Uganda Case Law

Rugira Salim v Jakobu Enterprises Ltd

Rugira Salim v Jakobu Enterprises Ltd (Civil Suit 2 of 2023) [2025] UGHC 358 (10 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 2 of 2023

Judge

Emokor, J

The court determined that the plaintiff's claim for personal injuries resulting from negligence is time-barred under Section 3(1)(d) of the Limitation Act, as it was filed more than three years after the cause of action arose. However, the claim for loss of income and damages to the motor vehicle, which arises from negligence but does not include personal injuries, falls under Section 3(1)(a) and is subject to a six-year limitation period. Since the suit was filed within six years, this claim survives. The court, applying the principle of severance, rejected the time-barred personal injury cl…

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• Limitation Periods
• Negligence
• Personal Injury Claims
• Loss Of Income
• Special Damages

Kahigwa Rehema v Kahiji Idi

Kahigwa Rehema v Kahiji Idi (Civil Appeal 27 of 2023) [2025] UGHC 307 (4 April 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 27 of 2023

Judge

Wolayo, J

The High Court allowed an appeal over crop damage caused by cattle, finding private nuisance proved, awarding special and general damages, and setting aside the counterclaim.

• Private Nuisance
• Nuisance By Animals
• Special Damages
• General Damages
• Burden Of Proof
• Appeal Review

Dubai Click Trading Co. Ltd v Damco Logistics Uganda Ltd and Others

Dubai Click Trading Co. Ltd v Damco Logistics Uganda Ltd and Others (Civil Suit 378 of 2016) [2025] UGCommC 75 (4 April 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 378 of 2016

Judge

Wabwire, J

The Defendant, DAMCO Logistics Uganda Ltd, wrongfully withheld the Plaintiff's sugar consignment despite having received full payment of all substantiated charges and being notified of the sale transaction. DAMCO failed to prove the existence of any valid debt beyond USD 14,084, which was paid, and could not substantiate its claim of USD 196,415 with invoices or documentation. The assertion of a lien was not supported by law or evidence, and the Defendant's conduct amounted to unlawful conversion and interference with the Plaintiff's goods. The Plaintiff strictly proved its claim for special…

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• Contractual Liability
• Lien On Goods
• Special Damages
• General Damages
• Exemplary Damages

Uwamahoro v Senyonyi

Uwamahoro v Senyonyi (Miscellaneous Application 538 of 2022) [2025] UGHCCD 22 (14 February 2025)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 538 of 2022

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court struck out a plaint for failing to disclose a reasonable cause of action, finding the pleadings and annexures did not support the claimed liability.

• Striking Out Plaint
• Cause Of Action
• Business Investment Disputes
• Special Damages
• Pleadings Requirements
• Cause-of-action

Mugalaasi Holdings Limited v Kampala Capital City Authority & Another

Mugalaasi Holdings Limited v Kampala Capital City Authority & Another (Civil Suit 202 of 2020) [2025] UGCommC 8 (31 January 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 202 of 2020

Judge

Cornelia Kakooza Sabiiti, J

The High Court held NWSC liable for negligent excavation that damaged Mugalaasi Holdings’ building, but dismissed the claim against KCCA and reduced damages because the building was already dilapidated.

• Negligence
• Duty Of Care
• Property Damage
• Special Damages
• General Damages
• Remedies

Benar Technical Services Limited v National Curriculum Development Centre

Benar Technical Services Limited v National Curriculum Development Centre (Civil Suit 396 of 2013) [2025] UGCommC 18 (17 January 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 396 of 2013

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The court found that the contract executed between the parties was a lump sum contract, as evidenced by the signed agreement and the Plaintiff's knowledge of the change from admeasurement to lump sum prior to signing. The Plaintiff was bound by the terms of the written agreement, and no credible evidence was adduced to prove that the Bill of Quantities was under measured or that extra work was authorized and executed beyond the contract scope. The Plaintiff's claim for extra payment failed as the contract price was fixed and the Defendant did not authorize any variation. Similarly, the Defend…

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• Breach Of Contract
• Public Procurement
• Contract Interpretation
• Special Damages
• Remedies
• Evidence Standard

Kaahwa v Attorney General

Kaahwa v Attorney General (Civil Suit 29 of 2023) [2025] UGHC 106 (10 January 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 29 of 2023

Judge

Byaruhanga Rugyema, J

The court found that the Defendant's valuation failed to apply the market value principle and did not consider comparable sales or rental capacities, resulting in unfair and inadequate compensation. The Plaintiff's private valuation, based on the income approach and supported by evidence of rental agreements and comparable properties, was found to be more reliable and reflective of the true market value. The court held that compensation for compulsory acquisition must be fair and adequate, and that the Plaintiff is entitled to the higher valuation. The Defendant's rejection of the Plaintiff's…

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• Compulsory Land Acquisition
• Compensation Assessment
• Valuation Methods
• Market Value Principle
• General Damages
• Special Damages

Volcano Limited v Board of Governors Old Kampala Secondary School

Volcano Limited v Board of Governors Old Kampala Secondary School (Civil Suit 436 of 2018) [2024] UGHCLD 297 (19 December 2024)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit 436 of 2018

Judge

Nkonge, J

The High Court held the tenancy contract void for lack of mandatory Attorney General clearance, but awarded Volcano Limited UGX 84 million for minor repairs.

• Tenancy Agreement
• Procurement Irregularities
• Contract Validity
• Special Damages
• Renovation Permits
• Tenancy-agreement

Esco Uganda Limited v Kasangaki

Esco Uganda Limited v Kasangaki (Civil Suit 20 of 2022) [2024] UGHC 1143 (6 December 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 20 of 2022

Judge

Byaruhanga Rugyema, J

The High Court at Hoima awarded ESCO (U) Ltd special and general damages against its former branch manager for unaccounted funds, with interest and costs, after an uncontested ex parte hearing.

• Breach Of Fiduciary Duty
• Special Damages
• General Damages
• Interest Awards
• Exparte Proceedings
• Special-damages

Cargo Solutions Limited v Kyabaggu

Cargo Solutions Limited v Kyabaggu (Civil Appeal 34 of 2023) [2024] UGCommC 361 (8 November 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 34 of 2023

Judge

Anna B. Mugenyi, J

The High Court found that the trial magistrate erred in relying on a WhatsApp conversation (PIDI) that was only marked for identification and not admitted as evidence. However, this error did not result in a miscarriage of justice because, even without PIDI, the admitted documents (PEXH1, PEXH2, PEXH3) and the testimonies established that the appellant breached its contractual duty by failing to communicate the arrival and subsequent auctioning of the respondent's goods. The evidence showed that the appellant accepted part payment, shipped the goods, and failed to notify the respondent when t…

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• Breach Of Contract
• Evidence Admissibility
• Special Damages
• Contractual Obligations