The High Court in Mbale has ordered the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to pay Shs160.877 million to a man who was shot in the leg by UWA game rangers near Mt Elgon National Park in Kween District.
In a ruling delivered on 19 October 2026, Justice Farouq Lubega found UWA vicariously liable for the actions of its game rangers and ruled that the shooting violated the man’s constitutional rights against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
The court awarded Emmanuel Arapmwoko Shs10.877 million in special damages, Shs50 million in general damages and Shs100 million in punitive damages, in addition to the costs of the case.
Arapmwoko told the court that on 27 October 2021, he was returning home after visiting his stepfather in Kaeplyo Village when he encountered UWA game rangers near Mt Elgon National Park.
He said the rangers, who were armed with guns and sticks, were herding about 20 cattle into the forest. Emmanuel said he became frightened and tried to run away, but one of the rangers shot him in the right leg.
He was taken to Kaproron Health Centre III and later referred to Kapchorwa Hospital and Kumi Orthopaedic Centre for further treatment.
His account was supported by his neighbour, Chemos Job, who told the court that he heard a gunshot followed by a cry for help. About 10 minutes later, he found Emmanuel lying on the ground, crying and bleeding heavily from his right leg.
Justice Lubega said the evidence linking UWA rangers to the shooting was convincing.
The judge rejected UWA’s denial that its rangers had shot Emmanuel, noting that the rangers had been seen armed shortly before the incident and that Chemos’ testimony supported Emmanuel’s account.
UWA had argued that Emmanuel initially told its officials that unidentified people had injured him. The authority also said it had given him Shs3 million on humanitarian grounds to help with his medical expenses.
However, the court questioned an agreement Emmanuel signed with UWA after receiving the money. The agreement prevented him from pursuing criminal, civil or human rights proceedings against UWA or its employees.
Justice Lubega found that the agreement had been obtained through undue influence because Emmanuel and his father were in a desperate situation and needed money for his treatment.
The court therefore declared the agreement void to the extent that it prevented Emmanuel from seeking legal redress against UWA.
The judge also found that Arapmwoko’s rights under Articles 24 and 44(a) of the Constitution had been violated by the shooting.
The court further found that the shooting caused Emmanuel a comminuted fracture and affected his ability to continue long-distance running, an activity he had pursued while at school.
Justice Lubega awarded Shs50 million in general damages and Shs10.877 million in special damages based on the medical and other expenses proved in court.
He also awarded Shs100 million in punitive damages, describing the conduct of the UWA rangers as “oppressive, arbitrary and unconstitutional”.
The court consequently ordered UWA to pay Arapmwoko Shs160.877 million, together with the costs of the case.
