[2021] UGHCLD 65
The application to reinstate Civil Suit No.459 of 2011 was struck out because the Civil Procedure Rules do not provide for reinstatement of a suit dismissed for want of prosecution under Order 17 Rule 6 (1). The proper remedy for the applicant is to file a fresh suit as per Order 17 Rule 6 (2). Additionally, the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] UGHCLD 65
- Parties
- Applicant: Aijuka Hellen; Respondent: Katuramu Julius; Respondent: FINA Bank (U) Limited
- Court
- HC: Land Division (Uganda)
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Case Number
- Civil Miscellaneous Application No. 1987 of 2019
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
- Outcome
- application_struck_out
- Judges
- Nkonge, J
- Legal Topics
- Dismissal for Want of Prosecution, Reinstatement of Suit, Service of Process, Extension of Time
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Aijuka Hellen
Applicant
Katuramu Julius
Respondent
FINA Bank (U) Limited
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the High Court has jurisdiction to reinstate a suit dismissed for want of prosecution under Order 17 Rule 6 (1) of the Civil Procedure Rules.
- 2 Whether the applicant complied with procedural requirements for service of process and extension of time under the Civil Procedure Rules.
Ratio Decidendi
The application to reinstate Civil Suit No.459 of 2011 was struck out because the Civil Procedure Rules do not provide for reinstatement of a suit dismissed for want of prosecution under Order 17 Rule 6 (1). The proper remedy for the applicant is to file a fresh suit as per Order 17 Rule 6 (2). Additionally, the applicant failed to comply with procedural requirements for timely service of summons and did not seek leave to extend the period for service, rendering the application improperly before the court. There was no evidence of service on the 1st respondent, and no rejoinder was filed by the applicant. The court found no basis to exercise inherent powers to reinstate the suit and...
Court Disposition
application_struck_out
Orders
- The application is struck off with costs to the 2nd respondent.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
34 paragraphs
## THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
## IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA
### (LAND DIVISION)
# MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATION NO. 1987 OF 2019
(Arising out of Civil Suit No.459 OF 2011)
AIJUKA HELLEN::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
#### **VERSUS**
### 1. KATURAMU JULIUS
$\mathsf{S}$
2. FINA BANK (U) LIMITED ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Before Hon. Lady Justice Alexandra Nkonge. 10
#### Ruling.
This is an application brought by Notice of Motion to reinstate *High* Court Civil Suit No.459 of 2011 between the applicant as plaintiff and Katuramu Julius and FINA Bank (U) Ltd as the defendants and an order for costs.
The suit was dismissed on 21<sup>st</sup> May, 2019 for want of prosecution. The court record indicates that the last action taken before the dismissal was on $5$ <sup>th</sup> May, 2015.
Under Order 17 rule 6 (1) of the Civil Procedure Rules S. I 71-1
under which this suit had been dismissed, where no application is made 20

or step taken for a period of two years by either party with a view to proceeding with the suit, the court may order the suit to be dismissed.
$\mathcal{L}^{\mathcal{A}}$
$\mathcal{L}^{\mathcal{A}}_{\mathcal{A}}(\mathcal{A})$
$\mathsf{S}$
This application is therefore brought under section 98 of the Civil Procedure Rules Cap. 98, Order 46 Rule 1 (a) & (b) of the Civil **Procedure Rules S. I 71-1** for orders that the dismissal order of **Civil** Suit No.459 of 2011 be set aside, Civil Suit No. 459 of 2011 be reinstated for hearing and costs be provided for.
The matter having been dismissed under Order 17 Rule 6 (1) of the Civil Procedure Rules, the remedy for the plaintiff in such instance lies under Order 17 rule 6 (2) of the Civil Procedure Rules, which entitles the applicant to filing a fresh suit.
There is no legal provision which mandates this court to reinstate a suit (Miscellaneous Cause circumstances. such under dismissed 548/2012 – Ogwang Olebe Francis Vs Stanbic Bank (U) Ltd).
It is also worth noting as correctly noted in the supporting affidavit of 15 Mr. Muhwezi Tharry for the $2^{nd}$ respondent's bank, that as per the rules of procedure, summons ought to have had been served upon the respondents within 21 days from the date of sealing by this court.
However per the notice of motion availed to court, the application was
filed in court on 18<sup>th</sup> December, 2019 and sealed by this court on 27<sup>th</sup> 20 October, 2019. It was not however until 2<sup>nd</sup> November, 2020, a period of about twelve months later that it was served to the $2^{nd}$ respondent.
$\frac{1}{2}$
There was no application filed in this court seeking leave to extend the period within which the applicant was required to serve, as per **order 5** rule 2 of the Civil Procedure Rules. The applicant did not file any rejoinder.
This court also noted that the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent Mr. Katuramu Julius did $\mathsf{S}$ not file any reply and that there was no evidence to show that he had been duly served.
Accordingly, this application is improperly before this court and is therefore struck off with costs to the $2^{nd}$ respondent.
$\mathbf{1}$
Alexandra Nkonge Rugadya Judge. 1<sup>st</sup> February, 2021.
15