Simba v Vantage: A rare exception exposing a loophole in
Uganda's Arbitration Law
The recent Court of Appeal decision in Simba Properties v
Vantage Mezzanine has drawn attention for appearing to depart
from the established principle that Ugandan courts have very
limited powers to intervene in arbitration matters, especially
after an arbitral award has been issued. This article explores why
the Simba case stands an exception, the legal gap it exposes, how
other jurisdictions handle similar issues, and the reforms Uganda
may need to consider.
Why Simba appears to be against the grain – and why it is
an exception
Under Uganda's Arbitration and Conciliation Act
("ACA"), court intervention in
arbitration is strictly limited, with the Act silent on the
question of post-award interim protection. In Simba, after the
arbitral award was rendered, the High Court granted interim
protection orders by invoking its inherent powers under the Civil
Procedure Act and
