[2010] UGHC 117

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.}}{\*\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 \qc \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT JINJA \par CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 0039 OF 2008 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 \par }{\b\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 DAN NSUBUGA WERAGA:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: APPELLANT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\b\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 VERSUS \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\b\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 \par UGANDA:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: RESPONDENT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\b\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 \par }{\b\i\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 [Appeal from the decision of M}{\b\i\insrsid9660989\charrsid13186630 r}{\b\i\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 s. E. K. Kabanda (Chief}{\b\i\insrsid793953\charrsid13186630 }{\b\i\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 Magistrate) dated the 22}{\b\i\super\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 nd}{\b\i\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 April 2008}{\b\i\insrsid8540615\charrsid13186630 }{\b\i\insrsid793953\charrsid13186630 \par }{\b\i\insrsid8540615\charrsid13186630 in }{\b\i\insrsid793953\charrsid13186630 Mukono }{\b\i\insrsid8540615\charrsid13186630 Criminal Case No. 0200 of 2006}{\b\i\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 ] \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\b\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\b\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 BEFORE: }{\b\ul\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 HON. LADY JUSTICE IRENE MULYAGONJA KAKOOZA}{ \insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\b\ul\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid90965\charrsid13186630 This appeal arose from the judgment of }{\insrsid9660989\charrsid13186630 Her Worship, }{ \insrsid90965\charrsid13186630 M}{\insrsid9660989\charrsid13186630 r}{\insrsid90965\charrsid13186630 s. Eliz abeth Kabanda in which she convicted Dan Nsubuga Weraga (the appellant) of forgery c/t ss.342 and 348 (1) of the Penal Code Act (PCA) and sentenced him to imprisonment }{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 for }{\insrsid90965\charrsid13186630 5 years, with no option of a fine.}{\insrsid6842253\charrsid13186630 \par \par The background }{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 to }{\insrsid6842253\charrsid13186630 the appeal is that }{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 it was alleged that}{\insrsid9781425\charrsid13186630 the two accused persons forged a transfer and an application for consent to transfer in respect of land known as Block 229 Plot 52 at Busabaga in order to facilitate its transfer from the names of one Dorosi }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 Naziwa}{ \insrsid9781425\charrsid13186630 (deceased) into the names of the appellant. The prosecution called 8 witnesses to prove its case while the appellant testified in his own defence and called one witness}{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 to support him}{ \insrsid9781425\charrsid13186630 . His co-accused testified in his own defence, also defending the appellant, and he called no witnesses. \par \par The trial magistrate found that the prosecution proved the first count, i.e. forgery}{\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 , against the appellant}{\insrsid9781425\charrsid13186630 but}{\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 that the}{ \insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 y}{\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid9781425\charrsid13186630 failed to prove the charge of uttering false documents}{\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 against him. She also found that the prosecution had not proved any of the offences against the 2}{\super\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 nd}{\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 accused and she acquitted him. She }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 then }{ \insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 sentenced the appellant to 5 years in prison. \par \par The appellant appealed against both conviction and sentence and raised two grounds in his memorandum of appeal as follows: \par \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li720\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin-360\lin720\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 The trial magistrate fa iled to properly and strictly evaluate the evidence on the court record and thus arrived at a wrong finding that the appellant}{\insrsid8723350\charrsid13186630 had}{\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 forged the transfer form. \par }\pard \qj \li360\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin360\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid15951603\charrsid13186630 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li720\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin-360\lin720\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 The trial magistrate passed a harsh sentence against }{\insrsid15951603\charrsid13186630 the}{\insrsid413382\charrsid13186630 appellant.}{\insrsid2382413\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li360\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin360\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid9391040\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid9391040\charrsid13186630 The appellant then}{\insrsid2382413\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid15951603\charrsid13186630 prayed}{ \insrsid2382413\charrsid13186630 that this court re-evaluates the evidence on record, find}{\insrsid15951603\charrsid13186630 s}{\insrsid2382413\charrsid13186630 him innocent and quash the conviction and}{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 set aside the }{\insrsid2382413\charrsid13186630 sentence.}{\insrsid9781425\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid15951603\charrsid13186630 \par When this appeal came for hearing on 18/03/2010, I ordered that counsel for both parties file written submissions. The appellant\rquote s advocates filed submissions on 1/04/2010 to which the DPP replied on 26/04/2010. The appellant\rquote s advocates filed a rejoinder thereto. \par }{\insrsid9651902\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid9451038\charrsid13186630 In }{\insrsid9651902\charrsid13186630 her}{\insrsid9451038\charrsid13186630 submissions for the appellant, }{\insrsid9651902\charrsid13186630 Ms. Evelyn Kabonesa}{\insrsid9451038\charrsid13186630 submitted that the trial magistrate failed to evaluate the evidence because Apollo Mutashwera Ntarirwa (PW8) who examined the questioned documents did not tell court his qualifications with regard to the examination of documents or handwritings. }{ \insrsid9651902\charrsid13186630 Ms. Kabonesa therefore }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 submitted }{\insrsid9451038\charrsid13186630 that}{\insrsid9651902\charrsid13186630 Mr. Ntarirwa}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 was not competent to te stify as an expert witness within the meaning of s.43 of the Evidence Act. }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 Counsel further }{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 attacked }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 his }{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 report (and testimony) because in them }{\insrsid9651902\charrsid13186630 Mr. Ntarirwa}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 stated that his analysis was on letters }{\insrsid3570702\charrsid13186630 \'93}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 K, W, a, s, b and }{\insrsid3570702\charrsid13186630 i}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid3570702\charrsid13186630 \'94}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 She }{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 contended that the names Dorosi }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 Naziwa}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 and Dan Nsubuga Weraga did not contain in them the letter \'93K\'94 and that the significant letters \'93D\'94 and \'93R\'94 which appeared in both names were never examined. }{\insrsid9651902\charrsid13186630 Ms. Kabonesa }{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 also complained that }{\insrsid9651902\charrsid13186630 Mr. Ntarirwa}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 examined letters }{\insrsid3570702\charrsid13186630 \'93}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 I}{\insrsid3570702\charrsid13186630 \'94}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 , }{\insrsid3570702\charrsid13186630 \'93}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 S}{ \insrsid3570702\charrsid13186630 \'94}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 and }{\insrsid3570702\charrsid13186630 \'93}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 B}{\insrsid3570702\charrsid13186630 \'94}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 which appear ed in only one name. }{\insrsid9651902\charrsid13186630 She}{\insrsid13447452\charrsid13186630 concluded that the only letters that the witness could have examined were letters \'93N\'94, \'93a\'94 and \'93W\'94 and the three could not have led him to a conclusive report.}{\insrsid9451038\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid9651902\charrsid13186630 Ms. Kabonesa}{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 went on to }{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 complain about inconsistencies in the evidence adduced by the prosecution. In particular, }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 she }{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 pointed out that while PW1, PW2 and PW5 told court that PW3 was a witness to the will of Kayaga Oliver Florence Okwi (Exh P1), PW3 denied that he affixed his signature to the document. He concluded that the e vidence adduced was connivance by members of the}{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 appellant\rquote s}{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 family to implicate }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 him}{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 .}{ \insrsid16136836\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 Ms. Kabonesa}{\insrsid16136836\charrsid13186630 also advanced the argument that the appellant was a member of the complaint\rquote s family and therefore could not have transferred the land in dispute with the intention of defrauding anyone.}{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 \par \par }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 Ms. Kabonesa}{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 next }{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 advanced the argument that the appellant testified that he was illiterate and could not read and that he could only write his name.}{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 She}{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 argued that since the appellant did not know and had never seen the deceased }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 Naziwa}{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 , he could not have signed the transfer dated 13/09/2005}{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 . }{ \insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 She}{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 also drew court\rquote s attention to the testimony that one of the officials in the Registry of Titles poorly guided the appellant at a fee of shs }{\insrsid16136836\charrsid13186630 700,000/=, thus }{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 inferr}{\insrsid16136836\charrsid13186630 ing}{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 that it was this official that forged the documents in issue. }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 She went on to propose that}{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 this court ought to consider the testimony of the appellant that members of his clan told him to take on the responsibility for the land in question. On that note }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 she }{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 concluded that court failed to evaluate the evidence on record because the evidence in the appellant\rquote s defence was never considered.}{\insrsid11362486\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 Turning to the charge sheet, }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 Ms. Kabonesa}{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 complained that court did not consider }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 that }{ \insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 part of s.348 (1) PCA that refers to }{\i\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 \'93other authority for the payment of money by a person carrying on business as a banker.\'94}{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 }{ \insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 She }{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 contended that }{\insrsid597623\charrsid13186630 there was no evidence that the title was forged by the appellant for the purpose of obtaining payment from a bank as is stated in s.348 (1) PCA. }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 She concluded }{\insrsid597623\charrsid13186630 th at the charge was not properly brought under that provision and for that reason the trial court wrongly convicted the appellant under it. \par \par With regard to the }{\insrsid16136836\charrsid13186630 2}{\super\insrsid16136836\charrsid13186630 nd}{\insrsid16136836\charrsid13186630 ground of appeal}{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid16136836\charrsid13186630 which was to do with the sentence imposed}{\insrsid597623\charrsid13186630 , }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 Ms. Kabonesa}{\insrsid597623\charrsid13186630 complained that }{\insrsid12939914\charrsid13186630 neither did the }{ \insrsid16136836\charrsid13186630 trial magistrate take it into consideration that the appellant had a family to support, nor that he had been on remand}{\insrsid12939914\charrsid13186630 before the sentence}{\insrsid16406506\charrsid13186630 . }{ \insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 She }{\insrsid16406506\charrsid13186630 then called upon this court to take it into consideration that the maximum sentence for forgery under s.}{\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 3}{\insrsid16406506\charrsid13186630 47 PCA is 3 years. }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 She finally}{\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 proposed }{\insrsid16406506\charrsid13186630 that since the appellant had been in prison for 2 years}{ \insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 since he was sentenced}{\insrsid16406506\charrsid13186630 , this court should consider that }{\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 period as }{\insrsid16406506\charrsid13186630 sufficient punishment and order that he be released. \par \par In reply, Ms. Nabisenke Vicky }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 for}{\insrsid16406506\charrsid13186630 the DPP }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 submitted }{\insrsid16406506\charrsid13186630 that in order to prove the offence of forgery, the prosecution had to prove three ingredients, i.e. that there was forgery of a document, that the falsified document was in relation to title to land, and finally that the appellant particip ated in the forgery.}{\insrsid1842178\charrsid13186630 She drew courts attention to the definition of forgery in s.342 PCA}{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid1842178\charrsid13186630 and to s.345 (d) PCA which}{ \insrsid6569694\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 defines the}{\insrsid6569694\charrsid13186630 making of false documents as being part of the offence of forgery.}{\insrsid12738714\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid6569694\charrsid13186630 \par Ms. Nabisenke }{\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 went on to }{\insrsid6569694\charrsid13186630 submit that the prosecution had pr oved that the entries in the transfer of land and the consent to transfer had been made with the intent to defraud because the person }{\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 in }{\insrsid6569694\charrsid13186630 whose name the transfer purported to }{ \insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 be had}{\insrsid6569694\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 been }{\insrsid6569694\charrsid13186630 dead for a long time before the document was made. That the transfer o f the land title into the appellant\rquote s names in 2005 when the owner of the land died in 1982 was a clear in}{\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 dication}{\insrsid6569694\charrsid13186630 of his intention to defraud. That the fact that he claimed to have been authorised to take charge of the land by clan elders did not exonerate him from the offence}{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 because it was proved that the transfer of the land title into his names meant that he defrauded PW2 and PW3 of their bequest from Kayaga Oliver}{\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 the testator}{ \insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 of a will}{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 }{\b\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 (}{\b\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 Exh P1}{\b\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 )}{\b\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 .}{ \insrsid6569694\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 \par Ms. Nabisenke }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 further }{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 submitted that the participation of the appellant in the offence was proved by the testimony and report of the handwriting expert (PW8). She }{ \insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 argued }{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 so because when the report was produced in evidence at the trial the appellant and his advocate did not object to its admission onto the re cord. That as a result, they could not contest it on appeal. She }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 further }{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 submitted that the testimony of PW8 ought to be considered as valid by this court because he had the necessary experience for him to identify }{\insrsid9068030\charrsid13186630 the appellant as }{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 the person who }{ \insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 wrote}{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 Exh}{\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 ibits}{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 }{\b\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 P10}{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 and }{ \b\insrsid5197398\charrsid13186630 P}{\b\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 11}{\insrsid9068030\charrsid13186630 , the basis of the }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 charge}{\insrsid9068030\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid5576653\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid6641402\charrsid13186630 \par With regard to the propriety of the charge under s.348 (1) PCA, Ms. Nabisenke submitted that the reference to the document being for purpose}{\insrsid6238575\charrsid13186630 s}{\insrsid6641402\charrsid13186630 of payment of money by a banker referred specifically to one category of documents and did not extend to wills, documents of title to land}{\insrsid6238575\charrsid13186630 , }{\insrsid6641402\charrsid13186630 judicial records and all other documents mentioned therein. In her view, }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 Ms. Kabonesa}{\insrsid6641402\charrsid13186630 misconstrued the meaning of the provision.}{\insrsid6238575\charrsid13186630 She concluded that the appellant was properly charged under s.348 (1) PCA because the complain}{\insrsid10168615\charrsid13186630 t}{\insrsid6238575\charrsid13186630 s against him were }{\insrsid10168615\charrsid13186630 about}{ \insrsid6238575\charrsid13186630 a transfer of land and a consent for the sa}{\insrsid734232\charrsid13186630 me}{\insrsid6238575\charrsid13186630 transfer.}{\insrsid6641402\charrsid13186630 \par \par With regard to the 2}{\super\insrsid6641402\charrsid13186630 nd}{\insrsid6641402\charrsid13186630 ground of appeal, Ms. Nabisenke submitted that the sentence that was awarded to the appellant was lenient becaus e the maximum sentence for offences under s.348}{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid479098\charrsid13186630 (1) is life }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 imprisonment}{\insrsid479098\charrsid13186630 . She }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 complained}{\insrsid479098\charrsid13186630 that the trial magistrate disregarded the fact that the appellant was at the time of his conviction serving another }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 prison }{\insrsid479098\charrsid13186630 sentence}{ \insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 just }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 because the }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 details }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 of the previous conviction}{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 were not supplied to court}{\insrsid479098\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 She concluded that }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 it was }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 this decision that favoured the appellant }{ \insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 and }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 led to his conviction to }{\insrsid14042587\charrsid13186630 only }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 5 years in prison. She therefore }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 asserted } {\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 that the trial magistrate was }{\i\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 very}{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 lenient in her sentence }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 given that}{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 the maximum sentence }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 for the offence was }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 life imprisonment}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 together with}{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 the evidence that }{ \insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 the appellant }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 was not a first time offender. }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 Nonetheless, she}{\insrsid6238575\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 prayed that the conviction }{\i\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 and}{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 the }{\insrsid16664404\charrsid13186630 sentence be upheld.}{\insrsid14445859\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li360\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin360\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid5248244\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid337530\charrsid13186630 On a first appeal such as this one, the appe llant is entitled to have the whole evidence submitted to a fresh scrutiny so that the appellate court weighs the conflicting evidence and arrives at its own conclusions (}{\b\insrsid337530\charrsid13186630 Okero v. Republic [1972] EA).}{ \insrsid337530\charrsid13186630 In so doing an allowance should be made for }{\insrsid13258040\charrsid13186630 the}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid337530\charrsid13186630 fact th e trial court had the advantage of hearing and seeing the witnesses}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 which the appellate court does not}{\insrsid337530\charrsid13186630 (}{\b\insrsid337530\charrsid13186630 Peters v. Sunday Post, [1958] EA. 424}{ \insrsid337530\charrsid13186630 ). I will therefore re-evaluate the whole of the evidence taking into consideration the points raised by }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 Ms. Kabonesa}{\insrsid337530\charrsid13186630 in respect of ground 1 of the appeal and then deal with ground two}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 separately}{\insrsid337530\charrsid13186630 . \par \par }{\b\ul\insrsid15728859\charrsid13186630 Ground 1 \par }{\insrsid337530\charrsid13186630 I considered that the questions raised for this court to answer in ground 1 of the appeal were as follows: \par }{\insrsid11018874\charrsid13186630 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11018874\charrsid13186630 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 i)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-432\li432\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx432\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin-360\lin432\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid11018874\charrsid13186630 Whether the appellant was properly charged under s. 348(1) of the PCA. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11405322\charrsid13186630 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 ii)\tab}}{\insrsid11405322\charrsid13186630 Whether the prosecution proved all the ingredients of the offence charged. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11018874\charrsid13186630 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 iii)\tab}}{\insrsid11018874\charrsid13186630 Whether the }{\insrsid11405322\charrsid13186630 trial magistrate}{ \insrsid11018874\charrsid13186630 failed to take }{\insrsid15728859\charrsid13186630 it }{\insrsid11018874\charrsid13186630 into consideration that there were inconsistencies in the evidence adduced by the prosecution. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11018874\charrsid13186630 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 iv)\tab}Whether the }{\insrsid11405322\charrsid13186630 trial }{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 magistrate}{ \insrsid11018874\charrsid13186630 failed to take the appellant\rquote s defence into consideration in }{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 her}{\insrsid11018874\charrsid13186630 evaluation of the evidence. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid5248244\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid8548332\charrsid13186630 With regard to propriety of the charge,}{\insrsid9660989\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid11675468\charrsid13186630 Ms. Kabonesa}{\insrsid9660989\charrsid13186630 approached the matter as though the appellant had been charged with forgery under s.342 PCA. However, the charge sheet which }{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 was }{\insrsid9660989\charrsid13186630 dated 25/04/2006 under CRB 42/2006, and which was signed by the Magistrate on 15/06/2006 }{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 showed }{\insrsid9660989\charrsid13186630 that the appellant was charged with forgery }{\insrsid13966387\charrsid13186630 contrary to}{\insrsid8548332\charrsid13186630 s. 342 and 348(1) PCA. It was then}{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 stated in the }{\insrsid13979965\charrsid13186630 particulars of the offence}{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 that Dan Nsubuga Weraga}{ \insrsid13979965\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 Mpomya Fred,}{\insrsid13979965\charrsid13186630 and others at large}{\insrsid2190260\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 on the 13 }{\super\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 th}{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 day of September 2005 at Mukono Land Office}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 with intent to defraud}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 ,} {\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 forged transfer forms for the registration of title of land known as Block 229 Plot 52 at Busabaga village}{\insrsid2190260\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 Kyag}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 g} {\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 we}{\insrsid2190260\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 which was registered }{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 in the names of }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 the }{\insrsid8537668\charrsid13186630 late Dorosi Naziwa. \par }{\insrsid13966387\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\faauto\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid13966387\charrsid13186630 It is pertinent to differentiate between the two provisions under which the appellant was charged in order to identify the proper charging section. S.342 falls under Part XXXIII of the PCA which provides for definitions. That section therefore provides that }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13966387\charrsid13186630 forgery is the making of a false document with intent to defraud or to deceive.}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 It }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 therefore becomes}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 clear that }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 s.342 }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 being merely descriptive}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 could not have been }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 the }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 charging section.}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13966387\charrsid13186630 On the ot her hand s. 348(1) PCA falls under Part XXXIV which pro}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 scribes and provides for}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13966387\charrsid13186630 punishments for forgery as follows: \par }{\insrsid12075351\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\faauto\rin-360\lin720\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 \'93}{\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13966387\charrsid13186630 348. Forgery of wills, etc. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid13966387\charrsid13186630 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (1)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-405\li1125\ri180\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx1125\faauto\ls3\rin180\lin1125\itap0\pararsid13186630 { \b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13966387\charrsid13186630 Any person who forges any will, document of title to land, judicial record, power of attorney, bank note, curr ency note, bill of exchange, promissory note or other negotiable instrument, policy of insurance, cheque or other authority for the payment of money by a person carrying on business as a banker is liable to imprisonment for life.}{ \b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 \'94}{\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid12075351\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\faauto\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid12075351\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 It is therefore under this provision that the appellant was charged, the former provision only being supportive of the charge. The charge could }{\insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 also }{\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 have properly }{\insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 been }{\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 brought under s.348}{\insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 (1) without mentioning s. 342 PCA. I therefore find that }{ \insrsid12075351\charrsid13186630 the trial magistrate did not fail in her duty. She properly scrutinised the charge sheet and ensured that the offence charged was}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 properly}{\insrsid12075351\charrsid13186630 founded in law before embarking on a trial.}{\insrsid6247260\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid12075351\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid12790471\charrsid13186630 With regard to the second issue, i.e. whether the prosecution proved all the ingredients of the offence }{\insrsid223112\charrsid13186630 under s. 348(1) PCA}{\insrsid12790471\charrsid13186630 , the offence of forgery is constituted by fo}{ \insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 u}{\insrsid12790471\charrsid13186630 r elements. The}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 re}{\insrsid12790471\charrsid13186630 must be: i) false making or material alteration or possessing of a document, ii) the document must have been made with the intent to deceive, defraud, or injure and iii) the document must have legal efficacy}{\insrsid223112\charrsid13186630 as provided in s.348 (1), i.e. it must be a will, document of title, etc,}{ \insrsid12790471\charrsid13186630 and iv) the accused must be proved to have participated in the making of the document.}{\insrsid223112\charrsid13186630 I will now consider whether the evidence on record proved these 4 ingredients of the offence.}{ \insrsid12790471\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid223112\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 Regarding}{\insrsid223112\charrsid13186630 the first ingredient, the testimonies of }{\insrsid798187\charrsid13186630 PW3, PW6 and PW7 proved that there was a certificate of title for land known as Block 229 Plot 52 at Busabaga, Kyaggwe and that the land was registered in}{\insrsid2048596\charrsid13186630 the names of one D orosi Naziwa as the proprietor. Awoloy Giptha (PW6) the records assistant at the Registry of Titles in Mukono produced a certified copy of the }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 title deed }{\insrsid2048596\charrsid13186630 and it was admitted in evidence as }{\b\insrsid2048596\charrsid13186630 Exh. P9}{\insrsid2048596\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid223112\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid8748421\charrsid13186630 \par By the testimonies of Miriam Nabawanuka (PW1), Simon Peter Misango Tabula (PW2) and Mugula Kigonya (PW3), it was proved that Dorosi Naziwa, the registered proprietor of the land in Block 229 Plot 52 at Busabaga died in 1982. That by the time she died the certificate of title was still registered in her names. Th e testimonies of the}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 three}{\insrsid8748421\charrsid13186630 witnesses also proved that Dorosi Naziwa had only one child, Oliver Kayaga who died in 1993. That Oliver Kayaga was the sole beneficiary to the estate of Dorosi Naziwa and before she died, she made a will in which she bequeathed the land in }{ \insrsid11960176\charrsid13186630 Block 229 Plot 52 at Busabaga to PW2 and PW3. The will was admitted in evidence as }{\b\insrsid11960176\charrsid13186630 Exh. P1}{\insrsid11960176\charrsid13186630 . By the will it was }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 confirmed }{\insrsid11960176\charrsid13186630 that by the time Oliver Kayaga died, the certificate of title was still registered in the names of}{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 her mother,}{\insrsid11960176\charrsid13186630 Dorosi Naziwa.}{ \insrsid12790471\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid11960176\charrsid13186630 \par The prosecution also proved by the testimonies of }{\insrsid6257787\charrsid13186630 PW3, PW6 and D/C Mulumba (PW7) that in 2005, proprietorship of the land in Block 229 Plot 52 at Busabaga was transferred into the names of the appellant. The certificate of title (}{\b\insrsid6257787\charrsid13186630 Exh. P9}{ \insrsid6257787\charrsid13186630 ) showed that the date of the transfer was 4/11/2005, 23 years after the death of Dorosi Naziwa. }{\insrsid10944957\charrsid13186630 Further t}{\insrsid6257787\charrsid13186630 hat the transfer was from the names of }{ \insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 Dorosi }{\insrsid6257787\charrsid13186630 Naziwa }{\insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 directly }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 into }{\insrsid6257787\charrsid13186630 the names of the Dan Nsubuga Weraga, the appellant}{ \insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 , before any grant of letters of administration was made in her estate}{\insrsid6257787\charrsid13186630 . }{\insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 PW6 produced the instrument of transfer (}{\b\insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 Exh. P10}{\insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 ) and the application for consent to transfer (}{\b\insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 Exh. P11}{\insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 ). The two documents purported to have been signed by the late Dorosi Naziwa}{ \insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 in 2005}{\insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 . }{\insrsid11960176\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 \par The testimony of the appellant}{\insrsid5065100\charrsid13186630 (DW1)}{\insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 proved that sometime in 2005, he put his signature }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 on }{\insrsid5065100\charrsid13186630 an}{ \insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 instrument of transfer}{\insrsid5065100\charrsid13186630 of land}{\insrsid5458004\charrsid13186630 , though he stated that it was a blank document that Mpomya Fred (DW2) his co-accused took to him at his home in Lugazi. }{\insrsid5065100\charrsid13186630 His wife Rehema Karachi (DW3) also testified that she saw the appellant put his signature o}{\insrsid11490529\charrsid13186630 n}{\insrsid5065100\charrsid13186630 a land transfer that Mpomya Fred }{ \insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 gave him at}{\insrsid5065100\charrsid13186630 their home.}{\insrsid10169186\charrsid13186630 It was also the testimony of the appellant that Dorosi Naziwa was his grandmother through marriage to his late grandfather, one Enock Weraga}{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 . }{\insrsid10169186\charrsid13186630 That he heard about Dorothy Naziwa but he never saw her}{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 . Further that the clan of his father in a meeting gave him responsibility over his grandfather }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 Enock Weraga\rquote s}{ \insrsid15418559\delrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid15418559\charrsid13186630 estate}{\insrsid5532070\charrsid13186630 . Also that }{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 the}{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 authority to manage Enock }{ \insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 Weraga\rquote s estate}{\insrsid5532070\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 was in writing but }{\insrsid5532070\charrsid13186630 the appellant }{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 did not produce}{ \insrsid5532070\charrsid13186630 any such document}{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 it in court. }{\insrsid11540290\charrsid13186630 \par \par When he was cross-examined, t}{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 he appellant }{\insrsid11540290\charrsid13186630 stated that he did not know how to read and write}{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 but could write}{\insrsid2430304\charrsid13186630 his name and therefore was able to sign the land t}{\insrsid11540290\charrsid13186630 ransfer }{\insrsid2430304\charrsid13186630 form}{\insrsid11540290\charrsid13186630 . He showed court where he had signed. }{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 }{ \insrsid11540290\charrsid13186630 He further stated }{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 that he paid shs 700,000/= to facilitate }{\insrsid1598979\charrsid13186630 Mpomya, }{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 his co-accused to get }{ \insrsid10302219\charrsid13186630 the }{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 land transferred into his names}{\insrsid4784498\charrsid13186630 because Mpomya was conversant with land transfers}{\insrsid13700093\charrsid13186630 . He }{ \insrsid1598979\charrsid13186630 denied having filed in the rest of the transfer form with details and Naziwa\rquote s signature.}{\insrsid4784498\charrsid13186630 He denied having signed }{\b\insrsid4784498\charrsid13186630 Exh. P11}{ \insrsid10302219\charrsid13186630 , the application for}{\insrsid4784498\charrsid13186630 consent to transfer. Most importantly he told court that Naziwa died before he was born. }{\insrsid14291155\charrsid13186630 The appellant further testified}{ \insrsid4784498\charrsid13186630 in cross-examination}{\insrsid14291155\charrsid13186630 that he later went to the land office with Mpomya and he g ot a certificate of title in respect of Block 229 Plot 52 at Busabaga which had been transferred from Naziwa}{\insrsid6182627\charrsid13186630 \rquote s}{\insrsid14291155\charrsid13186630 to his name.}{\insrsid11540290\charrsid13186630 }{ \insrsid14291155\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid4784498\charrsid13186630 \par Given the evidence above, I was satisfied that the prosecution proved }{\insrsid10302219\charrsid13186630 without the shadow of a doubt }{\insrsid4784498\charrsid13186630 that the appellant signed a tr ansfer form in respect of the land known as Block 229 Plot 52 at Busabaga very well knowing that the registered proprietor of the land died long before he was born. Though he denied having filed in the particulars of the document, he admitted that he put his hand to it. The first ingredient of the offence, i.e. the false making of a document was therefore proved}{\insrsid14362106\charrsid13186630 against the appellant}{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 by his own admission}{ \insrsid4784498\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 I also find that by the same evidence the 3}{\super\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 rd}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 ingredient, i.e. the legal efficacy of the document as on e that could confer title to another was proved against the appellant}{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 by his own admission because even if it were proved that he could not write, he could not have signed a blank transfer document about whose purpose he had not a clue}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid4784498\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid10302219\charrsid13186630 \par As to whether the document was made with the intent to deceive, defraud, or injure, the appellant testified that he was given the mandate to administer the estate of his late grandfather, Enock Weraga}{\insrsid11020689\charrsid13186630 in 2005}{ \insrsid10302219\charrsid13186630 . }{\insrsid11020689\charrsid13186630 The appellant also testified that Dorosi Naziwa was the step mother to his late father. }{\insrsid10302219\charrsid13186630 Also that he knew that the late Dorosi Naziwa had only one child, his aunt Oliver Kayaga}{\insrsid11020689\charrsid13186630 who was deceased}{\insrsid10302219\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid11020689\charrsid13186630 Knowing these facts, and that Dorosi Naziwa was long dead, the appellant}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 still}{\insrsid11020689\charrsid13186630 signed }{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 the transfer }{\insrsid11020689\charrsid13186630 form to have her land transferred into his names. Clearly, the land in Block 229 Plot 52 at Busabaga was not part of }{\insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 Enock Weraga\rquote s estate which he claimed to have been }{\insrsid11490529\charrsid13186630 given }{ \insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 authori}{\insrsid11490529\charrsid13186630 ty}{\insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 to manage}{\insrsid11490529\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid11020689\charrsid13186630 The }{ \insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 appellant }{\insrsid11020689\charrsid13186630 therefore signed the transfer form with intent to }{\insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 deceive}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 the official}{\insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 s}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 in the }{\insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 Registry of Titles}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 and to }{\insrsid11020689\charrsid13186630 defraud the estate of the late Naziwa}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 . The intent to defraud }{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 was also evident from}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 the fact that he signed the transfer and procured its registration without first obtaining letters of administration in }{ \insrsid10442282\charrsid13186630 Naziwa\rquote s}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 estate}{\insrsid10442282\charrsid13186630 . Neither did he estab}{\insrsid1258129\charrsid13186630 lish whether there were other beneficiaries to }{ \insrsid11490529\charrsid13186630 the }{\insrsid8398924\charrsid13186630 estate}{\insrsid10442282\charrsid13186630 nor that }{\insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 Naziwa}{\insrsid10442282\charrsid13186630 died testate. The same goes for the estate of}{ \insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 Kayaga}{\insrsid11490529\charrsid13186630 , Naziwa\rquote s}{\insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 daughter}{\insrsid10442282\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid10442282\charrsid13186630 and }{ \insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 almost }{\insrsid10442282\charrsid13186630 the }{\insrsid9513858\charrsid13186630 sole beneficiary to her estate}{\insrsid11020689\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid10302219\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid12790471\charrsid13186630

\par }{\insrsid11490529\charrsid13186630 \par The final ingredient that had to be proved was participation. The evidence above clearly proved the participation of the appellant in the false making of the transfer and in effecting registration in his names. Though he claimed he did not personally go to the Registry to lodge the transfer, he ad mitted that he paid Mpomya Fred shs 700,000/= to do the dark deed. That in itself was participation in the forgery. However, there is further evidence that was adduced}{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 by the prosecution}{ \insrsid11490529\charrsid13186630 that put the nail in the coffin and }{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 removed }{\insrsid11490529\charrsid13186630 all doubt that the appellant was guilty of the offence}{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 as charged}{ \insrsid11490529\charrsid13186630 . \par }{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid14313250\charrsid13186630 D/C Paulo Mulumba (DW8) testified that he got the transfer of the land in question as well as the application for consent to transfer it into the names of the appellant from the Registry of Titles at Mukono. Furthe r that when he took the appellant\rquote s statement}{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid14313250\charrsid13186630 he}{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 (the appellant)}{\insrsid14313250\charrsid13186630 admitted that it was he that lodged the documents in the land office at Mukono. D/C Mulumba testified that he took the appellant\rquote s specimen handwriting and signature and he submitted the documents together with the specimen}{ \insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 s}{\insrsid14313250\charrsid13186630 to }{\insrsid2638565\charrsid13186630 a handwriting expert.}{\insrsid10646941\charrsid13186630 \par \par When he was cross-examined, D/C Mulumba stated that he received a report from the handwriting expert that showed that the writer of the specimen handwriting and signature he submitted was the sam e as the author of the transfer form and the application for consent to transfer, }{\b\insrsid10646941\charrsid13186630 Exh. P10}{\insrsid10646941\charrsid13186630 and }{\b\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 P}{\b\insrsid10646941\charrsid13186630 11}{ \insrsid10646941\charrsid13186630 , respectively. He identified the report of the handwriting expert that he received after the analysis of documents. \par \par The handwriting expert, Apollo Mutashwera Ntarirwa was PW4. He told court that he was the holder of a Bachelor of Science Degree, Chemistry and Geology, from Makerere University. He said he had been employed as an examiner of document since 1977. Counsel for the }{ \insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 appellant }{\insrsid10646941\charrsid13186630 complained about PW4\rquote s qualifications stating that given his stated qualifications, he could not be a competent examiner of documents.}{ \insrsid11891387\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 She }{\insrsid11891387\charrsid13186630 referred to s. 43 of the Evidence Act to support }{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 her }{\insrsid11891387\charrsid13186630 submission}{ \insrsid1794158\charrsid13186630 which provides as follows:}{\insrsid11891387\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid1794158\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\faauto\rin360\lin720\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid1794158\charrsid13186630 \'93When the court has to form an opinion upon a poi nt of foreign law, or of science or art, or as to identity of handwriting or finger impressions, the opinions upon that point of persons specially skilled in that foreign law, science or art, or in questions as to the identity of handwriting or finger imp ressions, are relevant facts. Such persons are called experts.\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid1794158\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 PW8 testified that he examined the documents }{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 and }{\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 that the specimens of the appellant\rquote s handwriting were presented to him by D/}{ \insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 C }{\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 Mulumba. The three pages with the specimen writing of the appellant and signature were admitted in evidence as }{\b\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 Exh. P4, P5 }{ \insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 and}{\b\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 P6}{\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 . I saw the three pages of specimen writing which were taken before D/C Mulumba. The appellant acknowledged}{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 the specimen handwriting and signature}{\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 by signing on each page that the writing }{\insrsid15493374\charrsid13186630 in it was his }{\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 and }{\insrsid11818501\charrsid13186630 that the specimens were }{\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 truly }{\insrsid11818501\charrsid13186630 those }{\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 of his }{\insrsid12470277\charrsid13186630 hand}{\insrsid1466717\charrsid13186630 writing and signature. }{ \insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 I carefully }{\insrsid12470277\charrsid13186630 looked at the}{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 three pages of }{\insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 the}{\insrsid12470277\charrsid13186630 appellant\rquote s}{ \insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 specimen hand}{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 writing. }{\b\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 Exh. P6}{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 in particular showed }{\insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 several}{ \insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 words that }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 the appellant wrote before D/C Mulumba}{\insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 , apart from his signature and the name }{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 \lquote }{ \insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 Dorosi Naziwa}{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 \rquote }{\insrsid13258040\charrsid13186630 , the}{\insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 appellant }{\insrsid12470277\charrsid13186630 put down}{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 a }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 description of land,}{\insrsid721151\charrsid13186630 i.e.}{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 \lquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 222 Kyaggwe Mukono}{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 \rquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 and }{\insrsid13258040\charrsid13186630 its location,}{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 \lquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 Busabaga}{ \insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 \rquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 . He }{\insrsid12470277\charrsid13186630 was }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 also made to write the name }{\insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \lquote }{ \insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 Senyonga Paulo}{\insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \rquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 , his own name}{\insrsid7946405\charrsid13186630 \lquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 Dan Nsubuga Weraga}{ \insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \rquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 and }{\insrsid12470277\charrsid13186630 his }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 address }{\insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \lquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 P. O. Box 171 Lugazi}{\insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \rquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 as well as }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 the name }{\insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \lquote }{ \insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 Daniel Babumba}{\insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \rquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 and his clan }{\insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \lquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 Mamba}{ \insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \rquote }{\insrsid9004049\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 }{\b\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 Exh. P4}{\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid16060658\charrsid13186630 had the}{ \insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 appellant\rquote s name written 8 times}{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 while }{\b\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 Exh. P5}{\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 had the name }{ \insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 \lquote }{\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 Dorosi Naziwa}{\insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 \rquote }{\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 written 8 times. }{\insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 It is these }{ \insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 specimens}{\insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 that }{\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 PW4 compared to the writing in }{\b\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 Exh. P10}{\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 and }{ \b\insrsid14436522\charrsid13186630 P}{\b\insrsid7018086\charrsid13186630 11}{\insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 . }{\insrsid2889383\charrsid13186630 \par \par }{\insrsid7946405\charrsid13186630 I}{\insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 n his testimony on 12/07/06}{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid5116527\charrsid13186630 PW4}{\insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 repeated what he stated in his report (}{\b\insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 Exh. P8}{\insrsid14515478\charrsid13186630 ) as follows}{\insrsid10105947\charrsid13186630 :}{\insrsid3474183\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin720\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\i\insrsid10105947\charrsid13186630 \'93}{\i\insrsid3474183\charrsid13186630 I have compared the questioned handwritings with the specimens availed. I have observed significant similarities between the questioned handwritings on the TRANSFER and APPLICATION, and then the specimens. These include letter designs (e.g. N, K, W, a, s, b, etc); the few letter joins (e.g. a-u and a-n), letter proportions; individual letter slope; final strokes and other writing characteristics. The only problems appear to be the constructions of letter Z and u. \par \par In my opinion, there is evidence consistent with the writer of the specimens having written the questioned entries on EXH. R6 & R5.}{\i\insrsid10105947\charrsid13186630 \'94}{\insrsid3474183\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid14313250\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid9118982\charrsid13186630 R6 and R5 }{\insrsid16060658\charrsid13186630 referred}{\insrsid5795530\charrsid13186630 to}{\insrsid9118982\charrsid13186630 the transfer form and the applicat ion for consent to transfer the land which he compared to the specimen handwriting and signature supplied to }{\insrsid10105947\charrsid13186630 him}{\insrsid9118982\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid16060658\charrsid13186630 Given this evidence, the argument that PW4 could not have examined the form of letter \lquote K\rquote does not hold water because it appears in the word \'93Kyaggwe.\'94}{\insrsid5789265\charrsid13186630 PW4 also had the opportunity to examine many other letters as written by the appellant because }{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 the contents}{\insrsid5789265\charrsid13186630 in the specimen }{\insrsid11796650\charrsid13186630 hand}{ \insrsid5789265\charrsid13186630 writing}{\insrsid11796650\charrsid13186630 (}{\b\insrsid11796650\charrsid13186630 Exh. P6}{\insrsid11796650\charrsid13186630 )}{\insrsid5789265\charrsid13186630 were }{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 some of }{ \insrsid5789265\charrsid13186630 the particulars filled in}{\insrsid15425623\charrsid13186630 to}{\insrsid5789265\charrsid13186630 the land transfer and the application for consent to transfer.}{\insrsid16060658\charrsid13186630 }{ \insrsid14313250\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid10641312\charrsid13186630 \par Turning to the competence of }{\insrsid11796650\charrsid13186630 PW4 to testify as a handwriting expert, in }{\b\insrsid2633040\charrsid13186630 Mohamed Ahmed v}{\b\insrsid12470277\charrsid13186630 .}{\b\insrsid2633040\charrsid13186630 R}{ \b\insrsid11796650\charrsid13186630 , }{\b\insrsid2633040\charrsid13186630 [1957] 1 EA 523}{\b\insrsid11796650\charrsid13186630 , }{\insrsid11796650\charrsid13186630 the Court of Appeal of }{\insrsid7233070\charrsid13186630 East Africa}{ \insrsid11796650\charrsid13186630 held}{\insrsid7233070\charrsid13186630 :}{\insrsid11796650\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid2633040\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid7233070\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri180\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin180\lin720\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\i\insrsid7233070\charrsid13186630 \'93 It is true that in Gatheru s/o Njagwara v. R. (1) (1954), 21 E. A. C. A. 384, this court said that th e competency of an expert witness should be shown before his evidence is admitted. That, however, is a rule of practice and the omission to observe it will not in all cases render the evidence inadmissible; particularly when, as in the instant case, the w itness\rquote s occupation imports a prima facie qualification and his capacity to give expert opinion is not challenged. The rule will obviously be applied more strictly in criminal proceedings than in civil ones, and the original proceedings here, though entered as a criminal cause, were more in the nature of a civil case.\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin720\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\i\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid7233070\charrsid13186630 I think that the }{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 principles}{\insrsid7233070\charrsid13186630 }{ \insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 stated }{\insrsid7233070\charrsid13186630 above can }{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 properly}{\insrsid7233070\charrsid13186630 be applied to the instant case. PW4 stated in his testimony that he had a B. Sc. Degree of Makerere University. Although the degree was in Chemistry and Geology, he also stated that he had been examining documents since 1977, a period of 29 years by the time he testified. }{\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 Given the length of time he had been employed in examining handwritings, I have no doubt that Mr. Ntarirwa was competent to examine the handwritings and signatures in this case.}{\insrsid2633040\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 \par Regarding the credibility of the witness, the Court of Appeal of East Africa held in the case of }{\b\insrsid2633040\charrsid13186630 Muzeyi v}{\b\insrsid12470277\charrsid13186630 .}{\b\insrsid2633040\charrsid13186630 Uganda}{ \b\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 , }{\b\insrsid2633040\charrsid13186630 [1971] 1 EA 225}{\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 th}{\insrsid12274474\charrsid13186630 at the credibility of the expert is to be decided b}{\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 y}{ \insrsid12274474\charrsid13186630 the court}{\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid12274474\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 but }{\insrsid12274474\charrsid13186630 lack of rebutting evidence was not a factor.}{ \insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 The province of a handwriting expert was established by the same court in the case of }{\b\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 Maulidi Abdullah Chengo v Republic}{\b\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 }{ \b\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 [1964] 1 EA 122}{\b\insrsid12470277\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid12470277\charrsid13186630 It}{\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 was held that t}{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 he most that an expert on handwriting can properly say, in an appropriate case, is that he does not believe a particular writing was by a particular person or, positively, that two writings are so similar as to be indistinguishable}{ \insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 . }{\insrsid7166760\charrsid13186630 Court}{\insrsid527637\charrsid13186630 further held that}{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 the handwriting expert should point out the partic ular features of similarity or dissimilarity between the forged signature on t}{\insrsid10641312\charrsid13186630 he }{\insrsid3810065\charrsid13186630 questioned document}{\insrsid10641312\charrsid13186630 and the specimens of }{ \insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 handwriting.}{\insrsid3810065\charrsid13186630 The court referred to }{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 a passage from the summing-up of Lord Hewart in the trial of William Henry Podmore (}{ \insrsid3810065\charrsid13186630 the}{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 Famous Trials Series)}{\insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 , which received approval of the Court of Criminal Appeal in R. v. Podmore (2)}{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 whe}{ \insrsid3810065\charrsid13186630 re}{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 he said: \par }{\insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin720\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\i\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 \'93 Let me say a word about handwriting experts. Let everyone be treated with proper respect, but the evidence of handwriting experts is sometimes rather misunderstood. A handwriting expert is not a person who tells you, this is the handwriting of such and such a man. He is a person who, habituated to the examination of handwriting, practised in the task of making minute examination of handwriting, directs the attention of others to things which he suggests are similarities. That, and no more than that, is his legitimate province.\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid7166760\charrsid13186630 That being }{\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 an }{\insrsid7166760\charrsid13186630 exposition of the duty of handwriting experts and their skill, I concluded that the habitual examination of hand writings (experience) was more important for purposes of identifying experts than their academic qualifications. The period of 27 years spent by PW4 as an examiner of documents was therefore proof that he was competent }{\insrsid8405932\charrsid13186630 and covered by s. 43 of the Evidence Act. He qualified to be an \'93}{\insrsid7166760\charrsid13186630 expert}{\insrsid8405932\charrsid13186630 \'94}{\insrsid7166760\charrsid13186630 . Further,}{\insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 the handwriting expert pointed out the similarities in the writings and then gave his opinion in the positive; that there were sufficient similarities in the writings that made him arrive at the opinion that the specimens and the two }{ \insrsid7166760\charrsid13186630 questioned }{\insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 documents were authored by the same person, i.e. the appellant.}{\insrsid7166760\charrsid13186630 This}{\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 too}{ \insrsid7166760\charrsid13186630 was in his province as was held in the case of}{\insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 }{\b\insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 N}{\b\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 guku v}{\b\insrsid7166760\charrsid13186630 .}{ \b\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 Republic}{\b\insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 }{\b\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 [2004] 1 EA 188}{\insrsid7166760\charrsid13186630 . In that case }{\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 it was}{ \insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 held that t}{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 he handwriting expert is not restricted to merely pointing out the features of similarity or dissimilarity between a forged signature and specimens of handwriting. He is }{ \insrsid10626338\charrsid13186630 also }{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 entitled to express without argument an opinion on whether two handwritings are the product of the same hand. If th e opinion is a confident one, and is not challenged in cross-examination, the court is entitled to accept the opini}{\insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 on of the expert; (}{\b\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 Onyango v}{\b\insrsid8405932\charrsid13186630 .} {\b\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 Republic [1969] EA 362}{\insrsid4595508\charrsid13186630 ,}{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 followed}{\insrsid14175180\charrsid13186630 ).}{\insrsid8858594\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid9915490\charrsid13186630 \par As an appellate court, I did not have the advantage of seeing the demeanou r of the witness when he testified but the trial magistrate believed him. She also made no comment about his demeanour so I assume he was a confident witness who could be believed by the trial magistrate. The appellant cross-examined the witness very brie fly, and not on his qualifications or the findings that he made. Cross-examination only established that the expert did not know the accused/appellant but only received documents from D/C Mulumba. His testimony was therefore very objective. \par }{\insrsid13250695\charrsid13186630 \par Having seen the specimen handwriting of the appellant contained in the three exhibits before court, I next considered the appellant\rquote s defence that he could neither read nor write. I did not think that the handwriting in }{ \b\insrsid13250695\charrsid13186630 Exh. P4, P5}{\insrsid13250695\charrsid13186630 and }{\b\insrsid13250695\charrsid13186630 P6}{\insrsid13250695\charrsid13186630 was that of a person who could not read and write because the writing in the three exhibits appeared to be distinct and had no spelling mistakes at all. It appeared to be the writing of a person who was literate or semi-literate. And though I have no experience as a handwriting expert I observed that the handwriting in the specimens was very much similar to the hand that filled in the land transfer and the application for consent to transfer. I was therefore satisfied that the appellant could not only write his name but he could ably re ad and write.}{\insrsid9915490\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid13250695\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid9915490\charrsid13186630 I therefore find that by the testimony of PW4 the prosecution proved that not only did the appellant sign his name on the transfer form but he also made the entries in the transfer form and the application for consent to transfer. The two doc uments told lies about themselves. They purported to be documents signed by Dorosi Naziwa, a person who died }{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 23 }{\insrsid9915490\charrsid13186630 years before they were}{\insrsid10626338\charrsid13186630 filed in and} {\insrsid9915490\charrsid13186630 signed. The}{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 two documents}{\insrsid9915490\charrsid13186630 induced the Registrar of Titles at Mukono to transfer the land }{\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 comprised in }{ \insrsid9915490\charrsid13186630 Kyaggwe Block 229 Plot 52 at Busabaga to the appellant who was not entitled to it. The trial magistrate therefore properly found that the appellant participated in the forgery}{\insrsid12151023\charrsid13186630 of the said documents}{\insrsid9915490\charrsid13186630 . \par }{\insrsid14313250\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid5116527\charrsid13186630 As to whether the trial magistrate considered the inconsistencies and or contradictions between the testimonies of PW1, PW2 and PW5 on the one hand, and the testimony of PW3}{\insrsid13568756\charrsid13186630 on the other,}{\insrsid5116527\charrsid13186630 the law on inconsistencies}{\insrsid8085720\charrsid13186630 in evidence }{\insrsid5116527\charrsid13186630 was re-stated in the case of }{\b\insrsid8085720\charrsid13186630 Wephukulu Nyuguli v. U}{ \b\insrsid13568756\charrsid13186630 ganda,}{\b\insrsid8085720\charrsid13186630 S}{\b\insrsid13568756\charrsid13186630 /}{\b\insrsid8085720\charrsid13186630 C Criminal Appeal No. 21 of 2001}{\insrsid8085720\charrsid13186630 (unreported)}{ \insrsid13568756\charrsid13186630 . Their Lordships of the S/C}{\insrsid8085720\charrsid13186630 held }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid8085720\charrsid13186630 that minor inconsistencies, unless they point to deliberate untruthfulness on the part of prosecution witnesses should be ignored and major ones which go to the root of the case, should be resolved in favour of the accused}{ \cs18\cf1\insrsid10094502\charrsid13186630 .}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid8085720\charrsid13186630 \par }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid10094502\charrsid13186630 \par With regard to }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid12787533\charrsid13186630 the making }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid10094502\charrsid13186630 of the will (}{\cs18\b\cf1\insrsid10094502\charrsid13186630 Exh. P1}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid10094502\charrsid13186630 ), PW1 testified that she was present when it was made and signed by Oliver Kayaga. She also said that Misango (PW2) was present but she did not recall whether the clan head }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid856216\charrsid13186630 was present. She als o said she did not }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid12787533\charrsid13186630 re}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid856216\charrsid13186630 call }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid12787533\charrsid13186630 all }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid856216\charrsid13186630 the people who were present and witnessed the will. PW2 said that Kigonya (PW3}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 )}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid856216\charrsid13186630 was present and he signed the will. However, PW5 said nothing about witnesses to Kayaga \rquote s will in his testimony. It is therefore not true that all three witnesses said that PW3 was a witness to the will.}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid11609232\charrsid13186630 However, the will was admitted in evidence and it showed that C. S Kigonya}{ \cs18\cf1\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 (PW3)}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid11609232\charrsid13186630 }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 signed it as }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid11609232\charrsid13186630 a witness. The will was made in 1992 }{ \cs18\cf1\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 while }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid11609232\charrsid13186630 the witness testified in 2006}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 , 14 years later}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid11609232\charrsid13186630 .}{ \cs18\cf1\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 PW3 was not shown the will to refresh his memory.}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid11609232\charrsid13186630 A long time had gone by since}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 the will}{ \cs18\cf1\insrsid11609232\charrsid13186630 was made}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 , sufficient for the witness to forget what happened on the day it was executed}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid11609232\charrsid13186630 . He also did not appear to }{ \cs18\cf1\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 have told a}{\cs18\cf1\insrsid11609232\charrsid13186630 deliberate lie about the will. I therefore find }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 that }{\cs18\cf1\insrsid11609232\charrsid13186630 t his inconsistency in the evidence adduced was minor and therefore immaterial, given the whole body of evidence above that was adduced against the appellant.}{\insrsid10094502\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid12790471\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid2451179\charrsid13186630 The next }{\insrsid11216682\charrsid13186630 question}{\insrsid2451179\charrsid13186630 that must }{\insrsid13250695\charrsid13186630 be }{\insrsid2451179\charrsid13186630 address}{\insrsid13250695\charrsid13186630 ed}{ \insrsid2451179\charrsid13186630 is }{\insrsid11216682\charrsid13186630 whether }{\insrsid2451179\charrsid13186630 the }{\insrsid12075351\charrsid13186630 trial magistrate }{\insrsid11216682\charrsid13186630 took}{\insrsid12075351\charrsid13186630 the appellant\rquote s defence into consideration in her evaluation of the evidence.}{\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 On the 2}{\super\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 nd}{\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 page of her judgment the trial magistrate considered the evidence of the appellant and his co-accused and she noted as follows:}{\insrsid12075351\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin720\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\i\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 \'93The defence evidence by A1 is that A2 is the one who gave him vacant transfer forms which he signed. However the transfer form Exh. P10, (sic) that the application for consent to transfer Exh. P11 and application for a duplicate certificate of title did not bear his signature. That he later got from A2 a Certific ate of title in his (A1\rquote s) names. He was not the one who took the forms to the land off}{\i\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 ice}{\i\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 . He does not recall when Dorothy Naziwa died.\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\i\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 On page 3 of the judgment she analysed the }{\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 defence of both }{\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 accused }{\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 persons }{\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 vis-\'e0-vis th}{\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 e evidence}{\insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 adduced by the prosecution}{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 . She pointed out}{\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 that PW1, PW2 and PW4 testified that Naziwa died in 1982. Also that }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 the appellant}{\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 said he did not recall when Naziwa}{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 died. Further that}{ \insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 his co-accused made no mention }{\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 at }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 all of Naziwa}{\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 in his defence. }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 That}{ \insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 the appellant said he signed }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 blank }{\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 transfer forms in the presence of his co-accused and DW3 (his wife). That PW4\rquote s evidence and }{ \b\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 Exh. P8}{\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 showed that the author of }{\b\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 Exh. P9}{\insrsid15039949\charrsid13186630 was the same as the author of the specimen }{ \insrsid10295530\charrsid13186630 handwritings which had been submitted to a handwriting expert. She then concluded that Naziwa could not have signed the transfer because she was }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 already }{ \insrsid10295530\charrsid13186630 dead by the time it was signed. That as a result it was a forged instrument. }{\insrsid9393702\charrsid13186630 Further}{\insrsid10295530\charrsid13186630 that the appellant\rquote s testimony that he did not write }{ \b\insrsid10295530\charrsid13186630 Exh. P9}{\insrsid10295530\charrsid13186630 had been rebutted by the prosecution. She }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 then }{\insrsid10295530\charrsid13186630 concluded that the appellant forged the transfer and she exonerated his co-accused.}{\insrsid13971015\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 Having found so, I reiterate that}{\insrsid13971015\charrsid13186630 , I agree with the trial magistrate entirely and }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 also }{\insrsid13971015\charrsid13186630 find that she properly evaluated the appellant\rquote s defence before she convicted him as charged.}{ \insrsid1010858\charrsid13186630 \par \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\faauto\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid13186630 {\b\ul\insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 Ground 2}{\b\ul\insrsid12075351\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 With regard to the complaint that the sentence of 5 years imposed on the accused was excessive, I will start by observing that the maximum sentence for forgery under s. 348(1) CPA is imprisonment for life, and the trial magistrate appears to have take}{\insrsid9322249\charrsid13186630 n}{\insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 that }{\insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 into consideration. She also considered that the appellant wasted }{ \insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 a lot of }{\insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 court}{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 \rquote }{\insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 s time }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 because }{\insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 the trial took 3 years to complete. }{\insrsid13304021\charrsid13186630 \par \par }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 However, though }{\insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 it was drawn to her attention that the appellant had served a previous sentence and was therefore not a first }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 time }{ \insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 offender, she ruled that she would consider him a first time offender because the prosecution did not provide court with the particulars of the previous charges.}{\insrsid13304021\charrsid13186630 I found this rather strange because during the course of his trial, the record showed that on 11/10/2007, court noted that the accused was a convict serving a sentence of one year at Luzira Prison. The appellant admitted this and informed court that he had by then served 3 \'bd months of his sentence. The court then made an order that he be transferred from Luzira Prison to Kauga Prison to facilitate his trial in this case. I was therefore satisfied that though the particular offence he had been convicted of was not specified, the appellant was already a convict }{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 when he was convicted in this case}{\insrsid13304021\charrsid13186630 .}{\insrsid7343662\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid13304021\charrsid13186630 \par It was argued for the appellant that court should have considered the fact that he was a married man with children to support. However, that is common to most accused persons and serves no useful purpose in mitig ation. It was also argued that the court did not take it into consideration that he had been on remand before conviction.}{\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 Counsel then urged this court to consider that appellant had served 2 years of the sentence and should be released.}{\insrsid3029216\charrsid13186630 I thought that the trial magistrate considered all these factors before arriving at the sentence. I say so especially because though the maximum sentence was life imprisonment the appellant got off with only 5 years.}{\insrsid13304021\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 \par I }{\insrsid15346495\charrsid13186630 then went on to }{\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 consider Ms. Nabisenke\rquote s complaint, though not a formal appeal, that the trial magistrate was }{\insrsid15346495\charrsid13186630 very }{ \insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 lenient in this case in spite of the evidence }{\insrsid15346495\charrsid13186630 on }{\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 record of the appellant\rquote s antecedents and I thought it was justified. S. 34 of the Criminal Procedure Code Act lays down the powers of an appellate court and in particular, s.34 (2) (b) and (}{\insrsid15346495\charrsid13186630 c}{\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 ) provide that the appellate court may}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 alter the finding and find the appellant guilty of another offence, maintaining the sentence, or with or without altering the finding, reduce or increase the sentence by imposing any sentence provided by law for the offence; or with or without any reduction or increase and with or without altering the finding, alter the nature of the sentence. \par \par In }{\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 Mugasa Joseph v. Uganda, C/A Criminal Appeal 241 of 2003}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 , the court observed that the DPP did not appeal against the sentence of the appellant but the 1}{\lang1033\langfe1033\super\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 st}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 appellate court had similar powers to those of the trial court. The court enhanced a sentence of 17 years that had been awarded to the appellant on an indictment for defilement of his nephew to 25 years. }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid15346495\charrsid13186630 Having observed that the High Court has similar powers to the Court of Appeal, }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6684820\charrsid13186630 I am constrained to point out that}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 the offence of forging titles is rampart in this country}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6684820\charrsid13186630 . It }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 has made }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6684820\charrsid13186630 all }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 Registries of }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid931024\charrsid13186630 Titles}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6684820\charrsid13186630 in the different locations in the country}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 suspect and inefficient}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid931024\charrsid13186630 . It has also caused innocent land owners untold misery and financial loss.}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6684820\charrsid13186630 The}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 appellant herein }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid931024\charrsid13186630 therefore }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 ought to be given a more stringent sentence to deter him and others that might be planning to forge titles }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid931024\charrsid13186630 from doing so}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 . }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid931024\charrsid13186630 \par \par In conclusion, this appeal fails on all grounds. }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 I }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid931024\charrsid13186630 also hereby}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid2376022\charrsid13186630 set aside the sentence of 5 years imprisonment and substitute it with a sentence of 10}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 years in prison.}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid15862911\charrsid13186630 The appellant is informed that he has a right to appeal against the }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid931024\charrsid13186630 substituted }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid15862911\charrsid13186630 sentence}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid931024\charrsid13186630 . \par \par \par \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid931024\charrsid13186630 Irene Mulyagonja Kakooza \par JUDGE \par 2/09/2010}{\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid15862911\charrsid13186630 }{\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 \par }{\insrsid7410292\charrsid13186630 \par }}