[2018] EACJ 125

[2018] EACJ 125

The Court found that the Applicants' Reference was premised on a false assertion that national courts had clarified the legal position on the unfrozen accounts. Neither the Constitutional Court nor the Supreme Court of Uganda made a determination entitling the Applicants to payment; instead, they recommended that...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2018] EACJ 125
Parties
Applicant: Ismaeil Dabule & 1004 Others; Respondent: Attorney General of Uganda
Court
East African Court of Justice
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Judgment Date
28 November 2018
Procedural Posture
Reference / Final Judgment
Outcome
reference_dismissed
Judges
Jundu JA, Mugenyi PJ, Ngiye JA, Ntezilyayo DPJ, Nyawello JA
Legal Topics
Freezing of Bank Accounts, Right to Property, Rule of Law Obligations, Treaty Compliance, Statute of Limitations
Source Language
english
Administrative Law Banking and Finance Freezing of Bank Accounts Right to Property Rule of Law Obligations Treaty Compliance Statute of Limitations

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Parties

Ismaeil Dabule & 1004 Others

Applicant

Attorney General of Uganda

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Reference / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Reference is time-barred under Article 30(2) of the Treaty.
  2. 2 Whether the Ugandan Government's alleged refusal to release the Applicants' frozen funds violates Articles 6(d) and 7(2) of the Treaty.
  3. 3 Whether the alleged violations of the Applicants' rights to a fair hearing, property, and freedom from discrimination constitute a breach of Uganda's obligations under the Treaty.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court found that the Applicants' Reference was premised on a false assertion that national courts had clarified the legal position on the unfrozen accounts. Neither the Constitutional Court nor the Supreme Court of Uganda made a determination entitling the Applicants to payment; instead, they recommended that the matter be addressed by ordinary courts. The Applicants failed to establish any contravention of Ugandan national law or Treaty obligations by the Respondent. The letter of August 2016, which formed the basis of the Reference, was rooted in a misdirection of law and did not give rise to a legitimate cause of action. Consequently, there was no live dispute before the Court, and...

Court Disposition

reference_dismissed

Orders

  • The Reference is dismissed with costs to the Respondent.