[2023] UGHCCD 35

[2023] UGHCCD 35

The High Court found that the trial court failed to properly conduct and record locus in quo proceedings, resulting in a lack of clarity regarding the actual boundary and size of the disputed land. The trial court's decision to divide the land equally was unsupported by the evidence and constituted a miscarriage of...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] UGHCCD 35
Parties
Appellant: Olum Peter; Respondent: Modikayo Obina
Court
HC: Civil Division (Uganda)
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Appeal No. 4 of 2020
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
judgment and decree of trial court set aside; retrial ordered
Judges
Okello, J
Legal Topics
Land Boundary Disputes, Locus in Quo Procedure, Evidence Evaluation, Trespass to Land
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Land Boundary Disputes Locus in Quo Procedure Evidence Evaluation Trespass to Land

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Olum Peter

Appellant

Modikayo Obina

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the trial court properly evaluated the evidence regarding the boundary and ownership of the disputed land.
  2. 2 Whether the trial court conducted locus in quo proceedings in accordance with the law and practice directions.
  3. 3 Whether the trial court's decision to divide the land equally between the parties was supported by the evidence.

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court found that the trial court failed to properly conduct and record locus in quo proceedings, resulting in a lack of clarity regarding the actual boundary and size of the disputed land. The trial court's decision to divide the land equally was unsupported by the evidence and constituted a miscarriage of justice. Both parties agreed that the locus proceedings were irregular and deprived them of the opportunity to clarify the boundary issue. The appellate court held that, due to these procedural defects and insufficient material to resolve the boundary question, the only just remedy was to set aside the judgment and decree of the trial court and order a retrial before the Chief...

Court Disposition

judgment and decree of trial court set aside; retrial ordered

Orders

  • The judgment and decree of the Magistrate Grade One in Civil Suit No. 42 of 2013 are set aside.
  • Civil Suit No. 42 of 2013 is to be retried by the Chief Magistrate of Gulu Chief Magistrates Court expeditiously.