[2025] UGHC 332

[2025] UGHC 332

The court found that the plaintiff, while the registered proprietor, had herself widened the original footpath to a motorable road and opened it to public use, thereby dedicating it as a public right of way. The evidence showed the road had served the community for 17 years, and the plaintiff never took steps to...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2025] UGHC 332
Parties
Plaintiff: Nakato Rijcken Mubanda; Defendant: Kajjansi Town Council; Defendant: Wakiso District Local Government
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Suits No. 628 of 2019
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment
Outcome
suit dismissed
Judges
Busingye, J
Legal Topics
Trespass to Land, Public Right of Way, Road Reserve, Compensation for Land, Easement, Local Government Powers
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Trespass to Land Public Right of Way Road Reserve Compensation for Land Easement Local Government Powers

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Parties

Nakato Rijcken Mubanda

Plaintiff

Kajjansi Town Council

Defendant

Wakiso District Local Government

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Suit / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the defendants trespassed on the suit land.
  2. 2 What remedies are available to the parties.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the plaintiff, while the registered proprietor, had herself widened the original footpath to a motorable road and opened it to public use, thereby dedicating it as a public right of way. The evidence showed the road had served the community for 17 years, and the plaintiff never took steps to prohibit public use. The defendants' entry was for statutory maintenance of an existing public road, not unlawful expansion or trespass. The destroyed crops, trees, and fence were within the road reserve, which by law is not compensable. The plaintiff's proprietary rights over the disputed 1.185 acres ceased upon dedication to public use, and her claim for trespass and...

Court Disposition

suit dismissed

Orders

  • The suit is dismissed.
  • Costs are awarded to the defendants.