Wakilii

Kampala Industries & Infrastructure Development Limited v Ceva International Ltd (Formerly Ami Africa (U) Ltd) (Miscellaneous Application No. 192 of 2025)

High Court · [2026] UGCOMMC 151 Application Dismissed AI-generated summary ↓ Download Pin to watchlist Add to matter
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Type
Application for stay of execution pending appeal from High Court Commercial Division judgment
Decision
Application for stay of execution dismissed as premature

Observed later treatment

No later-treatment classification is recorded for this judgment.

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AI-generated summary. This summary was generated by AI from the full text of the judgment. It may contain errors or omissions—always read the source judgment before relying on it.

Holding

The High Court dismissed an application for stay of execution as premature. The applicant sought to stay enforcement of a USD 180,408 judgment pending appeal, but failed to provide evidence that the respondent had commenced or threatened execution proceedings. The court held that without proof of actual or imminent execution steps under section 38 of the Civil Procedure Act and Order 22 of the Civil Procedure Rules, the application was hypothetical and could not be entertained. Courts will not order a stay where no application for execution has been filed or approved.

Outcome

Application for stay of execution dismissed as premature

Facts

The applicant was defendant in Civil Suit No. 01/2022, in which judgment was entered against it on 10 January 2025 ordering payment of USD 180,408 and UGX 989,052 plus interest and costs. The applicant filed a notice of appeal and then brought this application for stay of execution, arguing that enforcement would extinguish its operations and render the appeal nugatory. The applicant stated willingness to furnish security. The respondent opposed, stating it had not commenced any execution proceedings, the application was premature, and the applicant had not furnished security or demonstrated irreparable loss. Neither the respondent nor counsel appeared at the hearing, but written submissions were filed.

Issues

  1. Whether this application raises sufficient grounds for an order of stay of execution?
  2. Whether security for costs should be paid by the applicants?
  3. Whether the parties have remedies available to them?

Orders

  • Application dismissed.
  • Costs awarded to the respondent.

Rules and key headnotes

Civil Procedure — Stay of Execution — Prematurity — Requirement of Actual or Imminent Execution Proceedings
An application for stay of execution is premature and will be dismissed where the applicant fails to adduce evidence that the decree holder has taken any steps towards execution or that execution proceedings are imminent, as one of the conditions for granting stay is proof of serious or imminent threat of execution.
Civil Procedure — Stay of Execution — Evidence Requirements — Section 38 Civil Procedure Act and Order 22 Civil Procedure Rules
Before a court will entertain an application for stay of execution, the applicant must demonstrate or attach evidence of existing execution proceedings commenced by the respondent as required under section 38 of the Civil Procedure Act and Order 22 of the Civil Procedure Rules; courts should not order a stay where there is no evidence of any application for execution of the decree.
Civil Procedure — Hypothetical Questions — Justiciability — Courts Will Not Decide Abstract or Speculative Matters
A court of law will not adjudicate hypothetical questions, a case in abstract, or purely academic or speculative matters where there are no underlying facts in dispute; an application for stay of execution brought before any execution steps have been taken by the decree holder is hypothetical and will not be entertained.

Legislation cited (7)

Cases cited (5)

  • Lawrence Musiitwa v Eunice Busingye (Supreme Court Civil Appeal No. 18 of 1990)
  • Kyambogo University v Prof. Isaiah Omolo Ndiege (Civil Application No. 341 of 2013)
  • Legal Brains Trust v Attorney General of Uganda (East Africa Court of Justice Appeal No. 4 of 2012)
  • Baguma Paul T/A Panache Associates v Eng. Karuma Kagyina (Civil Miscellaneous Application No. 460 of 2020)
  • Orient Bank Ltd v Zaabwe & others (Miscellaneous Application No. 19 of 2007)

Full judgment

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The original judgment as reported. Read the original PDF before relying on any passage.

Kampala Industries & Infrastructure Development Limited v Ceva International Ltd (Formerly Ami Africa (U) Ltd) (Miscellaneous Application No. 192 of 2025) [2026] UGCommC 151 (23 Ma
Source: this page presents Wakilii’s issue analysis and metadata for a publicly reported Ugandan judgment. Any AI-generated summary is marked as such. Judgment text is sourced from the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ulii.org). Wakilii is not affiliated with ULII.