[2000] UGCA 30

[2000] UGCA 30

The Court held that although it is good practice for the trial court to hear the accused or his counsel on sentence, the omission to do so is not fatal under section 93 of the Trial on Indictments Decree, 1971. In this case, the appellant was represented by counsel who addressed the court on sentence, and there was...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2000] UGCA 30
Parties
Appellant: Agudi Godfrey; Respondent: Uganda
Court
Court of Appeal of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Criminal Appeal No.9 of 1999
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Sentencing Practice, Allocutus Right, Defilement Offence, Remand Period Consideration
Source Language
en
Criminal Law Sentencing Practice Allocutus Right Defilement Offence Remand Period Consideration

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Parties

Agudi Godfrey

Appellant

Uganda

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Appeal Against Sentence

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge erred by sentencing the appellant without first hearing him in allocutus.
  2. 2 Whether the sentence of 14 years imprisonment was manifestly excessive given the appellant's status as a first offender and time spent on remand.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court held that although it is good practice for the trial court to hear the accused or his counsel on sentence, the omission to do so is not fatal under section 93 of the Trial on Indictments Decree, 1971. In this case, the appellant was represented by counsel who addressed the court on sentence, and there was no indication that the appellant was prejudiced by not being personally heard. Regarding the alleged excessiveness of the sentence, the Court found that the trial judge had considered the period spent on remand and all relevant mitigating factors. The offence of defilement carries a maximum sentence of death, and sentences of 15 years imprisonment are common. Given the gravity...

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal against sentence is dismissed.
  • The sentence of 14 years imprisonment is upheld.