The High Court has dealt another setback to International Court of Justice Judge Julia Sebutinde and her co-defendants by extending an earlier order halting construction of the controversial Bugolobi apartment project until the final determination of the main suit.
In a June 16, 2026 order, Registrar Simon Kintu Zirintusa renewed the temporary injunction that had initially been granted in January this year, effectively barring any further construction works at Plot 8, Princess Anne Drive in Bugolobi.
The renewed order arose from Miscellaneous Application No. 0499 of 2026, itself arising from Miscellaneous Application No. 1106 of 2025 and High Court Civil Suit No. 470 of 2025.
"It is hereby ordered that a Temporary Injunction granted on 12th day of January 2026 by this honourable court halting the multi-storied commercial apartments' building operation at Plot 8, Princess Anne Drive, Bugolobi, Nakawa Division, Kampala Capital City is hereby renewed and extended until the final disposal of the main suit," the order states.
The injunction was initially granted for six months after residents and neighbouring property owners challenged the legality of the multi-storey apartment project linked to Justice Sebutinde, her husband John Bagunywa Ssebutinde, site supervisor Joseph Wamala and the Kampala Capital City Authority.
At the time, the court found that the applicants had established a prima facie case and that allowing construction to continue would expose them to irreparable harm, including alleged invasion of privacy, dust, noise and persistent disruption to their neighbourhood.
The latest order means that the developers cannot lawfully resume construction while awaiting the outcome of the substantive case, which has been fixed for hearing before the High Court on June 22, 2026.
The extension comes barely two months after the High Court dismissed an attempt to halt related criminal proceedings arising from allegations that a KCCA stop order issued against the construction project had been ignored.
In that ruling, Alex Mackay Ajiji rejected efforts to terminate the private prosecution before plea-taking, holding that the issues raised should instead be determined during trial and directing that the criminal proceedings be fast-tracked.
With the construction freeze now extended until the final determination of the civil suit, Justice Sebutinde and her co-defendants remain embroiled in both civil and criminal proceedings connected to the Bugolobi development.
The outcome of the main suit is expected to determine the future of the disputed apartment project and could influence broader discussions on compliance with Kampala's planning and building regulations, regardless of the status or position of those involved.