[2023] UGSC 17

[2023] UGSC 17

The Supreme Court held that the allegation of bias against Justice Madrama was not substantiated and, more importantly, was not raised at the appropriate stage as required by the Constitution (Recusal of Judicial Officers) (Practice) Directions, 2019. The Court found that general damages for breach of contract were...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] UGSC 17
Parties
Appellant: Bank of Uganda; Respondent: Margaret Nantale; Respondent: Januario Ndyanabo Kerere
Court
Supreme Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Appeal 25 of 2020
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Judges
Owiny-Dollo, CJ, Mwondha, JSC, Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, JSC, Tuhaise, JSC, Mike Chibita, JSC
Legal Topics
Pension Entitlements, General Damages, Interest Awards, Recusal of Judicial Officers
Source Language
en
Employment and Labour Civil Procedure Pension Entitlements General Damages Interest Awards Recusal of Judicial Officers

Source-derived case record

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Parties

Bank of Uganda

Appellant

Margaret Nantale

Respondent

Januario Ndyanabo Kerere

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment

  1. 1 Whether Justice Madrama was biased and ought to have recused himself from the panel.
  2. 2 Whether the Court of Appeal erred in awarding general damages not pleaded or canvassed.
  3. 3 Whether the Court of Appeal could award damages without a cross appeal.

Ratio Decidendi

The Supreme Court held that the allegation of bias against Justice Madrama was not substantiated and, more importantly, was not raised at the appropriate stage as required by the Constitution (Recusal of Judicial Officers) (Practice) Directions, 2019. The Court found that general damages for breach of contract were expressly pleaded in the plaint, giving the appellate court jurisdiction to award them. The Court of Appeal acted within its powers under section 11 of the Judicature Act to award general damages equivalent to the pension benefits the respondents would have received. The absence of a cross appeal did not preclude the Court of Appeal from awarding damages, as the appellate court...

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed with costs in the Supreme Court and the courts below.
  • The judgment and orders of the Court of Appeal are upheld.