[1999] UGHC 20

[1999] UGHC 20

The court found that Mr. Muhwezi, as company secretary, was not likely to be called as a witness by either party, and even if he were, the rule prohibiting an advocate from acting as both counsel and witness is not violated until the advocate is actually called as a witness. The preliminary objection was not...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1999] UGHC 20
Parties
Plaintiff: Bonus Kazooba; Defendant: Levi Tugume
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Suit No.143 of 1993
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Ruling on Preliminary Objection
Outcome
preliminary objection overruled
Legal Topics
Advocate Conflict of Interest, Company Director Disputes, Pleadings and Objections
Source Language
en
Civil Procedure Commercial and Corporate Advocate Conflict of Interest Company Director Disputes Pleadings and Objections

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Bonus Kazooba

Plaintiff

Levi Tugume

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Suit / Ruling on Preliminary Objection

  1. 1 Whether Mr. Muhwezi, counsel for the defendant, should be disqualified from representing the defendant due to likelihood of being called as a witness.
  2. 2 Whether the preliminary objection regarding advocate conflict was properly pleaded in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules.
  3. 3 Entitlement to costs arising from the preliminary objection.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that Mr. Muhwezi, as company secretary, was not likely to be called as a witness by either party, and even if he were, the rule prohibiting an advocate from acting as both counsel and witness is not violated until the advocate is actually called as a witness. The preliminary objection was not specifically pleaded in the plaint or counterclaim, thus taking the defendant by surprise and contravening Order 6 Rule 5 of the Civil Procedure Rules. The authorities cited by the plaintiff were distinguishable, as Mr. Muhwezi was not a party to the suit and had no personal interest. The company, being a separate legal entity, was properly represented. The court held that the...

Court Disposition

preliminary objection overruled

Orders

  • Preliminary objection by the plaintiff is overruled.
  • Costs of the day are awarded to the defendant.