Uganda Case Law

Bethel Lunize Kigongo v Ssemwanga Joseph and Others (Misc. Application No. 1013 of 2024)

Bethel Lunize Kigongo v Ssemwanga Joseph and Others (Misc. Application No. 1013 of 2024) [2025] UGCommC 198 (30 June 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Misc. Application No. 1013 of 2024

Judge

Susan Odongo, J

The court found that the applicant demonstrated sufficient cause for leave to amend the plaint, as the original pleadings failed to adequately particularize allegations of fraud and illegality due to the negligence of former counsel. The court emphasized that amendments are permissible at any stage to ensure the real issues are determined, provided no injustice is occasioned to the other party, and any prejudice can be compensated by costs. The absence of any opposition or affidavit in reply from the respondents indicated no demonstrated prejudice. Regarding service, the court accepted the ap…

Source excerpt

• Amendment Of Pleadings
• Substituted Service
• Fraud In Land Disputes

Allan Lwanga v I & M Bank (Uganda) Limited

Allan Lwanga v I & M Bank (Uganda) Limited (Miscellaneous Application No. 1022 of 2024) [2025] UGCommC 138 (28 March 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 1022 of 2024

Judge

Ocaya, J

The High Court dismissed Allan Lwanga’s bid to set aside a default decree and obtain leave to defend, finding substituted service valid, no good cause, and no triable issue.

• Summary Suits
• Default Judgment
• Substituted Service
• Leave To Defend
• Loan Disputes
• Summary-suit

Shapira & Another v Uganda Communications Commission

Shapira & Another v Uganda Communications Commission (Miscellaneous Application 309 of 2023) [2025] UGHCCD 46 (26 February 2025)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 309 of 2023

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court set aside an ex parte judgment and decree against two non-resident applicants, finding substituted newspaper service ineffective and allowing defence.

• Substituted Service
• Setting Aside Ex Parte Judgment
• Jurisdictional Service
• Director Liability
• Substituted-service
• Setting-aside-ex-parte-judgment

Ssebatta v Mayambala

Ssebatta v Mayambala (Miscellaneous Application 2184 of 2024) [2024] UGHCLD 237 (10 October 2024)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 2184 of 2024

Judge

Naluzze Aisha Batala, J

The High Court allowed an unopposed application to enlarge time, set aside substituted service and an ex parte order, and let the applicant file a defence within 7 days.

• Enlargement Of Time
• Substituted Service
• Exparte Orders
• Written Statement Of Defence
• Fair Hearing
• Enlargement-of-time

Kaggwa v Tabe

Kaggwa v Tabe (Civil Miscellaneous Application 17 of 2023) [2024] UGHC 986 (3 October 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Miscellaneous Application 17 of 2023

Judge

Acellam, J

The High Court declined to review and reinstate an appeal, finding the application premature because the respondent had not been properly served.

• Review Of Court Orders
• Service Of Process
• Appeal Reinstatement
• Substituted Service
• Review-of-court-orders
• Service-of-process

Centenary Rural Development Bank v Kamukama

Centenary Rural Development Bank v Kamukama (Miscellaneous Application 546 of 2024) [2024] UGCommC 199 (15 July 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 546 of 2024

Judge

Harriet Grace Magala, J

The Applicant demonstrated that personal service of summons on the Respondent was not possible despite diligent efforts, including attempts via telephone and at Parliament. The court found that the requirements for substituted service under Order 5 rule 18(1) of the Civil Procedure Rules were met. The summons in HCCS 0117 of 2024 was renewed, and the Applicant was granted leave to serve the Respondent through substituted service by advertising in a widely circulated newspaper and posting on the court notice board. Costs of the application were ordered to abide the outcome of the main suit, in…

Source excerpt

• Service Of Summons
• Substituted Service
• Extension Of Time
• Costs Award

Vincent R. Bbale Mugera & Sarah Kagere Bbale Mugera v Peri-Urban Agro Enterprises Limited & Wamboka Martin

Vincent R. Bbale Mugera & Sarah Kagere Bbale Mugera v Peri-Urban Agro Enterprises Limited & Wamboka Martin (Miscellaneous Application 3851 of 2023) [2024] UGHCLD 35 (12 February 2024)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 3851 of 2023

Judge

Naluzze Aisha Batala, J

The High Court allowed substituted service of court directives and a hearing notice on an absent respondent after personal service efforts failed.

• Substituted Service
• Service Of Process
• Court Directives
• Hearing Notice
• Substituted-service
• Service-of-process

Kisuule and Another v Kyeyune and Another

Kisuule and Another v Kyeyune and Another (Miscellaneous Application 61 of 2024) [2024] UGHCLD 9 (15 January 2024)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 61 of 2024

Judge

Naluzze Aisha Batala, J

The High Court granted leave for substituted service after finding that personal service on the respondents had failed despite repeated attempts, and made no order as to costs.

• Substituted Service
• Service Of Process
• Enlargement Of Time
• Affidavit Evidence
• Summons Procedure
• Substituted-service

Mukembo v Mubiru and 4 Others (HCT-03-LD-MA 80 of 2023)

Mukembo v Mubiru and 4 Others (HCT-03-LD-MA 80 of 2023) [2023] UGHC 176 (22 November 2023)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

HCT-03-LD-MA 80 of 2023

Judge

Nabisinde, J

The High Court at Jinja dismissed an application to set aside an ex parte judgment and extend time to defend, finding substituted service was effective and no sufficient cause was shown.

• Setting Aside Exparte Judgment
• Service Of Summons
• Substituted Service
• Letters Of Administration
• Right To Be Heard
• Setting-aside-ex-parte-judgment

Mrs. Christine Anywar & Rose Alilo v Mr. Christopher Alioma, Mr. Leni Gilbert Boniface, Andama Martin & The Red Pepper Publications Ltd

Mrs. Christine Anywar & Rose Alilo v Mr. Christopher Alioma, Mr. Leni Gilbert Boniface, Andama Martin & The Red Pepper Publications Ltd (Civil Suit 27 of 2015) [2023] UGHC 208 (16 October 2023)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 27 of 2015

Judge

Mwaka, J

The High Court at Gulu dismissed this libel and defamation suit for non-appearance after finding substituted service of the hearing notice had been properly effected.

• Dismissal For Non Appearance
• Substituted Service
• Libel
• Defamation
• Civil-procedure
• Substituted-service