The High Court Land Division has reiterated and reinforced its earlier judgment in favour of Meera Investments Limited, affirming the company’s ownership rights over dozens of prime properties across the country in its dispute with DFCU Bank.

In the ruling delivered by Justice Samuel Emokor dated January, 2, 2026 in Miscellaneous Application No. 1615 of 2024, the court revisited the substantive judgment issued on October 24, 2023 in Civil Suit No. 948 of 2017, in which Meera Investments emerged successful.

In that decision, the court declared that DFCU Bank’s occupation and continued utilisation of the suit properties constituted trespass and confirmed that Meera Investments Limited is the registered proprietor of the freehold and Mailo interests in the properties.

The court had ordered, “the 1st Defendant is hereby ordered to vacate all the suit properties and render vacant possession to the Plaintiff within three months from the date of judgment after restoring them in a tenable position.”

The decree further directed the Commissioner for Land Registration to cancel DFCU’s registration as leasehold proprietor on Meera’s properties and to cancel all leasehold titles emanating from the suit properties. A permanent injunction was also issued restraining the bank, its agents and servants from continued trespass.

In the latest proceedings, the court acknowledged that DFCU complied with the order to vacate by handing over 47 of the 48 suit premises to Meera Investments.

“The Applicant in his Affidavit in support states that the Respondent complied with the first strand of the order by vacating 47 of the 48 suit premises albeit without having restored them,” the judge noted.

The court also recognised that the original judgment created a clear and binding obligation on the bank to both vacate and restore the properties within a defined period.

“It’s also important to note that the orders of court especially under (j) were to be performed within a prescribed time of three months,” Justice Emokor observed.

Significantly, the judge underscored a key legal principle that strengthens Meera’s position: the filing of an appeal does not in itself suspend a court decree.

“The filing of an appeal does not suspend the execution of a court decree,” the ruling states.

The court further noted that as of June 11, 2024, when Meera through its lawyers forwarded the bills of quantities for restoration costs, the obligation to comply with the judgment had not yet been suspended.

“At this point on 11th June 2024, the obligation to comply with the Judgment and orders of the Court had not been suspended on the Respondent.”

The restoration costs were assessed by a registered quantity surveyor, Oscar C. Walubi of Buildcost Associates, who inspected the properties together with representatives of both parties and prepared bills of quantities detailing the cost of restoring the premises to a tenable condition.

The total cost of restoration was computed at Shs33,984,823,298 plus 18 percent VAT amounting to Shs6,117,268,194, bringing the total to Shs40,102,091,492.

While the court declined to find DFCU in contempt on account of a subsisting stay of execution pending appeal, the substantive declarations in favour of Meera Investments remain intact. The confirmation of Meera’s registered ownership, the finding of trespass, the cancellation of leasehold interests and the permanent injunction continue to stand unless overturned on appeal.

The ruling therefore preserves the core judgment that established Meera Investments’ proprietary rights over the properties, reinforcing its legal position as the registered owner entitled to vacant possession and restoration in accordance with the court’s decree.

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The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has commenced the second quarter disbursement of funds under the Institutional Support programme for Local Government Women Councils for the Financial Year 2025/2026, with a total allocation of Shs1.606 billion approved by Parliament.

In a circular dated January 28, 2026, seen by Eagle Online addressed to all Chief Administrative Officers and Town Clerks, the Permanent Secretary, Aggrey Kibenge confirmed the release of the funds to support Women Council structures nationwide.

“The Parliament of Uganda appropriated a total of Ushs1,606,929,734 in the FY2025/2026 to support Women Council structures across the country,” Kibenge stated.

According to the communication, the funds are provided in line with the National Women’s Council institutional support guidelines and are intended to strengthen coordination and oversight roles of Women Councils at district and city levels.

“The funds are meant to facilitate activities related to monitoring women’s projects, mobilization of women for increased uptake of government development programmes targeting women, and conduct training for Uganda Women Empowerment Programme beneficiaries and their leaders,” Kibenge wrote.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the letter was issued to formally notify accounting officers about the second quarter disbursement for FY2025/2026, which is to be transferred directly to the respective Local Government Women Councils in accordance with the approved schedule.

“The purpose of this letter is to inform you about the second quarter FY2025/2026 disbursement of funds to be transferred to your respective Local Government Women Councils as per the attached schedule,” he noted.

Figures contained in the disbursement schedule indicate that allocations were distributed across districts and cities countrywide with varying funding levels based on administrative units.

Among the higher allocations, Kampala District received Shs13,487,363 with a second quarter release of Shs2,621,840, while Wakiso District was allocated Shs16,665,896 and received Shs3,416,473. Mukono District received Shs13,711,962 with a quarterly disbursement of Shs2,267,745.

Other notable allocations include Luwero District with Shs16,365,859 and a quarterly release of Shs3,341,464, Kyenjojo District which received Shs16,665,896 and Shs3,416,473 for the quarter, and Kasese District with Shs19,348,898 and a release of Shs4,087,224.

Several districts received allocations ranging between Shs7 billion and Shs12 billion, with corresponding quarterly releases averaging between Shs1.3 billion and Shs2.5 billion, depending on the size and structure of the local government unit.

The schedule further shows that newer districts such as Karenga, Kwania, Kikuube and others also benefited from the institutional support funds, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to ensuring nationwide coverage.

The total second quarter allocation reflected in the schedule stands at over Shs284 million out of the broader Shs1.606 billion annual appropriations, forming part of phased releases for the financial year.

The funds will strengthen grassroots women leadership structures, enhance monitoring of women-focused projects, and boost mobilisation for government development initiatives targeting women, particularly under empowerment programmes.

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Uganda Christian University is mourning the tragic death of its Director of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Ms Pamela Tumwebaze who was killed in a violent attack at her home in Mukono District.

In an official statement released on Wednesday morning, the university confirmed her passing.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Ms. Pamela Tumwebaze, the Director of Student Affairs, and member of the Uganda Christian University Senior Management,” the statement reads.

UCU added, “She went to be with the LORD in the early hours of Wednesday, February 11, 2026.”

The university called upon the community to support her family during this difficult time.

“Please uphold her children, immediate family and loved ones in prayer. Further details will be shared,” the University noted.

Police said Ms Tumwebaze was attacked by unknown assailants at her residence in Buwafu Village, Goma Division, Mukono District on Tuesday night. She sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a nearby health facility, where she later died in the early hours of Wednesday. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack are ongoing.

Ms Tumwebaze was a respected member of UCU’s senior management and a long serving administrator who rose through the ranks after beginning her journey at the institution as a student. Over the years, she became one of the most influential figures in student affairs, overseeing discipline, welfare, accommodation, counselling services and student leadership development.

Known for her firm but compassionate approach, she was regarded as a mentor to many students. Her office often served as a first point of contact for students facing academic or personal challenges.

She leaves behind children and other family members. The university is expected to announce burial and memorial arrangements in due course as police continue with investigations.

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The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has directed broadcasters to stop using radio, television and digital platforms to challenge officially declared election results, reminding media houses that only the Electoral Commission has the constitutional authority to announce outcomes.

In a notice issued by UCC Executive Director, Nyombi Thembo on Tuesday, February 10 said the commission had observed a pattern in which unsuccessful candidates in parliamentary and local government elections were using broadcast platforms to dispute results from the recently concluded polls through unverified and sensational claims.

“The Uganda Communications Commission reminds broadcasters and the public that only the Electoral Commission is mandated to declare election results. Broadcast platforms must not be used to dispute officially declared results or air unverified claims,” Nyombi said in the statement.

Nyombi  stressed that once results are declared by the Electoral Commission, any dissatisfaction must be addressed through the courts in line with the law and not through media platforms.

“Election disputes should be addressed through the courts by filing petitions within the legally set timelines. The broadcast media should not be used as alternative venues for litigating election disputes,” he cautioned.

According to the regulator, airing unofficial results, parallel tallies or speculative allegations is unlawful and risks misleading the public, eroding confidence in democratic institutions and threatening national unity in the post-election period.

The UCC directed all broadcasters to immediately refrain from hosting or airing content that questions declared election results without verification. This includes programmes, talk shows and call-ins that promote unofficial figures or unsubstantiated claims.

“All broadcasters are hereby directed to refrain from airing content that disputes declared election results without verification. Strict editorial oversight is required to ensure all election-related information is verified against official Electoral Commission sources,” the notice stated.

The Commission warned that enforcement action will be taken against any broadcaster that violates the directive, urging media owners, editors and presenters to act responsibly and uphold professional standards in the handling of post-election content.

The UCC directive aligns with the Electoral Commission’s 2025 media reporting guidelines issued ahead of the general elections, which clearly set out how journalists and broadcasters are required to report on elections and results.

Under the Electoral Commission guidelines, media houses are required to report election results strictly as declared by the Commission and are prohibited from publishing or broadcasting projected, unofficial or parallel results  whether attributed to political parties, candidates, agents or members of the public.

The guidelines further require broadcasters to clearly attribute all election results to the Electoral Commission, avoid speculation during tallying and declaration, and repeatedly remind audiences that only the Commission can lawfully announce final outcomes.

Media houses are also obligated to exercise editorial control over live programmes, including call-in shows, to prevent the dissemination of false or misleading election information. Journalists are required to ensure accuracy, balance and restraint in reporting, particularly in the post-election period when tensions may still be high.

The Electoral Commission guidelines emphasise that once results are declared, the electoral process moves into a legal phase, where disputes are resolved exclusively through the courts. Media platforms are therefore not permitted to host debates or narratives that undermine declared outcomes or present them as provisional.

Together, the UCC directive and the Electoral Commission guidelines place responsibility on broadcasters to support public order, confidence in electoral institutions and democratic stability by ensuring that election reporting remains factual, verified and lawful.

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