[2004] UGCommC 13

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{\insrsid16481610 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linex0\headery708\footery708\colsx708\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid12411711\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxr\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7946429 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs17\insrsid16481610 PAGE }}{\fldrslt { \cs17\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid1653605 1}}}{\cs17\insrsid16481610 \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri360\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin0\itap0\pararsid16481610 {\insrsid16481610 \par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1 \widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid16481610 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \line }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid16481610 KAMPALA}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 \line }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 HCCS NO. 334 OF 2002 \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 CHRISTOPHER }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610\charrsid12411711 KISEMBO:}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 :::::::::::::::}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 ::::::::::::::::::::::}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 ::::::::::::::::::::: }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 PLAINTIFF \line VERSUS \line GLOBAL DISTRIBUTORS }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610\charrsid12411711 LTD:}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 ::::::::}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 :::::::::::::::::::}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 :::::::::::::::::::: }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 DEFENDANT \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid16481610 {\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 BEFORE: }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 THE HON. LADY JUSTICE M. S. ARACH }{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 - }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 AMOKO \line JUDGMENT: }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 The Plaintiff is a business man based in Ishaka, Bushenyi. The Defendant is a limited liability company located in Ntinda Industrial Area, Kampala}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 . It deals in the }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610\charrsid12411711 distribution}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 of products manufactured by the \'93House of Dauda\'94 , including sweets and biscuits. The Plaintiff was its agent in Ishaka for many years. They had a credit arrangement which reached Shs.50m by 2001. The Plaintiff made several efforts to pay in vain. In April 2001, the Defendant requested for and Plaintiff \rquote s driver delivered the Plaintiff\rquote s Fuso Lorry Reg. No. UCS 214 to the Defendant\rquote s premises at Ntinda Industrial Area. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid3549794 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 The Plaintiff alleged in this case that his driver delivered the said lorry on the understanding that the Defendant had agreed to hire }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 the said lorry at a rate of Shs1}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 .5m per week. When the lorry was delivered to the Defendant\rquote s premises on}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 the 20/4/2001 to start work, the Defendant\rquote s Manager impounded the lorry instead because of the outstanding debt. The Defe ndant refused to release the lorry to him despite numerous requests, until the said lorry was attached by the Court in Civil Suit No. 272 of 2002. The Plaintiff then filed this suit and prayed for: \line a. Shs.1.5m per week w.e.f 20/4/2001 till payment in full. \line b. Interest at bank rate on (a) from 20/4/2001 till payment in full. \line c. Costs. \line d. Any other relief. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 In its written statement of defence, the Defendant denied impounding the said lorry or the contract of hire. It contended instead that the Plaintiff a nd his wife owed it a debt of Shs.54,850,000/, and the Plaintiff had as a consequence not only pledged the said lorry as security, but had invited the Defendant to repair and then hire it as well. The Defendant however avers that it did not hire the lorry as it was not in a road worthy condition. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Defendant also contended that the Plaintiff has no cause of action against it, and the suit is resjudicata since the issues raised by the Plaintiff were considered and resol ved in C. S. No. 272/01 whereby the Plaintiff and his wife conceded that the said lorry was pledged as security with other plots, and undertook to pay Shs.54}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610\charrsid12411711 , 850,000}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 /}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 =}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 within six weeks from the date of Judgment. \line In view of the foregoing, the Defendant denied the remedies claimed and prayed that the }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 suit be dismissed with costs. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 \par The following were common grounds at the commencement of the hearing: \line 1. That the Plaintiff and his wife owed the Defendant Shs.54}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610\charrsid12411711 , 850,000}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 /}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 =}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 prior to handing over the lorry to the Defendant. \line 2. That they had problems in paying the money. \line 3. They had pledged the title to plot No. 1016 Block 39 Igara, Bushenyi Road. \line 4. That the amount was not paid. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16481610 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 The following issues were agreed upon for determination by this Court: \line 1. Whether the Plaintiff hired the lorry to the Defendant or not as alleged. }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 2. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Whether the Defendant impounded the Plaintiff1s lorry or not. \line 3. Whether the Plaintiff is entitled to the remedies sought. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Apart from his own testimony, the Plaintiff called his wife, }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 Mrs.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 Provia Kisembo (PW3) }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 and his driver, one Ahmed Kaggwa (PW1) to support }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 his case. The Defendant called }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 the following witnesses: \line 1. Mr. Vinay Dawda - the Managing Director (DW1). \line 2. Mr. Ambrose Onoria - the Transport Manager/Assistant (DW2). \line 3. Mr. Fra ncis Kavuma Kiwanuka (DW3). \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 I have dealt with the first two issues together, that is, \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Whether the Plaintiff hired the lorry in question to the Defendant or not and whether or not the Defendant impounded the Plaintiffs lorry. Regarding the }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid9906736 1}{\lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid9906736 st}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 issue, the }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Plaintiff insisted in his oral testimony that he did hire the said lorry to the Defendant. The Defendant on the other hand maintained that he didn\rquote t. It is not in dispute that there was no written agreement for the hire of the lorry. The decision on this issue therefore depends entirely on the oral testimony of the witnesses. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 I will start with the Plaintiff\rquote s side. The relevant testimony came from the Plaintiff himself as PW2 and his wife (PW3). The Plaintiff stated in his evidence in chief that: \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid9906736 {\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 \'93In April 2001 on if}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 I met Mr. V/nay at his office i}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 n Ntinda. We discussed }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 busi}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 ness of transport. He asked me to provide him transport of my 25 tonne }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 lorr}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid9906736 y}{\b\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 - }{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 UCS 214 Fuso. We agreed that I should bring the }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 lorry}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 in his }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 factory}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 . We agreed on the payment at Shs. 1. 5m per week af}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 ter expenses had been knocked off. I told him}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 that the }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 lorry}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 is up }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 country}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 and I left it proceeding to Rwanda}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 taking salt. When it is back I would send it to Vi}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 nay\'94 \line }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid9906736 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 And then: \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid9906736 {\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 \'93The lorry was }{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 delivered}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 to Vinay by my wi}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 fe and Ambrose Onorio}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \'85}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 my driver Ahmed with my Manager Edmund Asingwire}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \'85}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 I went there after one week at Britania and I wanted to know why the agree}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 ment of the business was not sig}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 ned. We had arranged that an agreement of hire would be }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 signed}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 . I found the lorry parked there. I d}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 idn\rquote t find Vi}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 nay}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \'85}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 I rang him and he told me that he }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 still}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 had a problem with my lorry and the company management}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \'85}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 He didn \rquote t pay me the weekly money and he didn\rquote t release the lorry to me. He told me I had some outstanding debt with the company which I had to clear first. I had his debt of Shs.42m. That is the reason why he didn\rquote t want to pay me or to release the forty.\'94 \line }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid9906736 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Mrs. Kisembo (PW3}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 ) on}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 her part testified that on the 17/4/2001 she was at home in Ishaka when Mr. Vinay rang them (}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 Mrs.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Kisembo and her hus band) and told them mat he had a lot of work. On the 18/4/2001, the following day, she travelled to Mr. Vinay\rquote s office. He told her that he had a lot of work of transporting biscuits to some places. She stated that: \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid9906736 {\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 \'93He wanted our forty UCS 214-25 ton Fus o }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 Lorry}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 . He told me that we are goin}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 g to hire the forty at Shs. 1. 5 }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 m per week. We had a debt to the company. He said we would }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 pay 1/2 and remain with 1/2 to cl}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 ear the debt. We agreed on the arrangement. He told me to go and bring the }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736\charrsid12411711 lorry}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 because they wanted it urgently}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \'85}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 By that time it was 20/4/2001 next day, and it was Friday. The Managing Director told Ambrose in my presence that you tell th}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 e driver where to park the vehicl}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 e then we shall make the agreement on Monday}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \'85 The driver parked the lorr}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 y}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \'85}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 On Monday, I went back to his office and he told me that he had impounded the forty. I asked him the reason and he kept quiet.\'94 \line }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid3549794 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 During cross examination Mrs. Kisembo first of all denied swearing the affidavit in HCCS No. 272/2001. When she was shown the affidavit (Exhibit Dl) she changed her position and agreed she signed it. She howe}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid9906736 ver became angry and rude when }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 he was put to task to explain why she had sworn in her affidavit in CS No. 272/2001 that they had entered into a verbal agreement that the Defendant should use the said lorry w.e.f 20/4/2001 at a rate of Shs.600}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605\charrsid12411711 , 000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 per day to settle the outstanding debt of Shs.42}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605\charrsid12411711 , 645,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 /; and not Shs.1.5m per week as she alleged in her testimony. When she was questioned further, she stated that it was a mistake. I must say, I found }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605\charrsid12411711 Mrs.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Kisembo\rquote s testimony riddled with falsehoods and inconsistencies. She was also rude and evasive and I have disregarded most of her testimony. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Mr. Vinay (DW1) on the other hand gave a detailed history of how the said lorry came to be delivered to the Defendant\rquote s premises. I found his testimony consistent and I believe him. He stated that the Plaintiff had a good business relationship with the Defendant }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605\charrsid12411711 Company}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 as an agent in Ishaka. They started a small credit arrangement which later on grew. Mr. Kisembo gave security of a piece of land at first and then a house in Ishaka on which the compa}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 ny registered an interest. Mr. K}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 isembo prospered in business and even bought a petrol station and a lock up shop. However, the business subsequently hit a snag and Mr. Kisembo failed to pay the credit which}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 had by then reached over Shs.50 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 m for goods supplied to him by the Defendant. The Defendant started asking for payment and he was polite at first and would promise to pay. He didn\rquote t pay and the Defendant sent a demand Form that day. Mr. Kisembo disappeared from the scene and put his wife (PW3) forward until 3 months ago when he resurfaced. The wife then}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 deposited Shs.3m towards the d}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 ebt. She also offered their Pajero which was used to off set about Shs.7}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 m from the }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 debt. They still failed to clear the debt. The company did not sell the house because of sympathy. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Mr. Vinay said: \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid1653605 {\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 \'93}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605\charrsid12411711 Mrs.}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Kisembo came to our office and said she would be ready to bring that lorry to our office in Kampala and then see how we can off set the debt using the lorry, o}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 r see how we can use it In reduci}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 ng the debt. We said we would decide after we had looked at the lorry}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \'85.}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Finally the lorry came. I looked at the lorry. According to our assessment it was not in a proper condition. We decided not to use it or to have a good enough value to be able to offset the debt}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \'85}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 . We carried out a valuation and found that we would need about Shs.12 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 - }{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 15m to put it in order. When we saw that the lorry was not worth the security we had in our mind, we did not consider it worthy to put money on the lorry. It didn\rquote t make business sense because I was trying to recover a debt. It was like throwing good money over bad money}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \'85}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Their own driver drove the lorry to our offices. I never agreed to hire the said lorry at }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605\charrsid12411711 Shs.}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 1. 5m per week. I transport goods throughout Uganda}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 . If you take Shs. 1. 5}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 m per week, that would be Shs.6m a m}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 onth you could buy another vehicl}{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 e in six months. In other words we could have bought a better vehicle than that of Kisembo that time. We could add a few shillings and get a better lorry than Kisembo \lquote 5. If he could fetch that kind of money, he could have hired it out in the open market and paid my money.\'94 \line }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid1653605 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Mr. Vinay also denied that he met Mr. Kisembo on 15/4/2001 because it was a Sunda y and they do not work on Sundays. Further Mr. Vinay stated that he was out of the country on that day, he had left for Kenya on 12/4/2001 and he returned on 17/4/2001. Mr. Kisembo had stopped coming to see him in 2001. It was his wife who used to come to him. He tendered a page of his passport as Exh. D4. He denied into any agreement for hire with Mr. Kisembo totally. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 From the evidence on record, it is clear that Mr. Kisembo lied when he said that he met Mr. Vinay on 15/4/2001 and agreed on the hire of th e lorry. Mr. Vinay passport Exh. D4 clearly shows that he was out of the country and in Kenya from 12/4/2001 to 17/4/2001. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Secondly, Mr. Vinay has stated and I believe him that }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605\charrsid12411711 Mrs.}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Kisembo now came into the forefront when the husband failed to pay the debt. That explains why she is the one who went to Mr. Vinay\rquote s office on the 18/4/2001 to discuss the issue of the lorry }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605\charrsid12411711 and}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 offered and indeed delivered the lorry to the Defendants premises on 20/4/2001 instead of her husband. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Thirdly, }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605\charrsid12411711 Mrs.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Kisembo is the one who made frantic efforts to save the situation when she deliver}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 ed the Shs.3m and the Pajero. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid3549794 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 Fourthly Mr. Vinay has stated and it can be gathered from the testimony of all the key witnesses that the lorry was delivered to the Defendant\rquote s premises in a n effort to settle the outstanding debt. Mr. Vinay thought he could use it to transport their products but discovered that it was in such poor mechanical condition that it could not be repaired and hired. Therefore the Defendant declined to use it and ins tead he impounded it to recover their outstanding debt. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 On the basis of this, I find as a fact that there was no contract of hire between the parties. I find as a fact that although the vehicle was delivered to be hired, the Defendant changed its mind due to its poor mechanical condition, and decided to impound it instead. The answer or the first issue is accordingly in the negative and the second issue is answered in the affirmative. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 The third issue is whether the Plaintiff is entitled to the remedies sought. Having held as I have on the two issues, the Plaintiff is therefo}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 re not entitled to the remedies }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 sought, namely the Shs.1.5m per week for the hire of the lorry. This is simply because the Plaintiff\rquote s claim is based on the alleged contract of hire which I have not found to exist. In the result this suit is hereby dismissed with costs to the Defendant. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 M. S. Arach - Amoko \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 JUDGE \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1653605 31/5/2004 \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3549794 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid3082052\charrsid12411711 \par }}