Uganda Case Law

Enen Okello Richard v Lira University Council

Enen Okello Richard v Lira University Council (Miscellaneous Cause No. 23 of 2022) [2025] UGHC 328 (8 May 2025)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause No. 23 of 2022

Judge

Okello, J

The High Court held that judicial review under section 57(3) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act is confined to reviewing the decision and process of the University Staff Tribunal, not the underlying decisions of the Appointments Board or Top Management. Since the applicant did not challenge the Tribunal's process or decision, but instead sought to re-litigate issues already determined by the Tribunal or raise new matters not previously presented, the application was misconceived. The court further held that naming Lira University Council instead of Lira University was a m…

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• Judicial Review
• University Staff Discipline
• Procedural Fairness
• Misnomer In Pleadings
• Timeliness Of Application

Ssemakula v Gulu University

Ssemakula v Gulu University (Miscellaneous Cause 2 of 2024) [2024] UGHC 374 (27 May 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 2 of 2024

Judge

Okello, J

The High Court struck out a judicial review challenge to Gulu University’s dismissal decision, holding that the applicant had not first exhausted the statutory appeal to the Staff Tribunal.

• Judicial Review
• Exhaustion Of Remedies
• Public Body Dismissal
• Fair Hearing
• University Staff Discipline
• Judicial-review

Ssemakula v Gulu University

Ssemakula v Gulu University (Miscellaneous Cause 1 of 2024) [2024] UGHC 377 (27 May 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Cause 1 of 2024

Judge

Okello, J

The High Court held that Gulu University’s interdiction of a dean was a public law act amenable to judicial review, but dismissed the case as moot after his dismissal.

• Judicial Review
• Interdiction Of Public Officer
• Public Vs Private Law Distinction
• Mootness Doctrine
• University Staff Discipline
• Judicial-review

Prof. Basheka v Kabale University

Prof. Basheka v Kabale University (Miscellaneous Application 27 of 2023) [2024] UGHC 160 (25 January 2024)

Court

High Court of Uganda

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 27 of 2023

Judge

Emokor, J

The court found that the Applicant had exhausted all internal remedies available within the Respondent institution, as the University Staff Tribunal had rendered a decision on all grounds of appeal. The Appointments Board's disciplinary proceedings were within its mandate under Section 50(3) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, as the process did not contemplate removal from office, which would require Council action under Section 55. However, the court held that the Applicant was denied a fair hearing due to the Board's refusal to grant an adjournment despite sufficient c…

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• Judicial Review
• University Staff Discipline
• Right To Fair Hearing
• Conflict Of Interest
• Internal Remedies Exhaustion

Asiimwe v Makerere University

Asiimwe v Makerere University (Miscellaneous Application 163 of 2022) [2023] UGHCCD 409 (4 August 2023)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Miscellaneous Application 163 of 2022

Judge

Baguma, J

The court found that both the Appointments Board and Staff Appeals Tribunal provided the Applicant with adequate opportunity to be heard, including legal representation and time to prepare submissions. The evidence showed that hearing notices were served and the Applicant was aware of the proceedings. The Tribunal considered all arguments and evidence from both parties and acted within its statutory mandate. The delay in delivering the ruling, while not ideal, did not amount to a nullity in the absence of demonstrated prejudice. The court concluded that the decision-making process was fair, l…

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• Judicial Review
• Fair Hearing
• Natural Justice
• University Staff Discipline
• Procedural Impropriety

Dr. Barugahare v Makerere University and 3 Others (Misc Cause No. 147 of 2020)

Dr. Barugahare v Makerere University and 3 Others (Misc Cause No. 147 of 2020) [2022] UGHCCD 195 (30 September 2022)

Court

HC: Civil Division (Uganda)

Case number

Misc Cause No. 147 of 2020

Judge

Musa Ssekaana, J

The court held that the applicant, as a member of staff of Makerere University, had an available and mandatory alternative remedy under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, specifically the right to appeal to the University Staff Tribunal against disciplinary decisions. Judicial review is a remedy of last resort and is not available where a statutory appeal process exists and has not been exhausted. The applicant's failure to utilize the internal dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Staff Tribunal, rendered the application for judicial review incompetent and premature…

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• Judicial Review
• Exhaustion Of Remedies
• University Staff Discipline
• Statutory Appeals
• Constructive Dismissal

Owor Arthur and Others v Gulu University

Owor Arthur and Others v Gulu University [2007] UGHC 39 (29 November 2007)

Court

High Court of Uganda

The High Court quashed Gulu University’s termination of teaching assistants for breach of natural justice and lack of authority, and awarded arrears and costs.

• Judicial Review
• Termination Of Employment
• Natural Justice
• Public Service Employment
• University Staff Discipline
• Judicial-review