[2009] UGHC 154

[2009] UGHC 154

The court found that while the defendant was legally entitled to distress for rent due to the plaintiff's arrears, the process of distress and sale of the plaintiff's property was not conducted in accordance with the law or principles of natural justice. The defendant failed to properly notify the plaintiff of the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2009] UGHC 154
Parties
Plaintiff: Sunshine Tours and Travel Ltd; Defendant: Alam Group of Companies Limited
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Cv.Cs. No. 170 of 1999
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment
Outcome
judgment_for_plaintiff_in_part
Legal Topics
Landlord Tenant Disputes, Distress for Rent, Eviction Procedure, Natural Justice, Remedies for Unlawful Distress
Source Language
en
Land and Property Civil Procedure Landlord Tenant Disputes Distress for Rent Eviction Procedure Natural Justice Remedies for Unlawful Distress

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Parties

Sunshine Tours and Travel Ltd

Plaintiff

Alam Group of Companies Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Suit / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the plaintiff owed Shs.10,790,000/= to the defendant as arrears of rent.
  2. 2 Whether the defendant lawfully locked the plaintiff's premises and disposed of its property.
  3. 3 Whether the sale of the plaintiff's property was conducted in accordance with the law and principles of natural justice.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that while the defendant was legally entitled to distress for rent due to the plaintiff's arrears, the process of distress and sale of the plaintiff's property was not conducted in accordance with the law or principles of natural justice. The defendant failed to properly notify the plaintiff of the impending sale, did not involve the plaintiff in the inventory or valuation of the property, and the advertisement for the sale was insufficient and ineffective. As a result, the sale of the plaintiff's property was unlawful, and the defendant was held liable for the value of the property sold, less the rent arrears. The court rejected the plaintiff's claims for cash and an...

Court Disposition

judgment_for_plaintiff_in_part

Orders

  • The defendant shall pay the plaintiff Shs.14,925,000/= being the value of the plaintiff's properties less rent arrears.
  • Interest on the above sum at 18% per annum from 26.08.97 until payment in full.