Uganda Case Law

Mss Xsabo Power Ltd v Uganda Registration Services Bureau & Registrar General/ Official Receiver

Mss Xsabo Power Ltd v Uganda Registration Services Bureau & Registrar General/ Official Receiver (Miscellaneous Cause 4 of 2024) [2025] UGHC 550 (15 July 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 4 of 2024

Judge

Oyuko Anthony Ojok, J

The court found that the Registrar General acted ultra vires in recalling the Assistant Registrar's ruling in Company Petition No. 5 of 2020, as Section 258(4) of the Companies Act does not confer such power. The functus officio doctrine applied, preventing the Registrar General from revisiting or nullifying the Assistant Registrar's decision once delivered. The process leading to the second ruling was illegal, irrational, and procedurally improper, particularly as it was delivered during the pendency of an injunctive order maintaining the status quo and without proper notification or hearing…

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• Judicial Review
• Functus Officio
• Ultra Vires
• Natural Justice
• Company Registrar Powers
• Injunctive Relief

Abaho and Another v Kampala Capital Authority and 2 Others (Misc Cause 125 of 2023)

Abaho and Another v Kampala Capital Authority and 2 Others (Misc Cause 125 of 2023) [2024] UGHCCD 101 (31 May 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Misc Cause 125 of 2023

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The High Court dismissed a judicial review application over Bugolobi market rent collection, holding it was premature under the Markets Act, 2023 transitional period.

• Judicial Review
• Public Body Decisions
• Market Management
• Allocation Committee
• Transitional Provisions
• Ultra Vires

Mabirizi v Deputy Speaker of Parliament & Another

Mabirizi v Deputy Speaker of Parliament & Another (Miscellaneous Cause 33 of 2023) [2024] UGHC 385 (31 May 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 33 of 2023

Judge

Lubega, J

The court found that the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient or direct interest to bring the action, as he is neither a member of parliament nor has he adduced evidence to prove he is a voter in the constituency of Hon. Zaake Francis. The principle of locus standi requires a direct or personal interest, not merely a general concern for governance or rule of law. The court also noted that the events giving rise to the application occurred in Parliament situated in Kampala, making the High Court at Kampala the appropriate forum. Consequently, the preliminary objection on locus standi dis…

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• Judicial Review
• Locus Standi
• Parliamentary Procedure
• Ultra Vires
• Fair Hearing

Bwengye v Electoral Commission (Misc Cause 352 of 2021)

Bwengye v Electoral Commission (Misc Cause 352 of 2021) [2024] UGHCCD 13 (16 January 2024)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Misc Cause 352 of 2021

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

The High Court dismissed a judicial review challenge to the Electoral Commission’s refusal to reserve a proposed political party name, symbols, slogan and colours.

• Judicial Review
• Public Authority Decision Making
• Natural Justice
• Ultra Vires
• Procedural Fairness
• Judicial-review

Kamya Turwomwe v Attorney General and Another (Misc Cause 209 of 2022)

Kamya Turwomwe v Attorney General and Another (Misc Cause 209 of 2022) [2023] UGHCCD 157 (31 May 2023)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Misc Cause 209 of 2022

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The court found that the recommendation by PAC-COSASE to investigate the applicant for allegedly initiating the supplementary budget was irrational and unsupported by the evidence. The applicant, as Minister of Lands, merely requested funds in response to Presidential and Attorney General directives, which was a lawful and justified administrative action. The process of supplementary budget approval involved Parliament's Adhoc Committee, which verified and recommended the payments. The committee's finding that the applicant 'kicked off' the supplementary budget was a material error of fact an…

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• Judicial Review
• Certiorari
• Procedural Impropriety
• Irrationality
• Natural Justice
• Ultra Vires

Chapter Four Uganda v National Bureau for Non Governmental Organisations

Chapter Four Uganda v National Bureau for Non Governmental Organisations (Miscellaneous Cause No. 292 of 2021) [2022] UGHCCD 80 (9 May 2022)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause No. 292 of 2021

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The High Court held that while the NGO Bureau had power to suspend a non-compliant organisation, an indefinite suspension without timeframe was irregular.

• Judicial Review
• Natural Justice
• Ultra Vires
• Procedural Fairness
• Statutory Interpretation
• Judicial-review

Male H. Mabirizi K.Kiwanuka v Attorney General of Uganda

Male H. Mabirizi K.Kiwanuka v Attorney General of Uganda (Miscellaneous Cause No. 194 of 2021) [2021] UGHCCD 58 (23 July 2021)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause No. 194 of 2021

Judge

Boniface Wamala, J

Judicial review challenge to Uganda’s June 2021 Covid-19 directives and Chief Justice’s circular failed; the High Court found both were lawful and dismissed the application.

• Judicial Review
• Ultra Vires
• Executive Powers
• Public Health Regulation
• Court Administration
• Judicial-review

Center for Public Interest Law Limited v Attorney General

Center for Public Interest Law Limited v Attorney General (MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 91 OF 2020) [2020] UGHCCD 202 (25 September 2020)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 91 OF 2020

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The court held that the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development acted ultra vires the Electricity Act, 1999 and existing laws by enacting the Electricity (Establishment and Management of the Rural Electrification Fund) Instrument, S.I. No. 62 of 2020 without meaningful public and private sector participation, consultation with key stakeholders, or Cabinet approval. The court found that the process was tainted by illegality, procedural impropriety, and irrationality, particularly in the exclusion of the Permanent Secretaries for Finance and Local Government and other stakeholders from the B…

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• Judicial Review
• Delegated Legislation
• Public Participation
• Legitimate Expectation
• Procedural Impropriety
• Ultra Vires

Attorney General v East Africa Gold Sniffing Company Ltd

Attorney General v East Africa Gold Sniffing Company Ltd (Civil Appeal No. 155 of 2013) [2020] UGCA 2049 (12 June 2020)

Court

Court of Appeal of Uganda

Case number

Civil Appeal No. 155 of 2013

Judge

Kakuru, JA, Madrama, JA, Kiryabwire, JA

The Court of Appeal dismissed the Attorney General’s appeal, upholding the High Court’s view that the company lacked standing to seek administrative review under the Mining Act.

• Judicial Review
• Locus Standi
• Ministerial Jurisdiction
• Ultra Vires
• Company Name Change
• Judicial-review

Mabirizi Kiwanuka v Attorney General

Mabirizi Kiwanuka v Attorney General (MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 239 OF 2019) [2020] UGHCCD 169 (10 June 2020)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 239 OF 2019

Judge

Mugambe, J

The court found that the Constitution (Recusal of Judicial Officers) (Practice) Directions, 2019, were enacted under the administrative powers of the Chief Justice as provided by Article 133(1)(b) of the Constitution. The applicant failed to demonstrate that the Directions were ultra vires, illegal, unreasonable, or irrational. The court held that the new recusal procedure, though different from previous practice, does not derogate from the right to a fair hearing, nor does it fetter the right of appeal. The Directions were necessary to streamline recusal applications and enhance the administ…

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• Judicial Review
• Ultra Vires
• Recusal Of Judicial Officers
• Fair Hearing
• Procedural Irregularity