Uganda Case Law

Andrew Kananura v Sheila Taratibu (Divorce Cause 62 of 2024)

Andrew Kananura v Sheila Taratibu (Divorce Cause 62 of 2024) [2025] UGHCFD 53 (27 June 2025)

Court

HC: Family Division (Uganda)

Case number

Divorce Cause 62 of 2024

Judge

Keitirima, J

The court determined that the paramount consideration in custody matters is the welfare and best interests of the children, as mandated by the Children Act and constitutional provisions. Both parents have equal rights and responsibilities, and there was insufficient evidence to establish that the petitioner posed a risk of harm or abuse to the children. The evidence showed that both parents have historically provided for the children and that animosity between them should not preclude joint parenting. Sole custody is reserved for exceptional cases involving proven abuse, which was not establi…

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• Child Custody
• Parental Responsibility
• Child Welfare
• Visitation Rights

Nabukalu Florence v Ssemwanga Godfrey Lule

Nabukalu Florence v Ssemwanga Godfrey Lule (Miscellaneous Cause 4 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 363 (29 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 4 of 2024

Judge

Bukirwa, J

The court found that the applicant is the biological mother of the minor and that the minor is the registered owner of the property in question. The minor, being under 18 years of age, cannot legally transact regarding his property, necessitating the appointment of a guardian. The evidence established that the applicant has been solely responsible for the child's welfare due to the respondent's violent and irresponsible conduct. The court held that the applicant's request to rent out the property and use the proceeds for the child's welfare and education is in the best interests of the child,…

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• Legal Guardianship
• Child Welfare
• Domestic Violence
• Proprietary Rights Of Minors
• Parental Responsibility

David Siriri v Liz Miriam Namusoke (Divorce Cause 158 of 2019)

David Siriri v Liz Miriam Namusoke (Divorce Cause 158 of 2019) [2024] UGHCFD 82 (22 November 2024)

Court

HC: Family Division (Uganda)

Case number

Divorce Cause 158 of 2019

Judge

Nagawa, J

The High Court dissolved a marriage on grounds of cruelty and desertion, ordered child maintenance arrangements, and divided disputed matrimonial property.

• Divorce
• Matrimonial Property Distribution
• Child Custody
• Child Maintenance
• Property Valuation
• Parental Responsibility

In the matter for guardianship Order by Turyatemba

In the matter for guardianship Order by Turyatemba (Miscellaneous Cause 18 of 2024) [2024] UGHC 1039 (17 October 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 18 of 2024

Judge

Wagona, J

The High Court granted a limited guardianship order allowing a father to pledge a minor’s land as collateral for a loan to support the child’s education and needs.

• Guardianship Of Minors
• Best Interests Of Child
• Parental Responsibility
• Minor Property Management
• Guardianship-of-minors
• Best-interests-of-the-child

Lubega Joseph Wasswa v Judith Tuhaise (FC Guardianship Application 54 of 2023)

Lubega Joseph Wasswa v Judith Tuhaise (FC Guardianship Application 54 of 2023) [2024] UGHC 35 (31 January 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

FC Guardianship Application 54 of 2023

Judge

Echookit, J

The court found that the applicant, Lubega Joseph Wasswa, is the biological father and sole provider for the two minors, and has demonstrated fitness and propriety for guardianship. The evidence presented, including birth certificates, employment records, certificate of good conduct, and a recommendation from the Welfare and Probation Officer, established that the applicant is capable of acting in the best interests of the children. The respondent consented to the application, and the divorce consent judgment provided for the welfare and property interests of the minors. The court applied the…

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• Legal Guardianship
• Welfare Of Children
• Parental Responsibility
• Divorce And Custody

Nalwoga v Katagwa

Nalwoga v Katagwa (Miscellaneous Application 4 of 2023) [2023] UGHCFD 185 (10 November 2023)

Court

HC: Family Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 4 of 2023

Judge

Nagawa, J

The High Court upheld an interim custody order in favour of the father, finding the children’s welfare and stability justified leaving them in his care.

• Child Custody
• Interim Orders
• Best Interests Of Child
• Parental Responsibility
• Child-custody
• Interim-orders

Tendo v Tumwebaze

Tendo v Tumwebaze (Miscellaneous Application 957 of 2023) [2023] UGHCFD 165 (15 September 2023)

Court

HC: Family Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 957 of 2023

Judge

Nagawa, J

The High Court allowed exhumation of the late Frank Mugasha’s remains for DNA testing to determine whether the applicant was his child.

• Paternity Testing
• Exhumation Orders
• Parental Responsibility
• Estate Beneficiary Disputes
• Paternity-testing
• Exhumation-orders

Seduge v Muhimpundu (Divorce Cause 113 of 2023)

Seduge v Muhimpundu (Divorce Cause 113 of 2023) [2023] UGHCFD 145 (1 August 2023)

Court

HC: Family Division (Uganda)

Case number

Divorce Cause 113 of 2023

Judge

Nagawa, J

The court found that both parties established grounds for divorce, specifically cruelty and desertion, supported by evidence of physical violence, mental agony, and prolonged separation. The court held that the marriage had irretrievably broken down and that keeping it intact would be detrimental to both parties. Regarding custody, the court applied the paramount welfare principle, considering the children's ages, educational stability, and the parents' circumstances. It determined that joint custody, with structured arrangements for holidays, access, and residence, best served the children's…

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• Divorce
• Child Custody
• Maintenance Of Children
• Parental Responsibility

Asio v Opul

Asio v Opul (Matrimonial Cause 167 of 2020) [2023] UGHCFD 132 (6 February 2023)

Court

HC: Family Division (Uganda)

Case number

Matrimonial Cause 167 of 2020

Judge

Katunguka Kitariisibwa, J

The court found that the petitioner proved grounds for divorce based on desertion and cruelty. The respondent deserted the matrimonial home in 2012 and withheld conjugal rights for over ten years, amounting to both physical and emotional cruelty. The respondent failed to provide for the children, leaving the petitioner to shoulder all parental responsibilities, which the court deemed emotionally cruel. The petitioner established a valid marriage and demonstrated her entitlement to dissolution. Regarding property, the petitioner failed to prove ownership or contribution to the Muyenga properti…

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• Divorce
• Child Custody
• Child Maintenance
• Matrimonial Property
• Parental Responsibility

Asio v Opul

Asio v Opul (Matrimonial Cause 167 of 2020) [2023] UGHCFD 53 (6 February 2023)

Court

HC: Family Division (Uganda)

Case number

Matrimonial Cause 167 of 2020

Judge

Katunguka Kitariisibwa, J

The court found that the petitioner proved both desertion and cruelty as grounds for divorce. The respondent left the matrimonial home in 2012 and failed to return or provide for the children, amounting to both desertion and emotional cruelty. The petitioner also established that she has been solely responsible for the children's welfare, which further supports the finding of cruelty. The court held that the marriage should be dissolved, the petitioner should retain the Bugolobi property, and both parties should share custody and maintenance responsibilities for the children. The respondent's…

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• Divorce
• Child Custody
• Child Maintenance
• Matrimonial Property
• Parental Responsibility