Uganda Case Law

Lubega Phoebe v Deborah Nantume and Commissioner Land Registration

Lubega Phoebe v Deborah Nantume and Commissioner Land Registration (Civil Suit 289 of 2022) [2025] UGHC 495 (27 May 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 289 of 2022

Judge

Wolayo, J

The High Court found that the subject matter of the present suit—Buruli Block 147 Plot 183 land at Nakasongola—was previously litigated in Nakasongola Chief Magistrate's Civil Suit No. 006 of 2002 between the predecessors in title of the current parties. The lower court judgment conclusively determined that the land belonged to the orphans of the late Kitagenda Grace Samula, and ordered the defendant and her agents to vacate the land. The subsequent registration of the land in the names of Lubega Abel and then Deborah Nantume did not alter the fact that the dispute had already been adjudicate…

Source excerpt

• Res Judicata
• Registered Land Title
• Estate Administration
• Land Transfer
• Injunctions

Kagwa semikwano kibirige v Nabwire

Kagwa semikwano kibirige v Nabwire (Civil Suit 376 of 2016) [2024] UGHCLD 282 (13 November 2024)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit 376 of 2016

Judge

Nkonge, J

The High Court found the defendant had no valid kibanja interest and trespassed on registered land, granting declarations, injunction, damages, and costs.

• Trespass To Land
• Kibanja Rights
• Bona Fide Purchaser
• Registered Land Title
• Damages For Trespass
• Trespass-to-land

Ssemwezi v Namukasa & 2 Others

Ssemwezi v Namukasa & 2 Others (Miscellaneous Cause 33 of 2022) [2024] UGHC 285 (19 April 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 33 of 2022

Judge

Nakachwa, J

The High Court at Mukono ordered removal of a caveat from registered land after finding the respondents failed to show any lawful interest in it.

• Caveat Removal
• Registered Land Title
• Proprietary Interest Dispute
• Estate Administration
• Quiet Possession
• Caveat-removal

Were and Another v Kakande and 4 Others

Were and Another v Kakande and 4 Others (Miscellaneous Application 782 of 2023) [2023] UGHCLD 234 (4 August 2023)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 782 of 2023

Judge

Nkonge, J

The High Court reinstated a land suit dismissed for want of prosecution after finding sufficient cause, including belated payment of security for costs and triable issues on ownership.

• Dismissal For Want Of Prosecution
• Security For Costs
• Reinstatement Of Suit
• Registered Land Title
• Fraud In Land Registration
• Dismissal-for-want-of-prosecution

Dr. Businge v Kaddu

Dr. Businge v Kaddu (Civil Suit 312 of 2013) [2023] UGHCLD 136 (24 May 2023)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit 312 of 2013

Judge

Nkonge, J

The plaintiff proved ownership of the suit land by virtue of a registered title obtained from NHCC, which was unchallenged and conclusive under the Registration of Titles Act. The defendant failed to establish a valid customary or kibanja interest, as his evidence was riddled with discrepancies regarding location, measurements, and authority of vendors. The agreements relied upon by the defendant pertained to land in Lugala, not Namungoona, and lacked proper consent from the registered owner. The purported estate beneficiaries had no valid claim, title, or letters of administration over the s…

Source excerpt

• Registered Land Title
• Customary Tenure
• Trespass To Land
• Burden Of Proof
• Remedies For Trespass

Mpanga v Kizito

Mpanga v Kizito (Civil Appeal No. 12 of 2011) [2015] UGHCLD 31 (1 June 2015)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 12 of 2011

Judge

Luswata, J

The High Court dismissed an appeal over title to land, holding that fraud was not pleaded or proved and that the respondent’s registered interest prevailed.

• Registered Land Title
• Fraud In Land Transactions
• Bonafide Occupant Status
• Equitable Interest
• Pleading Requirements
• Land-title

National Water & Sewarage Vs The Commissioner Land Registration (Misc. Application No. 039 of 2012)

National Water & Sewarage Vs The Commissioner Land Registration (Misc. Application No. 039 of 2012) [2015] UGHCCD 131 (21 May 2015)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Misc. Application No. 039 of 2012

Judge

Namundi, J

The High Court refused a vesting order over land where the applicant lacked proof of sale, the registered proprietor could be traced, and legal remedies had not been exhausted.

• Vesting Order
• Registered Land Title
• Transfer Of Property
• Long Occupation
• Unavailability Of Vendor
• Vesting-order

Nabisere v Mutebi & Anor

Nabisere v Mutebi & Anor (Civil Suit No. 565 of 2012) [2014] UGHCLD 31 (26 September 2014)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit No. 565 of 2012

Judge

Bashaija, J

High Court dismissed a land recovery suit as time barred, holding the claim accrued in 1986 and was filed outside the 12-year limitation period.

• Limitation Periods
• Adverse Possession
• Fraudulent Transfer Of Land
• Jurisdiction Of Courts
• Registered Land Title
• Land-recovery

Katungi Elikadi v Katungi Egidio (HCT-05-CV-CA-045-2004 ) (HCT-05-CV-CA-045-2004)

Katungi Elikadi v Katungi Egidio (HCT-05-CV-CA-045-2004 ) (HCT-05-CV-CA-045-2004) [2005] UGHC 100 (12 July 2005)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

HCT-05-CV-CA-045-2004

The High Court dismissed an appeal against a temporary injunction in a land dispute, holding that the tribunal properly considered balance of convenience and fairness.

• Temporary Injunction
• Customary Land Rights
• Registered Land Title
• Balance Of Convenience
• Temporary-injunction
• Land-disputes

Bwana & Bwanahave v Ibrahim & Abdulrehman

Bwana & Bwanahave v Ibrahim & Abdulrehman (Civil Appeal No. 5 of 1947) [1948] EACA 3 (1 January 1948)

Court

East African Court of Appeal

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 5 of 1947

Judge

Bourke J, Edwards CJ, Graham Paul CJ

The Court of Appeal held that limitation by adverse possession required proof of exclusive adverse possession, not just 12 years without suit.

• Adverse Possession
• Burden Of Proof
• Limitation Periods
• Registered Land Title
• Adverse-possession
• Burden-of-proof