Court gives cohabiting couples right to property on separation

“The fact that the appellant (Kabuye) may not have made a substantial financial contribution does not deny him his right to benefit from the property acquired during the relationship,” Justice Alividza ruled. 

Kabuye cohabited with Nanyonga from 1998 until 2018, when they separated. In handling property disputes between cohabiting couples, Justice Alvidza said the courts only require evidence of direct or indirect contributions to property acquisition, with longer cohabitation and children potentially implying a constructive marriage.