[2021] UGCommC 85
The court found that the applicant's claim regarding the imminent sale of matrimonial property without her consent, and the risk of irreparable loss, constituted sufficient urgency under Rule 4 of the Judicature (Court Vacation) Rules. The judge determined that the interests of justice necessitated an exception to...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2021] UGCommC 85
- Parties
- Applicant: Mugisha Hellen Rucogoza; Respondent: Ssetimba Andrew; Respondent: Allan Mugisha Nyirikindi; Respondent: Comico International Ltd; Respondent: Tropical Bank Limited
- Court
- Commercial Court of Uganda
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Case Number
- H.C.Miscellaneous Application No. 973 of 2021
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Certificate of Urgency
- Outcome
- certificate_of_urgency_granted
- Judges
- Gaswaga, J
- Legal Topics
- Certificate of Urgency, Interim Injunction, Temporary Injunction, Matrimonial Property, Sale of Land
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Mugisha Hellen Rucogoza
Applicant
Ssetimba Andrew
Respondent
Allan Mugisha Nyirikindi
Respondent
Comico International Ltd
Respondent
Tropical Bank Limited
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Certificate of Urgency
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the application for a certificate of urgency meets the threshold under the Judicature (Court Vacation) Rules.
- 2 Whether the applicant is entitled to urgent hearing of applications for interim and temporary injunction regarding the suit property.
- 3 Whether failure to hear the application expeditiously would occasion injustice to the applicant.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant's claim regarding the imminent sale of matrimonial property without her consent, and the risk of irreparable loss, constituted sufficient urgency under Rule 4 of the Judicature (Court Vacation) Rules. The judge determined that the interests of justice necessitated an exception to the general prohibition on hearing civil matters during court vacation. Accordingly, the application for a certificate of urgency was granted to allow the hearing of the interim and temporary injunction applications, thereby safeguarding the applicant's rights and preventing potential injustice.
Court Disposition
certificate_of_urgency_granted
Orders
- A certificate of urgency is granted pursuant to rule 4 of the Judicature (Court Vacation) Rules SI 13-20.
- The Registrar is directed to fix M. A No. 972 of 2021 and M. A No. 971 of 2021 for hearing.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
21 paragraphs
# **THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA**
## **IN THE HIGH COURT AT KAMPALA**
### **[COMMERCIAL COURT]**
#### **M. A No. 973 of 2021**
## **(Arising from M. A No. 972 of 2021, M. A No.971 of 2021 and Civil Suit No.451 of 2021)**
**MUGISHA HELLEN RUCOGOZA::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::APPLICANT**
**VERSUS**
**1. SSETIMBA ANDREW**
- **2. ALLAN MUGISHA NYIRIKINDI** - **3. COMICO INTERNATIONAL LTD** - **4. TROPICAL BANK LIMITED:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;:RESPONDENTS**
### **BEFORE: HON. JUSTICE DUNCAN GASWAGA**
### **RULING**
- [1] This is an exparte application for a 'Certificate of Urgency' brought by the applicant under Section 98 CPA, Order 52 rules land 3 of the Civil Procedure Rules (SI 71-1) to hear the applicant's applications for interim order of an injunction and for a temporary injunction i.e **M. A No. 972 of 2021** and **M. A No. 971 of 2021.** The application is supported by an affidavit of the applicant, Mugisha Hellen Rucogoza which expounds on the grounds relied on and are briefly as follows; - *1. That the applicant by virtue of being married to the 2nd respondent and the suit property being matrimonial property, the applicant is entitled to a share thereto and to consent and be informed about any transaction.*
- *2. That without the applicant's knowledge and consent, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents transferred the suit land to the 4th respondent and the same was agreed to in a memorandum of understanding that the applicant was not party to.* - *3. That the 2nd and 3rd respondents failed to fulfill the terms of the memorandum of understanding which has led to the suit land being put up for sale by public auction/private treaty.* - *4. That ifthe actions ofthe respondents are not stopped the applicant will sufferirreparable loss and the main suit will be rendered nugatory since they are in the process ofillegally annexing or appropriating the suit land to the applicant's detriment.* - *5. That it is in the interest ofjustice that a certificate of urgency be issued to enable court expeditiously stop the respondent's gross conduct in respect of the suit land.* - *[2]* According to rule 4 of the **Judicature (Court Vacation ) Rules SI 13-20.**
*"In vacation the court shall deal with criminal business but shall not sit for the discharge of civil business other than such civil business as shall, in the opinion ofthe presidingjudge, be of an urgent nature.''*
**[3]** After diligently perusing the pleadings on record, <sup>I</sup> find that the application carries merit. <sup>I</sup> am convinced that these are fit and proper cases where an exception should be made for them to be heard during
this period of court vacation. If the application for temporary injunction is not heard now, yet the respondents have started and intend to carry through with the sale of the suit property as indicated in the New Vision newspaper, there is a high likelihood of injustice being occasioned to the applicant.
- **[4] Accordingly, the interests of justice dictate that a certificate of urgency as sought by the applicant be and is hereby granted pursuant to rule 4 of the Judicature (Court Vacation) Rules S113- 20,** - [5] In the circumstances therefore, the Registrar of this court is hereby directed to fix the applications for interim order of injunction and for a temporary injunction, **M. A No. 972 of 2021** and **M. A No. 971 of 2021** respectively for hearing and also ensure that the applicants notify and serve the relevant Court process on the respondents. - [6] Costs of this application are to be provided for.
### **<sup>I</sup> so order.**
### **Dated, signed and delivered this 23rd day of July 2021**
**Duncan Gpswaga**
**JUDGE**