Uganda Case Law

The Microfinance Support Centre Ltd v Kurbstone Investment (U) Limited

The Microfinance Support Centre Ltd v Kurbstone Investment (U) Limited (Civil Suit No. 0388 of 2024) [2025] UGCommC 122 (5 June 2025)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit No. 0388 of 2024

Judge

Susan Odongo, J

The court found that the tenancy agreement contained clear and effective dispute resolution clauses, with one clause mandating that disputes not resolved amicably must be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, Cap 4. The parties attempted amicable resolution but failed, triggering the obligation to arbitrate. The court distinguished the present case from Attorney General v. Networth Consults Ltd., holding that the arbitration agreement was not ambiguous or incapable of being performed. Pursuant to section 5(1) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act,…

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• Arbitration Agreement
• Jurisdiction Of Court
• Tenancy Disputes
• Alternative Dispute Resolution

Lwanga and Another v Muzira

Lwanga and Another v Muzira (Civil Appeal 104 of 2017) [2024] UGHCCD 204 (19 December 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Appeal 104 of 2017

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The High Court upheld the dismissal of a distress-for-rent claim, finding the appellants did not prove the tenancy continued beyond December 2014 or that rent arrears were due.

• Distress For Rent
• Tenancy Disputes
• Rent Arrears
• Eviction Orders
• Distress-for-rent
• Tenancy-disputes

Dabule v Golden Leaves (U) Limited and 2 Others

Dabule v Golden Leaves (U) Limited and 2 Others (Civil Suit 215 of 2020) [2024] UGHCCD 178 (31 October 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Civil Suit 215 of 2020

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The court found that the plaintiff's evidence regarding the alleged rent arrears was materially contradictory and unreliable. The plaintiff failed to provide sufficient, credible evidence to establish the period and amount of unpaid rent, as his testimony conflicted with the receipts produced and with his own pleadings. The court held that mere absence of a defence does not entitle a plaintiff to judgment where the plaintiff's evidence lacks credibility. Additionally, the court determined that the 2nd defendant was a non-existent party and struck her from the suit. On the issue of personal li…

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• Tenancy Disputes
• Rent Arrears
• Corporate Veil
• Party Capacity

Nabiteko and Another v Ssenoga and Another

Nabiteko and Another v Ssenoga and Another (Civil Suit 674 of 2021) [2024] UGCommC 381 (28 August 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 674 of 2021

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The High Court held that the 1st plaintiff lawfully acquired the shop’s goodwill and tenancy, found the 2nd defendant was a sub-tenant, and dismissed the counterclaim.

• Contractual Goodwill
• Tenancy Disputes
• Privity Of Contract
• Trespass To Goods
• Detinue And Conversion
• Remedies And Damages

Nabiteko & Another v Ssenoga & Another

Nabiteko & Another v Ssenoga & Another (Civil Suit 674 of 2021) [2024] UGCommC 307 (28 August 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Suit 674 of 2021

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The High Court held that the 1st Plaintiff lawfully acquired the shop goodwill and tenancy, awarded UGX 983,000 on goods, and dismissed the Counterclaim.

• Contract Breach
• Goodwill Transfer
• Tenancy Disputes
• Privity Of Contract
• Trespass To Goods
• Conversion And Detinue

Rubeihayo v Magoba

Rubeihayo v Magoba (Miscellaneous Application 623 of 2021) [2024] UGHCCD 91 (31 May 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 623 of 2021

Judge

Baguma, J

The High Court dismissed a revision application challenging a magistrate’s certificate for distress for rent, holding the magistrate had jurisdiction under the Distress for Rent Act.

• Jurisdiction Of Magistrates
• Distress For Rent
• Right To Be Heard
• Pecuniary Limits
• Tenancy Disputes
• Distress-for-rent

Red Stone Training Institute Limited v Sebugwawo

Red Stone Training Institute Limited v Sebugwawo (Miscellaneous Application 195 of 2024) [2024] UGCommC 175 (25 April 2024)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 195 of 2024

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The court found that the Applicant failed to raise any bona fide triable issue of fact or law to warrant the grant of leave to appear and defend the summary suit. The Applicant admitted to owing rent arrears for the period after the tenancy agreement expired and did not contest the arrears when specifically mentioned in correspondence. The Applicant's argument that the claim was based on a non-existing contract was rejected, as occupation and partial payment after expiry implied liability for rent. The court held that the Applicant's defenses were not genuine and amounted to mere denials or s…

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• Summary Procedure
• Leave To Defend
• Tenancy Disputes
• Eviction
• Rent Arrears

Kabaale & Another v Edhiruma

Kabaale & Another v Edhiruma (Civil Appeal 15 of 2023) [2024] UGHC 175 (16 April 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal 15 of 2023

Judge

Batema, J

The High Court allowed a land appeal, cancelled the respondent’s leasehold title, and held that rent arrears were not payable because the respondent lacked lawful title.

• Lease Expiry
• Repossession Certificates
• Registration Of Titles
• Tenancy Disputes
• Powers Of Attorney
• Land Board Procedure

Jjunju and Another v Zalwango and Another

Jjunju and Another v Zalwango and Another (Miscellaneous Application 2639 of 2023) [2023] UGHCLD 387 (31 October 2023)

Court

HC: Land Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 2639 of 2023

Judge

Naluzze Aisha Batala, J

The High Court Land Division struck out a defence and counterclaim because they had been served unsigned and unsealed, treating the pleadings as defective and non-existent.

• Striking Out Pleadings
• Validity Of Written Statement Of Defence
• Court Seal And Signature Requirements
• Electronic Filing Procedure
• Tenancy Disputes
• Civil-procedure

The Capital Times Limited v Kakyomya

The Capital Times Limited v Kakyomya (Miscellaneous Application 2141 of 2023) [2023] UGCommC 142 (24 October 2023)

Court

Commercial Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 2141 of 2023

Judge

Tumusiime Rubagumya, J

The court found that the Applicant had raised bona fide triable issues regarding the amount of rent arrears, the payment of rent, and the circumstances of eviction. There were inconsistencies in the amounts claimed by the Respondent across related suits, and factual disputes about whether rent had been paid and the calculation of arrears. The Applicant provided evidence of payments and challenged the Respondent's claims, which could not be reconciled without a full trial. The court held that these disputes warranted granting unconditional leave to appear and defend. Additionally, the existenc…

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• Summary Procedure
• Leave To Defend
• Tenancy Disputes
• Rent Arrears
• Eviction
• Consolidation Of Suits