[2010] UGCA 34

[2010] UGCA 34

The Court of Appeal found that the purported will of the deceased was not validly attested to as required by sections 36 and 50 of the Succession Act. Only one witness, Miriam Nalumansi, could be identified as an attestator, and Dr. Sekyana did not testify nor was his signature identified by any witness. The...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2010] UGCA 34
Parties
Appellant: John Ntanda Masanyalaze; Respondent: Rita Nanono; Respondent: Paul Buyisi; Respondent: Dick Seruwo; Respondent: Isaac Kasiiba; Respondent: Bernard Kayondo
Court
Court of Appeal of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Appeal No. 86 of 2008
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Succession and Wills, Probate and Administration, Attestation Requirements, Intestacy, Burden of Proof
Source Language
en
Family and Children Civil Procedure Succession and Wills Probate and Administration Attestation Requirements Intestacy Burden of Proof

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Parties

John Ntanda Masanyalaze

Appellant

Rita Nanono

Respondent

Paul Buyisi

Respondent

Dick Seruwo

Respondent

Isaac Kasiiba

Respondent

Bernard Kayondo

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the will purportedly made by the deceased was validly attested to in accordance with the Succession Act.
  2. 2 Whether inconsistencies and omissions in the testimonies of defence witnesses nullified the will.
  3. 3 Whether the deceased died intestate or testate.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal found that the purported will of the deceased was not validly attested to as required by sections 36 and 50 of the Succession Act. Only one witness, Miriam Nalumansi, could be identified as an attestator, and Dr. Sekyana did not testify nor was his signature identified by any witness. The evidence of Dan Musoke was rejected as he did not see the testator sign, did not know what he was signing, and his name was cancelled on the document. The existence of multiple wills and inconsistencies in the testimonies further undermined the validity of the will. The trial judge was correct in finding that the deceased died intestate and in rejecting the will for lack of proper...

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed with costs to the respondents both in the Court of Appeal and the High Court.
  • The deceased is declared to have died intestate.