Uganda Case Law

Odeke & 2 Others v Uganda

Odeke & 2 Others v Uganda (Criminal Appeal 63 of 2019) [2025] UGSC 16 (11 April 2025)

Court

Supreme Court of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal 63 of 2019

Judge

Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, JSC, Elizabeth Musoke, JSC, Christopher Madrama Izama, JSC, Catherine Bamugemereire, JSC, Monica K. Mugenyi, JSC

The Supreme Court held that its jurisdiction in criminal appeals regarding sentence is strictly limited by Section 5(3) of the Judicature Act, which prohibits appeals based on severity of sentence. The appellants' challenge was found to be a disguised appeal against severity, not legality, of sentence. The Court found no illegality or inconsistency with judicial precedent in the sentences imposed. The appeal was therefore dismissed, and the sentences of 25 years' imprisonment for each appellant were upheld.

Source excerpt

• Murder
• Sentencing Appeals
• Jurisdiction Of Supreme Court
• Severity Of Sentence
• Legality Of Sentence

Mujurizi v Uganda

Mujurizi v Uganda (Criminal Appeal 342 of 2016) [2024] UGCA 138 (7 June 2024)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal 342 of 2016

Judge

Muzamiru, JA, Gashirabake, JA, Kihika ,JA

The Court of Appeal upheld plea-bargain sentences for murder and aggravated robbery, rejecting claims that the appellant misunderstood the bargain or that remand time was ignored.

• Plea Bargain Agreements
• Sentencing Guidelines
• Remand Period Deduction
• Severity Of Sentence
• Plea-bargain
• Criminal-sentencing

Mwesigye v Uganda (HCT-00-CR-CM 16 of 2021)

Mwesigye v Uganda (HCT-00-CR-CM 16 of 2021) [2021] UGHCCRD 39 (26 March 2021)

Court

HC: Criminal Division (Uganda)

Case number

HCT-00-CR-CM 16 of 2021

Judge

Asiimwe, J

The High Court dismissed an application to extend time to appeal after guilty pleas, finding no sufficient cause and minimal likelihood of success.

• Extension Of Time To Appeal
• Right Of Appeal After Guilty Plea
• Covid 19 Restrictions On Appeals
• Severity Of Sentence
• Legality Of Plea
• Extension-of-time-to-appeal

Musede v Uganda

Musede v Uganda [2019] UGSC 69 (22 August 2019)

Court

Supreme Court of Uganda

Judge

Mwangusya, JSC, Arach-Amoko, JSC, Katureebe, CJ, Tumwesigye, JSC, Mwondha, JSC

The Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal properly applied the law by deducting only the period spent on remand (3 years and 6 months) from the 35-year sentence for murder, resulting in a sentence of 32 years and 6 months. The Court clarified that the period spent in prison after conviction does not constitute remand under Article 23(8) of the Constitution and is not subject to deduction. Appeals to the Supreme Court on severity of sentence are prohibited by section 5(3) of the Judicature Act; only matters of law may be considered. The authorities cited by the appellant were either not…

Source excerpt

• Sentencing Principles
• Remand Period Deduction
• Severity Of Sentence
• Constitutional Compliance

Nuuhu v Uganda

Nuuhu v Uganda (Criminal Appeal 3 of 2004) [2005] UGSC 31 (4 November 2005)

Court

Supreme Court of Uganda

Case number

Criminal Appeal 3 of 2004

Judge

Odoki, CJ, Oder, JSC, Tsekooko, JSC, Karokora, JSC, Kanyeihamba, JSC

The Supreme Court of Uganda upheld a kidnapping-with-intent-to-murder conviction, rejected the alibi defence, and dismissed the appeal.

• Kidnapping With Intent To Murder
• Defence Of Alibi
• Corroboration Of Evidence
• Severity Of Sentence
• Presumption Of Intent
• Identification Evidence

Rex v Awadh

Rex v Awadh (Criminal Appeal No. 239 of 1946) [1946] EACA 52 (1 January 1946)

Court

East African Court of Appeal

Case number

Criminal Appeal No. 239 of 1946

Judge

Gray CJ, Sheridan CJ, Sinclair J

The Court of Appeal for Eastern Africa dismissed a second criminal appeal, holding that severity of sentence could not be challenged and that the bribery conviction stood.

• Official Corruption
• Bribery Of Police Officer
• Severity Of Sentence
• Appeal Rights
• Criminal-law
• Bribery

Rex v Odima

Rex v Odima (Criminal Appeal No. 77 of 1941) [1941] EACA 54 (1 January 1941)

Court

East African Court of Appeal

Case number

Criminal Appeal No. 77 of 1941

Judge

Gamble, J. (Uganda), Sheridan, (C.J. Kenya), Webb CJ

The Court of Appeal for Eastern Africa dismissed a criminal appeal, holding that no right of appeal survived the repeal of the relevant provision and that no appeal lay on sentence severity.

• Right Of Appeal
• Severity Of Sentence
• Jurisdiction Of Court
• Statutory Repeal
• Criminal-appeal-right
• Severity-of-sentence

Rex v Aslam

Rex v Aslam (Criminal Appeal No. 196 of 1940) [1941] EACA 31 (1 January 1941)

Court

East African Court of Appeal

Case number

Criminal Appeal No. 196 of 1940

Judge

Sheridan, (C.J. Kenya), Webb CJ, Whitley CJ

The Court of Appeal for Eastern Africa dismissed a criminal second appeal challenging sentence enhancement, holding that severity of sentence was not appealable under section 346.

• Sentence Enhancement
• Appeal Jurisdiction
• Severity Of Sentence
• Assault On Police Officer
• Sentence-enhancement
• Criminal-appeals