[2021] UGHCLD 50
The application was dismissed because it was improperly brought against a deceased person, and the deceased's advocates were not proper parties to be joined in the matter. The court emphasized that upon learning of the death of a party, the correct procedure is to seek the involvement of the Administrator General...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] UGHCLD 50
- Parties
- Applicant: Kikonyogo Daniel; Respondent: Nansubuga Remmy (Alias Nansubuga Halima); Respondent: Bakkidde & Hannan Advocates
- Court
- HC: Land Division (Uganda)
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Case Number
- Civil Miscellaneous Application No. 1426 of 2020
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
- Outcome
- application dismissed with costs to the 2nd respondent
- Judges
- Kazaarwe, J
- Legal Topics
- Joinder of Parties, Death of Party, Role of Legal Representatives
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Kikonyogo Daniel
Applicant
Nansubuga Remmy (Alias Nansubuga Halima)
Respondent
Bakkidde & Hannan Advocates
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether it was proper to bring an application against a deceased person.
- 2 Whether it was proper to join the deceased's advocates as respondents in the application.
- 3 What is the appropriate procedure for prosecuting a suit where a defendant has died.
Ratio Decidendi
The application was dismissed because it was improperly brought against a deceased person, and the deceased's advocates were not proper parties to be joined in the matter. The court emphasized that upon learning of the death of a party, the correct procedure is to seek the involvement of the Administrator General under the Administrator General's Act for the management of the deceased's estate and continuation of the suit. The applicant was advised to pursue redress through the Administrator General rather than proceeding against the deceased or her advocates.
Court Disposition
application dismissed with costs to the 2nd respondent
Orders
- The application against the 1st and 2nd respondents is dismissed.
- Costs awarded to the 2nd respondent.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
20 paragraphs
## **THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA (LAND DIVISION)**
## **MISC. APPLICATION NO 1426 OF 2020**
5 **(Arising from Civil Suit No. 783 of 2019)**
**KIKONYOGO DANIEL ---------------------------------------------------APPLICANT**
**V**
## **1. NANSUBUGA REMMY (ALIAS NANSUBUGA HALIMA)** 10 **2. BAKKIDDE & HANNAN ADVOCATES----------------------RESPONDENTS Before: Hon. Lady Justice Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya**
## **RULING**
I have perused the application and affidavit in support and affidavit in reply. It is unfortunate that the 1st Defendant/ Respondent, Ms. Nansubuga Remmy (Alias 15 Nansubuga Halima) died after this suit was instituted against her by the Plaintiff/Applicant. Having learnt of her death and being aware of it, it was improper for the Applicant to bring this motion against a deceased person. I agree with the 2nd Respondent on this point.
Secondly, it was also improper for the Applicant to join M/S Bakidde & Hannan
- Advocates as 2nd 20 Respondent in this matter because their role is and has always been legal representatives/advocate to the deceased 1st Respondent and nothing more. This application is not sustainable. Before I take leave of the matter, I would like to draw the Applicant's attention to the role the Administrator General under the - Administrator General's Act Cap 157 which includes inter alia, the management of the - 25 estate of persons who die intestate. The Applicant may consider seeking redress along those lines in order to conclude the prosecution of this suit.
S.4 (5)(a) of the Administrator General's Act provides as follows;
*Notwithstanding subsection (4)-*
- *(a) when the peculiar circumstances of the case appear to the court so to require, for reasons recorded in its proceedings, the court may if it thinks it fit, of its own motion or otherwise, after having heard the Administrator General, grant letters* - 5 *of administration to the Administrator General or to any other person even though there are persons who, in the ordinary course, would be legally entitled to administer ….and for this purpose may call in and revoke any grant of probate or letters of administration previously made by the court.*
Otherwise the application as it stands against the 1st & 2nd Respondents is dismissed with costs to the 2nd 10 Respondent.
……………………………….
**Olive Kazaarwe Mukwaya**
15 **Judge**
**31st March 2021**
**Delivered by email to Counsel for the Applicant and the Respondent.**
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