by the appellant named a different individual as the donee, and the evidence presented did not credibly establish that the appellant was the intended recipient. The chain of custody for the gift deed was broken, and the stepmother who allegedly provided the document did not testify. The expert evidence was discounted due to reliance on unproven documents (a cheque and a WILL), and the presumption of authenticity under Section 90 of the Evide…

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• Ownership Disputes
• Gifts Inter Vivos
• Estate Administration
• Will Contestation

Mafabi Tom v Moses Musambwa

Mafabi Tom v Moses Musambwa (Civil Appeal No. 70 of 2023) [2025] UGHC 478 (2 July 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 70 of 2023

Judge

Lubega, J

The High Court dismissed an appeal over ownership of land used by the respondent son, finding the appellant had gifted the land inter vivos.

• Ownership Disputes
• Gift Inter Vivos
• Customary Land
• Trespass
• Family Land
• Burden Of Proof

Commissioner Land Registration v J.K Operators Limited and Others

Commissioner Land Registration v J.K Operators Limited and Others (Miscellaneous Application 2643 of 2024) [2025] UGHCLD 74 (26 May 2025)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 2643 of 2024

Judge

Naluzze Aisha Batala, J

The High Court consolidated two connected land suits involving the same Busabala property, finding common ownership issues and overlapping title questions.

• Consolidation Of Suits
• Ownership Disputes
• Overlapping Titles
• Compensation For Land
• Trespass
• Fraudulent Registration

Kumaraki v Kumaraki (HCT-01-CV-MA-0092-2024)

Kumaraki v Kumaraki (HCT-01-CV-MA-0092-2024) [2025] UGHC 274 (25 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

HCT-01-CV-MA-0092-2024

Judge

Wagona, J

The applicant's proposed amendment seeks to substitute the original cause of action of joint ownership with a new cause of action based on sole ownership, supported by materially different facts. The law prohibits amendments that introduce a distinct cause of action unrelated to the original pleading. The court found that the proposed amendment constitutes a complete shift in the factual and legal basis of the claim, which is impermissible under Ugandan civil procedure. As such, the application for leave to amend the plaint was dismissed. The court further held that, since the first element o…

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• Amendment Of Pleadings
• Cause Of Action
• Ownership Disputes
• Joinder Of Parties

Ssebowa Maurice v Mariam Kulabako Muliisa and Birungi Madinah

Ssebowa Maurice v Mariam Kulabako Muliisa and Birungi Madinah (Civil Suit 43 of 2022) [2025] UGHC 300 (23 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 43 of 2022

Judge

Wolayo, J

The High Court dismissed a land ownership and fraud claim, finding the plaintiff failed to prove purchase or possession while the first defendant proved lawful acquisition and title.

• Ownership Disputes
• Fraud Allegations
• Burden Of Proof
• Sale Of Land
• Registration Of Title
• Land-ownership

Kakooza v Mayanja

Kakooza v Mayanja (Civil Appeal 5 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 204 (20 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 5 of 2024

Judge

Tweyanze, J

The court found that the Appellant failed to prove ownership of the suit Kibanja on the balance of probabilities. The evidence presented by the Appellant was inconsistent and contradicted by documentary and testimonial evidence, including local council confirmation of the Respondent's long-term occupation and ownership. The Appellant's documents did not sufficiently describe the land in dispute, and his testimony was inconsistent regarding dates and boundaries. The Respondent's occupation was corroborated by local authorities and unchallenged documentary evidence. The court held that the burd…

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• Customary Tenure
• Ownership Disputes
• Burden Of Proof
• Evidence Evaluation

Kyampaire Penninah v Turinawe Emmanuel and Nsimaruhanga Hannington

Kyampaire Penninah v Turinawe Emmanuel and Nsimaruhanga Hannington (Civil Appeal 37 of 2019) [2025] UGHC 356 (10 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 37 of 2019

Judge

Emokor, J

The High Court upheld findings that the appellant failed to prove joint ownership or marriage, but set aside costs against her in the interest of equity.

• Ownership Disputes
• Matrimonial Property
• Family Land
• Costs Award
• Land-ownership
• Matrimonial-property

Karamagi v Kagenda (HCT-CV-MA 99 of 2024)

Karamagi v Kagenda (HCT-CV-MA 99 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 138 (28 February 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

HCT-CV-MA 99 of 2024

Judge

Wagona, J

The court found that the Applicant, Eric Karamagi Kaduru, demonstrated sufficient interest in the suit land as the administrator and beneficiary of the estate of the late Rosemary Awino Kaduru, and that the Defendant in the main suit was acting as his caretaker. The court held that any orders made in the main suit would affect the Applicant's interests, making his presence necessary for the complete and effectual adjudication of the ownership dispute. The court exercised its discretion under Order 1 Rule 10(2) of the Civil Procedure Rules to allow the Applicant to be added as a Defendant, emp…

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• Joinder Of Parties
• Ownership Disputes
• Estate Administration

Kissa v Chesang

Kissa v Chesang (Civil Appeal 56 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 50 (19 February 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 56 of 2024

Judge

Lubega, J

The High Court dismissed a land appeal, upholding the finding that the respondent was the lawful owner and not a trespasser, and confirming costs against the appellant.

• Ownership Disputes
• Trespass To Land
• Due Diligence In Land Transactions
• Court Auction Procedure
• Land-ownership-dispute
• Trespass-to-land

Baluku Alai Juma v Thembo Wilson Mugoha

Baluku Alai Juma v Thembo Wilson Mugoha (Criminal Session 6 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 400 (18 February 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Session 6 of 2024

Judge

David S.L. Makumbi, J

The appeal succeeded in part because the lower court erred by relying on a purchase agreement that was never formally admitted in evidence, thereby denying the Defendant a fair opportunity to challenge its authenticity and admissibility. The Plaintiff's case was premised on ownership by virtue of purchase, but neither the original nor a properly admitted copy of the purchase agreement was produced. The lower court's reliance on this document, despite its questionable authenticity and lack of formal admission, meant the Plaintiff failed to discharge the burden of proof. The appellate court set…

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• Customary Land Tenure
• Ownership Disputes
• Burden Of Proof
• Admissibility Of Evidence