The unforgettable court cases of 2020

Since the year started, so much water has gone through the Judiciary bridge. In this report, we look back at the key court cases that ruled 2020.

Attorney General, EC run to court to save ousted MPs

Barely five days after the Constitutional Court annulled the election of six Members of Parliament, the Attorney General (AG) filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking to have the judgment overturned.

Cryptocurrency firm boss faces sh100b court case
  
Eight people dragged the embattled Global Cryptocurrencies Limited to the High Court, demanding sh100b in damages. The eight people said they were representing thousands of others, who were reportedly conned by the company directors of over sh10b.

Bitangaro remanded to Luzira over sh3b

Former minister Sam Kwizera Bitangaro and three others, including a director in the gender ministry, were remanded to Luzira Prisons after they were charged with seven counts relating to obtaining money by false pretense.

Kayunga Imam meets ‘bride’ in court

Imam

Mohammed Mutumba, the embattled Imam of Kyampisi Masijid Noor Mosque in Kayunga district, faced off with his ‘bride’ Richard Tumushabe aka Shabullah Nabukeera, in court.

Mukulu, Judge clash

Jamil Mukulu

 

During the hearing of his bail application, former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel leader Jamil Mukulu had a bitter exchange with Justice Susan Okalany in broad daylight.

Court Dismisses attempts to block sh20b Mpokya forest compensation

The High Court dismissed an application in which a group of people wanted to block the sh20b compensation to 14 claimants evicted in 1992 from Mpokya Forest Reserve in Kibaale district.

Court dismisses Justice Choudry defamation case

Court ordered retired judge Anup Singh Choudry to pay costs after losing a defamation case against the officials of the Sikh Association of Uganda.

Mabirizi withdraws age limit appeal

Mabirizi

Controversial lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi withdrew an application in which he wanted the Supreme Court to set aside the majority judgment in the age limit case.

Court blocks sh142b Basajja fraud trial

Basajjabalaba

The Supreme Court has temporarily stopped the prosecution of businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba in regard to the sh142b compensation he acquired from Government for several city markets.

Court blocks UPC delegates conference

The Court of Appeal stayed Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) delegates conference pending determination of the main case.

Mukulu’s bid for temporary freedom dismissed

Former Allied for Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel leader Jamil Mukulu’s bid for temporary freedom, pending trial, has been dismissed.

Court orders on businessman Kiggundu’s properties

Hamis Kiggundu

The Commercial Division of the High Court in Kampala issued an order restraining Diamond Trust Bank Uganda and its sister company in Kenya from interfering with commercial properties belonging to Kampala businessman Hamis Kiggundu.

Court issues criminal summons to Dodoviko

Dodoviko

 
The Makindye Chief Magistrate issued criminal summons against Ndeeba businessman Dodoviko Mwanje alias Dodo Owiny and a senior Police officer to appear in court in connection with the demolition of St Peter’s Church.

Dodoviko charged over demolition of Ndeeba church

The demolished Ndeeba Church

Dodoviko Mwanje, a businessman alleged to have been behind the demolition of St Peter’s Church in Ndeeba, Kampala, was charged and remanded to Kitalya Prison.

Law firm disowns lawyer in Kibalama case

In a twist of events, Barungi Baingana and Company Advocates distanced itself from a case in which two people petitioned court, seeking deregistration of the National Unity Platform (NUP). 

NUP case dismissed

Kibalama

The High Court in Kampala dismissed with costs a case in which two people - Difas Basile and Hassan Twala had sued National Unity Platform (NUP), seeking the deregistration of the party following its change of name and ownership.

Court orders CMI to unconditionally release ISO operative

Court directed the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) to unconditionally release Simon Peter Odongo, an Internal Security Organisation (ISO) operative, currently in their custody.

Court gives Kato Lubwama 14-day ultimatum in academic papers case

Kato Lubwama

Court gave a 14-day ultimatum to Rubaga South MP Paul Kato Lubwama to challenge a ruling giving leeway to a voter to file an election petition against him out of the stipulated time in the Parliamentary Elections Act. 

Case to block Cosase probe dismissed

The High Court dismissed a bid by three businessmen to block a parliamentary probe into the departed Asians properties.

City tycoon Karim Hirji refunds money stolen from govt 

Kampala city tycoon Karim Hirji refunded money stolen from the Government, following investigations into the Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board fraud involving top officials.

Regional court asked to quash Ham’s victory against DTB Bank

The East African Court of Justice was petitioned to quash the ruling in a sh41b loan dispute between Diamond Trust Bank Kenya (DTBKenya) and businessman Hamis Kiggundu aka Ham.

Court clears Asiimwe for Rwampara Woman MP seat

Molly Asiimwe, who was declared winner in the recently concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries for Rwampara district Woman MP, was cleared by the Mbarara High Court to run as the official party flag-bearer.

Government engineer, wife on trial over illicit wealth
 
A Government engineer and his wife are facing charges of illicit enrichment, worth sh6.2b and money laundering.

Kanyamunyu sentenced to 5 years in prison

Matthew Kanyamunyu

Matthew Kanyamunyu pleaded guilty to the killing of social worker Kenneth Akena. High Court Judge Steven Mubiru sentenced him to five years and one month in jail.

New rental rates challenged in court 

A non-governmental organisation petitioned court seeking to block enforcement of the new income tax rental rates regulations 2020 that is contained in statutory instrument no.42 of 2020.

Court nullifies Akena’s UPC presidency, orders fresh elections

Jimmy Akena

 
The appellate court nullified James Michael Akena’s Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) presidency and ordered fresh elections.

Rukutana charged, remanded to prison

Rukutana

 
State minister for labour Mwesigwa Rukutana was charged in court and remanded to Mbarara Central Government Prison, Kakika.

Rukutana fails to secure bail

The bid by the labour state minister, Mwesigwa Rukutana, to secure bail was dashed after the Chief Magistrate, Sarah Mponye Kolya, sent him back to jail, saying she needed time to study his bail application before making a ruling.

Court stops bank from transferring ownership of Mayflowers apartments
 
The High Court in Kampala stopped Housing Finance Bank from transferring ownership of the estate of the late Samwiri Mishambi Kwesiga, valued at sh30b, managed by Ida May Kwesiga, to Balaji Group Ltd.

Kanyamunyu opts for Acholi justice system

Despite denying having killed child rights activist Kenneth Akena Watmon before court, businessman Matthew Kanyamunyu has ‘apologised’ to his family.

Court dismisses suit blocking NRM primaries

Court has dismissed with costs an application in which lawyer Jackson Ntwatwa sought to block the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries.

Court declines to summon CID chief

The High Court in Kampala dismissed an application in which presidential aspirant Lt. Gen. (rtd) Henry Tumukunde lawyers had asked court to summon the director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Grace Akullo, to be cross-examined over her affidavit.