Uganda Case Law

Abryanz Collection Ltd v Yasheen Ratanshi (Misc. Application No. 831 of 2025)

Abryanz Collection Ltd v Yasheen Ratanshi (Misc. Application No. 831 of 2025) [2025] UGCommC 131 (5 June 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Misc. Application No. 831 of 2025

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The Applicant failed to demonstrate any bona fide triable issue of fact or law that would warrant the grant of unconditional leave to appear and defend the summary suit. The tenancy agreement did not condition the obligation to pay rent on obtaining approvals from city authorities, and the Applicant continued to pay rent and remain in possession even after the premises were condemned. The Applicant's conduct, including proposals to purchase the property and continued payment of rent, evidenced awareness and acceptance of rental obligations. The court found the claim to be clear and liquidated…

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• Summary Procedure
• Tenancy Agreements
• Rent Arrears
• Vacant Possession
• Interest Awards
• Costs Of Suit

International Holdings Uganda Limited v Modern Coast Courier Ltd and Others

International Holdings Uganda Limited v Modern Coast Courier Ltd and Others (Civil Suit No. 1033 of 2023) [2025] UGCommC 91 (14 May 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit No. 1033 of 2023

Judge

Harriet Grace Magala, J

The court found that a valid tenancy agreement existed between the Plaintiff and the 1st and 2nd Defendants, with the 4th Defendant guaranteeing obligations. The Defendants breached the contract by failing to pay agreed rent, and their subsequent acknowledgment and dishonored cheques further evidenced liability. The Plaintiff proved its claim for special damages (rent arrears and legal fees) and was entitled to general damages for inconvenience and loss of business. Interest was awarded at 18% per annum on both special and general damages, reflecting compensation for deprivation and inflation…

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• Tenancy Agreements
• Breach Of Contract
• Rental Arrears
• Damages Assessment
• Interest Awards

Alvi Auto Village Limited v Shumuk Investment Limited & Another

Alvi Auto Village Limited v Shumuk Investment Limited & Another (Civil Suit 710 of 2022) [2025] UGCommC 41 (28 March 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 710 of 2022

Judge

Mutesi, J

The High Court found the 1st defendant breached two tenancy agreements and a memorandum of understanding, and misrepresented ownership of the land. The 2nd defendant was dismissed from the suit.

• Breach Of Contract
• Misrepresentation
• Tenancy Agreements
• Special And General Damages
• Land Ownership Disputes
• Breach-of-contract

Ssenyondo v Tesco Industries Limited

Ssenyondo v Tesco Industries Limited (Miscellaneous Application 2703 of 2024) [2025] UGCommC 20 (7 February 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 2703 of 2024

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The High Court dismissed an application for discovery of bank statements and rental tax returns, finding the request too broad, speculative, and intrusive of privacy.

• Discovery Of Documents
• Tenancy Agreements
• Bank Statement Disclosure
• Tax Return Production
• Privacy And Confidentiality
• Discovery-of-documents

Ssenyondo v Tesco Industries Limited

Ssenyondo v Tesco Industries Limited (Miscellaneous Application 2703 of 2024) [2025] UGCommC 46 (7 February 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 2703 of 2024

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The Court found that the Applicant's request for broad discovery of bank statements and rental tax returns was not sufficiently specific or justified by the material issues in the main suit. The Applicant already possessed deposit slips and receipts relevant to his claim, and the documents sought were primarily for comparative purposes, not essential to the resolution of the dispute. Granting the order would risk violating the privacy and confidentiality rights of other tenants and the Respondent, as protected under Article 27(2) of the Constitution. The Court held that discovery should not b…

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• Discovery Of Documents
• Tenancy Agreements
• Privacy And Confidentiality
• Burden Of Proof

Lwanga and Another v Muzira

Lwanga and Another v Muzira (Civil Appeal 104 of 2017) [2024] UGHCCD 208 (19 December 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Appeal 104 of 2017

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The High Court dismissed an appeal in a distress-for-rent dispute, upholding the finding that the tenancy had ended and the appellants failed to prove arrears.

• Landlord Tenant Disputes
• Distress For Rent
• Tenancy Agreements
• Rent Arrears
• Distress-for-rent
• Rent-arrears

Forte Concrete Limited v Muwanga and Another

Forte Concrete Limited v Muwanga and Another (Civil Appeal 53 of 2023) [2024] UGHCCD 166 (25 October 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Appeal 53 of 2023

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court held that the respondents, as beneficiaries of the estate of the late landlord, had locus standi to sue for recovery of the property to protect the estate, even without letters of administration, as the appellant's continued occupation after expiry of the fixed-term tenancy endangered the estate. The tenancy agreement was for a fixed term of five years, expiring by effluxion of time on 30th April 2023, and the twelve months' notice provision applied only to premature termination, not to expiry. The appellant could not invoke the notice clause after the tenancy had lapsed, and t…

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• Tenancy Agreements
• Locus Standi
• Fixed Term Tenancy
• Notice Of Termination
• Succession And Estates
• Application Of Statutes

Semakula v Gabura

Semakula v Gabura (Civil Revision 4 of 2023) [2024] UGCommC 235 (5 August 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Revision 4 of 2023

Judge

Harriet Grace Magala, J

The High Court revised a small claims ruling, held the rent-arrears claim was within jurisdiction, set aside the magistrate’s decision, and ordered payment.

• Small Claims Jurisdiction
• Tenancy Agreements
• Rent Arrears Recovery
• Landlord Rights
• Magistrate Court Revision
• Small-claims-procedure

Micro-Haem Scientifics & Medical Supplies Limited v Babirye

Micro-Haem Scientifics & Medical Supplies Limited v Babirye (Miscellaneous Application 625 of 2024) [2024] UGCommC 222 (10 July 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 625 of 2024

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The Applicant failed to adduce any evidence of a written agreement or addendum permitting the offset of structural alteration costs against rent, as required by Clause 5(i) of the Tenancy Agreement and Sections 91 and 92 of the Evidence Act. The alleged meetings and consent by the Respondent were not substantiated by documentary evidence. The tenancy agreement clearly placed the obligation for repairs and alterations on the landlord, and any deductions from rent required written agreement. The Applicant's defence was found to be unsupported, vague, and not raising any bona fide triable issue…

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• Summary Procedure
• Tenancy Agreements
• Rent Arrears
• Structural Alterations
• Vacant Possession

God is Able Graphic Designers & Suppliers Limited v Damanico Properties Limited

God is Able Graphic Designers & Suppliers Limited v Damanico Properties Limited (Civil Suit 306 of 2021) [2024] UGCommC 225 (19 June 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 306 of 2021

Judge

Stephen Mubiru, J

Commercial tenancy dispute over rent arrears and wrongful detention of goods. The court held the tenant breached the lease, but also awarded the tenant damages for wrongful retention of property, then set off the claims.

• Tenancy Agreements
• Breach Of Contract
• Arrears Of Rent
• Unlawful Eviction
• Distress For Rent
• Damages And Set Off