Uganda Case Law

Kagoda Rogers and Another v National Agricultural Advisory Services

Kagoda Rogers and Another v National Agricultural Advisory Services (Miscellaneous Application No. 194 of 2024) [2025] UGHCCD 68 (13 June 2025)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 194 of 2024

Judge

Simon Peter M. Kinobe, J

The High Court reinstated a dismissed civil suit after finding sufficient cause for nonappearance, noting that hearing notices were not properly served.

• Reinstatement Of Dismissed Suit
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance
• Judicial Discretion In Setting Aside Dismissal
• Reinstatement-of-dismissed-suit
• Sufficient-cause-nonappearance
• Civil-procedure-dismissal

Katuram and 10 Others v Uganda National Roads Authority

Katuram and 10 Others v Uganda National Roads Authority (Miscellaneous Application 102 of 2023) [2024] UGHC 881 (12 July 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 102 of 2023

Judge

Byaruhanga Rugyema, J

The High Court set aside a dismissal for want of prosecution after finding sufficient cause based on counsel’s illness and failure to notify the applicants.

• Reinstatement Of Dismissed Suit
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance
• Negligence Of Counsel
• Trespass To Land
• Compulsory Acquisition
• Compensation For Land

ASL Hardware Limited & Another v VRL Logistics Limited

ASL Hardware Limited & Another v VRL Logistics Limited (Miscellaneous Application 2273 of 2023) [2024] UGCommC 195 (8 July 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 2273 of 2023

Judge

Harriet Grace Magala, J

The High Court set aside a dismissal order and reinstated a commercial suit after finding the applicants had shown sufficient cause for non-appearance.

• Setting Aside Dismissal
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance
• Reinstatement Of Suit
• Court Discretion
• Costs In Cause
• Setting-aside-dismissal

Dr. Kisembo v Atorney General

Dr. Kisembo v Atorney General (Miscellaneous Application 160 of 2023) [2024] UGIC 10 (31 May 2024)

Court

Industrial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 160 of 2023

Judges

Wabwire Musana, J, Namara, Panel Member, Nabirye, Matovu

The Industrial Court set aside a dismissal after finding sufficient cause for nonappearance, based on counsel’s bereavement and the applicant’s illness.

• Reinstatement Of Dismissed Suit
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance
• Illness And Bereavement As Excuse
• Reinstatement-of-dismissed-suit
• Sufficient-cause-for-nonappearance
• Illness-and-bereavement

Butaleeba v Buuzabalyawo

Butaleeba v Buuzabalyawo (Civil Miscellaneous Application 59 of 2024) [2024] UGHC 690 (23 May 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Miscellaneous Application 59 of 2024

Judge

Oyuko Anthony Ojok, J

The court found that the applicant failed to prove sufficient cause for his non-appearance on 16th October, 2023. The explanation of mishearing the date was unsupported by any medical evidence or documentation, and the applicant did not take reasonable steps to confirm the hearing date with the court clerk. The reasons advanced regarding counsel's office closure and ill health were not substantiated with adequate details or documentation. The applicant's failure to file required documents and witness statements, despite repeated court directives, demonstrated a lack of vigilance and complianc…

Source excerpt

• Setting Aside Exparte Orders
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance
• Dilatory Conduct
• Land Disputes
• Court Attendance
• Procedural Timelines

Edirisa Kanonya and Another v Nsubuga and Others

Edirisa Kanonya and Another v Nsubuga and Others (Miscellaneous Application No. 373 of 2022) [2023] UGHC 39 (21 March 2023)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 373 of 2022

Judge

Nakachwa, J

The High Court of Uganda reinstated a dismissed application after finding counsel’s wrong hearing date should not be visited on the Applicants.

• Reinstatement Of Dismissed Application
• Joinder Of Parties
• Amendment Of Pleadings
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance
• Civil-procedure
• Reinstatement-of-dismissed-application

Makerere University Business School v Amolo and 19 Others

Makerere University Business School v Amolo and 19 Others (Miscellaneous Application 14 of 2022) [2023] UGIC 125 (16 January 2023)

Court

Industrial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 14 of 2022

Judges

Wabwire Musana, J, Namara, Panel Member, Nabirye, Matovu

The Industrial Court set aside an ex parte order against Makerere University Business School after accepting counsel’s compassionate explanation, but imposed strict case-management directions.

• Setting Aside Exparte Orders
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance
• Mistake Of Counsel
• Right To Fair Hearing
• Setting-aside-ex-parte-orders
• Sufficient-cause-nonappearance

Kayanja v Kayanja

Kayanja v Kayanja (Miscellaneous Application 897 of 2022) [2023] UGHCFD 48 (5 January 2023)

Court

HC: Family Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 897 of 2022

Judge

Katunguka Kitariisibwa, J

The High Court set aside ex parte divorce proceedings after finding sufficient cause based on counsel’s failure to notify the applicant, and ordered the case to proceed inter partes.

• Setting Aside Exparte Orders
• Divorce Proceedings
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance
• Setting-aside-ex-parte-order
• Divorce-proceedings
• Sufficient-cause

Lui Yan Hua v Kim Suk Young Kim

Lui Yan Hua v Kim Suk Young Kim (Miscellaneous Application No. 289 of 2021) [2022] UGHCCD 218 (1 November 2022)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 289 of 2021

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The High Court reinstated a suit dismissed for non-appearance, finding sufficient cause despite counsel’s dishonesty about the hearing time, and ordered costs against the applicant.

• Setting Aside Dismissal
• Reinstatement Of Suit
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance
• Civil-procedure
• Setting-aside-dismissal
• Reinstatement-of-suit

Ballore Transport and Logistics Limited v Tulsa Investment Limited

Ballore Transport and Logistics Limited v Tulsa Investment Limited (Miscellaneous Application No. 574 of 2021) [2022] UGCommC 73 (24 June 2022)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application No. 574 of 2021

Judge

Wabwire, J

The Respondent's affidavit in reply was struck off for being filed out of time without leave of Court, rendering the application unopposed. The Applicant demonstrated sufficient cause for nonappearance, primarily due to mistake of counsel who was engaged in another matter and was not informed of the adjourned date. Although the Applicant did not act with full diligence, the right to a fair hearing under Article 28 of the Constitution necessitated reinstatement of the suit. The dismissal order was set aside and the suit reinstated, with costs of the application awarded against the Applicant.

Source excerpt

• Setting Aside Dismissal
• Reinstatement Of Suit
• Sufficient Cause For Nonappearance