Mulago Hill Diagnostics Limited v Lydia Turyahumura and Others (Miscellaneous Application No. 2221 of 2025)
Observed later treatment
No later-treatment classification is recorded for this judgment.
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Holding
The High Court granted leave to add the third respondent as a defendant in the main suit and to amend the plaint accordingly, finding that the third respondent had purchased land subject to the dispute and his presence was necessary for effective adjudication. The court overruled a preliminary objection that the applicant's director lacked authority to swear the affidavit, holding that proof of directorship is not required unless contested. The court declined to allow amendment to add new claims not specifically prayed for in the application.
Outcome
Application granted in part — third respondent to be added as defendant and plaint to be amended to reflect this addition; application to add new substantive claims dismissed
Facts
The applicant claimed to be the equitable owner of land at Mulago (Block 29, Plots 1128 and 1129) and alleged that an access road to its garage was unlawfully enclosed by the first and second respondents in 2018, prompting Civil Suit 856 of 2018. After the suit was filed, the first and second respondents (administrators of an estate) transferred the neighboring land (Block 29, Plots 1126 and 1127, formerly Plot 92) to the third respondent on 25 November 2024. The applicant sought to add the third respondent as a defendant and to amend the plaint to include claims of adverse possession and exclusive use of the access road. The third respondent raised a preliminary objection that the applicant's director had not proven his authority to swear the affidavit in support.
Issues
- Whether the Applicant should be granted leave to add the 3rd Respondent as a Defendant in Civil Suit No. 856 of 2018.
- Whether the Applicant should be granted leave to amend the plaint in Civil Suit No. 856 of 2018 to reflect the 3rd Respondent as a Defendant.
Orders
- The Applicant is granted leave to add the 3rd Respondent as a Defendant in Civil Suit No. 856 of 2018.
- The Applicant is granted leave to amend the plaint in Civil Suit No. 856 of 2018 to reflect the 3rd Respondent as the 3rd Defendant.
- The Applicant is not granted leave by this Court to amend the plaint to include material claims which the Applicant claims were left out of the original plaint by its previous lawyers.
- The Applicant/Plaintiff shall file an amended Plaint in court and serve the same on all the Defendants by 20th May, 2026.
- The Plaintiff and Defendants shall observe the time lines for filing their respective pleadings as provided for in the Civil Procedure Rules.
- The costs shall abide the outcome of the main suit.
Rules and key headnotes
Legislation cited (11)
- Constitution of Uganda Article 126(2)(e)
- Civil Procedure Act Cap 282 s.6
- Civil Procedure Act Cap 282 s.98
- Judicature Act Cap 16 s.37
- Civil Procedure Rules SI 71-1 Order 1 Rule 3
- Civil Procedure Rules SI 71-1 Order 1 Rule 10(2)
- Civil Procedure Rules SI 71-1 Order 1 Rule 13
- Civil Procedure Rules SI 71-1 Order 29 Rule 1
- Civil Procedure Rules SI 71-1 Order 52 Rule 1
- Civil Procedure Rules SI 71-1 Order 52 Rule 2
- Civil Procedure Rules SI 71-1 Order 52 Rule 3
Cases cited (9)
- Lena Nakalema Binaisa and 3 Others v Mucunguzi Myers (High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 460 of 2013)
- Black Market Records v Mainga Sulaiman and 3 Others (Miscellaneous Application No. 2788 of 2023)
- MHK Engineering Services (U) Ltd v MacDowell Ltd (High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 825 of 2018)
- Alisen Foundation Group of Companies Limited v Bazara (High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 54 of 2023)
- Mutebi v Nam Chhau Trading Co. Ltd (Miscellaneous Civil Application No. 4 of 2020)
- Nabukenya Sarah and Others v Sulaiman Mukasa & Sons Ltd and 5 Others (High Court Miscellaneous Application Nos. 193 and 231 of 2022)
- Samson Sempasa v P.K. Sengendo (High Court Miscellaneous Application No. 577 of 2013)
- Gaso Transport Services (Bus) Ltd Vs. Oben [17990-7994] EA, 8
- Departed Asians Property Custodian Board v Jaffer Brothers (Supreme Court Civil Appeal No. 9 of 1998)
Full judgment
The original judgment as reported. Read the original PDF before relying on any passage.