Uganda Case Law

Alaba v Bank of Uganda (Labour Dispute 53 of 2017)

Alaba v Bank of Uganda (Labour Dispute 53 of 2017) [2025] UGIC 33 (4 April 2025)

Court

Industrial Court of Uganda

Case number

Labour Dispute 53 of 2017

Judges

Wabwire Musana, J

The court found that while Rule 8 of the Retirement Benefits Scheme Trust Deed generally disentitled employees dismissed before normal retirement age from further benefits, it contained a proviso allowing the trustees, at the employer's direction, to deal with already accrued benefits. The claimant, as a member of the scheme from 1st May 1984 to her dismissal on 10th February 1994, had accrued benefits during her service. The respondent's decision to freeze these benefits until the claimant reached retirement age was within its discretion under the scheme rules and did not constitute an error…

Source excerpt

• Dismissal
• Retirement Benefits
• Pension Entitlement
• Promissory Estoppel
• Employment Contracts
• Damages

Agaba Patience v Makerere University and Another

Agaba Patience v Makerere University and Another (Civil Suit No. 427 of 2017) [2022] UGHCCD 219 (31 October 2022)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 427 of 2017

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court held that the plaintiff’s admission to a master’s programme was provisional and lawfully cancelled after verification showed she was ineligible.

• University Admission
• Provisional Admission
• Right To Be Heard
• Promissory Estoppel
• Academic Policy
• Affiliated Institutions

Libyan Arab Foreign Investiments Company (LAFICO) v Southern Investiments Limited

Libyan Arab Foreign Investiments Company (LAFICO) v Southern Investiments Limited (Civil Appeal No. 198 of 2014) [2022] UGCA 259 (18 October 2022)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 198 of 2014

Judge

Madrama, JA, Mulyagonja, JA, Barishaki, JA

The Court of Appeal held that the respondent's cause of action accrued upon the final payment by the Government of Uganda in July 2009, making the suit filed in 2011 within the statutory limitation period for contractual claims. The appellant's failure to apply for stay and referral to arbitration at the appropriate stage meant the trial court was correct to proceed with the suit. The agreement to accept USD 2,560,628 as full and final settlement was binding on the respondent under the doctrine of promissory estoppel, as the respondent acted on the promise. However, the appellant failed to pr…

Source excerpt

• Commission Agreements
• Contractual Limitation Periods
• Arbitration Clauses
• Promissory Estoppel
• Agency And Principal Liability

Libyan Arab Foreign Investment Co (LAFICO) v Southern Investments Limited

Libyan Arab Foreign Investment Co (LAFICO) v Southern Investments Limited (Civil Appeal No. 198 of 2014) [2022] UGCA 366 (18 October 2022)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 198 of 2014

Judge

Cheborion-Barishaki, JA, Madrama, JA, Mulyagonja, JA

The Court of Appeal held that the respondent's suit was not time barred, as the cause of action accrued on 31st July 2009 when the last payment was made by the Government of Uganda, and the suit filed in 2011 was within the six-year limitation period for contract claims. The appellant's request for referral to arbitration was rejected because no timely application for stay was made; raising the issue only in final submissions was insufficient. On the substantive claim, the court found that the parties entered a subsequent agreement in January 2006, under which the respondent accepted USD 2,56…

Source excerpt

• Commission Agreements
• Contractual Limitation Periods
• Arbitration Clauses
• Agency And Principal Liability
• Promissory Estoppel

Medical Equipment Consults Limited v Ecos Medical Foundation Limited

Medical Equipment Consults Limited v Ecos Medical Foundation Limited (Civil Suit 674 of 2019) [2022] UGCommC 140 (31 May 2022)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 674 of 2019

Judge

Stephen Mubiru, J

The court held that an addendum made the plaintiff’s right to recover payment subject to repayment of a GroFin loan, so the suit was premature.

• Contract Interpretation
• Addendum Effects
• Promissory Estoppel
• Priority Of Obligations
• Contract-interpretation
• Addendum

Robert Mwesigwa and Anor v Bank of Uganda (HCT-00-CC-CS 588 of 2003)

Robert Mwesigwa and Anor v Bank of Uganda (HCT-00-CC-CS 588 of 2003) [2005] UGCommC 33 (21 June 2005)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

HCT-00-CC-CS 588 of 2003

The High Court struck out a suit by former bank employees against Bank of Uganda, holding that no cause of action was disclosed and bad faith was not properly pleaded.

• Cause Of Action
• Privity Of Contract
• Statutory Liquidation
• Bad Faith Pleading
• Promissory Estoppel
• Assignment Of Liabilities

Bank of Uganda v Masaba and Others

Bank of Uganda v Masaba and Others (Civil Appeal 23 of 1997; Civil Appeal 45 of 1997) [1998] UGCA 47 (28 April 1998)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 23 of 1997 ; Civil Appeal 45 of 1997

Judge

Manyindo, DCJ, Berko, JA, Twinomujuni, JA

The Court of Appeal held that the Bank of Uganda, through its Governor, made clear representations in its circular that housing loans would not be deducted from the voluntary retirement package, inducing employees to retire early. This representation was either knowingly false or made recklessly without ascertaining the Bank's ability to fulfill it, amounting to negligent misrepresentation actionable at law. The respondents relied on this promise to their detriment, forming a binding contract upon acceptance and retirement. The Bank's subsequent deduction of housing loans constituted a breach…

Source excerpt

• Voluntary Retirement Scheme
• Negligent Misrepresentation
• Breach Of Contract
• Employment Termination Benefits
• Damages Assessment
• Promissory Estoppel