The High Court has ruled that couples who live together for long periods must share property fairly when they separate, setting a new legal precedent in Uganda.
Justice Jane Elizabeth Alividza delivered the landmark decision in a case involving Robert Kabuye and Teopista Nanyonga, who cohabited in Ndejje, Wakiso District, for 20 years. When the relationship ended, Kabuye attempted to evict Nanyonga, claiming sole ownership of the land they had lived on.
The court rejected his claim, ruling that both parties had contributed to the property during their time together. Justice Alividza awarded Kabuye one-third of the land’s value while Nanyonga retained the remaining portion.
Significantly, the ruling clarified that contributions in long-term relationships go beyond financial investments or raising children. Non-financial support such as managing the home, pooling resources, and sustaining the household also count when determining property rights.
This marks a departure from the past, where only legally married spouses could claim rights to property acquired during a relationship. Legal experts have described the ruling as progressive, noting that it reflects the reality of Ugandan society, where many couples live together without formalising their unions.
The judgment now gives cohabiting partners stronger legal protection, signalling that property acquired during long-term relationships cannot be claimed by one party alone.
