[1999] UGHC 18

[1999] UGHC 18

The court found that the first plaintiff was validly married to the deceased under Acholi custom and Ugandan law. The defendant, as the deceased's father, obtained letters of administration without disclosing the existence of the widow and some children, and failed to mention a bank account belonging to the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1999] UGHC 18
Parties
Plaintiff: Evalyne Aciro; Plaintiff: Alfred Bongomin (suing through next friend); Defendant: Y. E. Obina
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Suit No.20 of 1997
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment
Outcome
judgment for the plaintiffs; grant of letters of administration to first plaintiff; revocation of defendant's grant
Legal Topics
Letters of Administration, Customary Marriage, Succession Act, Revocation of Grant
Source Language
en
Family and Children Civil Procedure Letters of Administration Customary Marriage Succession Act Revocation of Grant

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Parties

Evalyne Aciro

Plaintiff

Alfred Bongomin (suing through next friend)

Plaintiff

Y. E. Obina

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Suit / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the letters of administration granted to the defendant should be revoked.
  2. 2 Whether in the circumstances of this case letters of administration should be granted to the first plaintiff.
  3. 3 Who is to take custody of the children of the deceased.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the first plaintiff was validly married to the deceased under Acholi custom and Ugandan law. The defendant, as the deceased's father, obtained letters of administration without disclosing the existence of the widow and some children, and failed to mention a bank account belonging to the deceased. Under the Succession Act, the widow is entitled to a greater proportion of the estate than the father. The omission of material facts and failure to issue a citation to the widow constituted just cause for revocation of the grant. The court held that the defendant's actions were contrary to the requirements of the Succession Act and that the first plaintiff was entitled to be...

Court Disposition

judgment for the plaintiffs; grant of letters of administration to first plaintiff; revocation of defendant's grant

Orders

  • An order revoking the letters of administration granted to the defendant.
  • An order calling upon the defendant to surrender forthwith the letters of administration granted to him on July 7, 1997.