Court of Appeal to hear 30 civil cases in two-day Jinja session

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The Court of Appeal sitting in Jinja is set to dispose of at least 30 civil cases during a two-day session, with land disputes dominating the cause list.

The two-day session, which opened on Monday, May 25, 2026, is being presided over by a panel comprising Justice Godfrey Kiryabwire as the lead judge, Justice Irene Mulyagonja and Justice Asa Mugenyi.

Justice Godfrey Kiryabwire the lead judge at the court of appeal inspecting the guard of honor at the Jinja zonal court. (Credit: Doreen Musingo)

According to the official cause list, the session will handle a wide range of appeals, including land conflicts, breach of contract, property disputes, divorce, recovery of money, general damages and administrative matters.

A number of the appeals stem from long-standing land wrangles in eastern Uganda and other parts of the country, reflecting the increasing burden placed on courts to resolve ownership and inheritance disputes.

Among the notable cases before court is an appeal filed by the late Mathias Lwanga Kaganda against the former Uganda Electricity Board over claims of special damages and alleged breach of an easement agreement, as well as a divorce appeal involving Davis Kutosi and Sarah Kutosi Makwasi.

Other cases include disputes concerning letters of administration and recovery of money allegedly owed between individuals and institutions, including a matter involving Namutumba District Local Government and another involving Jamada Mpyanga.

While opening the session, Justice Godfrey Kiryabwire said the regional Court of Appeal sittings are intended to bring appellate justice closer to people outside Kampala while also helping to reduce case backlog.

He said the session is expected to improve access to justice for residents in the Busoga sub-region and neighbouring districts who would otherwise travel long distances to Kampala for appellate hearings.

“Most people can’t trek all the way to Kampala, which is too costly; our being here is bringing the services closer to people and also see how best stakeholders help,” he said.

During the session, Justice Kiryabwire also advised Antony Kaganda, the son of the late Mathias Lwanga Kaganda, to seek proper legal guidance before proceeding with the appeal.

Justice Kiryabwire said the court had consolidated the cases involving special damages and breach of an easement agreement. He advised Kaganda, who lacked legal representation, to get a lawyer for proper representation and file submissions within one month, by June 25, 2026.

“If you’re ready to proceed with the case, the panel of judges has granted you a period of one month to get an attorney who will represent your interests by making submissions in court before judgment,” he advised.

Most petitioners are represented by private law firms, while some parties receive legal assistance through the Uganda Law Society. Others appeared without lawyers.