[2008] UGHC 98

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\jclisttab\tx6480\lin6480 }{\listname ;}\listid1185559942}}{\*\listoverridetable{\listoverride\listid1185559942\listoverridecount0\ls1}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid94194\rsid550148\rsid608108\rsid1638688\rsid1641980\rsid1852155\rsid2170357\rsid2234327\rsid3163000 \rsid3869720\rsid4459974\rsid4791279\rsid5459594\rsid5780106\rsid5924226\rsid6095181\rsid6160451\rsid6497086\rsid7031403\rsid7088692\rsid7166151\rsid7502249\rsid8157371\rsid8745631\rsid9069217\rsid9111981\rsid10303997\rsid10371919\rsid10618531 \rsid10695899\rsid11037117\rsid11622349\rsid11887963\rsid11894263\rsid12011221\rsid12082307\rsid12210089\rsid12329200\rsid12657386\rsid12662139\rsid13527350\rsid13781001\rsid13971056\rsid14106398\rsid14296634\rsid14513367\rsid15019777\rsid15335820 \rsid15348621\rsid15882394\rsid16402990\rsid16452312}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\author Everlyn}{\operator jchemeri}{\creatim\yr2009\mo8\dy19\hr11\min29}{\revtim\yr2009\mo8\dy19\hr11\min29}{\version2} {\edmins0}{\nofpages7}{\nofwords2104}{\nofchars11999}{\nofcharsws14075}{\vern24689}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1 \dgvshow1\jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct \asianbrkrule\rsidroot11622349\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid3869720 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid3869720 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql 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{\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 \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14513367 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT GULU \par HCT \endash 02 \endash CV \endash CA \endash 0024 \endash 2004 \par ( Arising from Chief Magistrate\rquote s Court}{\b\insrsid7088692\charrsid2234327 ; Gulu Civil Suit No. }{\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 096/2003) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14513367 {\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \par }{\b\insrsid5924226\charrsid2234327 }{\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 DR. MARTIN OK}{\b\insrsid7502249\charrsid2234327 OT NWANG::::::}{\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 ::::}{\b\insrsid5924226\charrsid2234327 : APPELLANT}{ \b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14513367 {\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 VERSUS \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-360\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid14513367 { \b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 AUGUSTIN ODONG \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}LAMSON KILAMA RONALDO \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}FLORENCE LANYERO \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 4.\tab}EVALYN LANYERO \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 5.\tab}PAUL ODINGA \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 6.\tab}LAWERI ALERO \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 7.\tab}ROSE ARYEMO \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 8.\tab}RICHARD OMONA ::::::::::::::::::RESPONDENTS \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14513367 {\b\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5924226 {\b\ul\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 BEFORE: HON. JUSTICE REMMY KASULE \par \par JUDGMENT \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5924226 {\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \par \tab \tab The appellant being aggrieved with the judgment dated 26.08.2004 of the learned Chief Magistrate, Gulu, (His Worship Silver Cohens Okullo) in original Civil Suit Number 96/2003 appealed to this court. }{\insrsid7088692\charrsid2234327 \par }\pard \qj \fi720\li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7088692 {\insrsid7088692\charrsid2234327 }{\insrsid12210089\charrsid2234327 The}{\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 dispute in the suit was ownership of land as between the }{\insrsid12210089\charrsid2234327 appellant (}{\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 plaintiff) and respondents}{\insrsid7088692\charrsid2234327 (}{\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 defendants}{ \insrsid7088692\charrsid2234327 )}{\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 of the suit land at industrial area Sub-ward, Library Parish, Layibi Division, Gulu District, measuring about 3 acres. The dispute involves about half the size of the land. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5924226 {\insrsid7502249\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab The appeal is on eight (8) grounds. Grounds one (1), two (2), three (3) and five (5) cover one issue; namely: whether or not the sale of the suit land by one Alen}{\insrsid5924226\charrsid2234327 s}{\insrsid7502249\charrsid2234327 io Obina, brother of appellant, to the respondents was lawful. The fourth (4) and seventh (7) grounds deal with the issue of whether or not the trial Chief Magistrate erred in not awarding damage s and costs to the appellant against respondents generally, and in particular against the first respondent. Grounds six (6) and eight (8) }{\insrsid7088692\charrsid2234327 are to the effect }{\insrsid7502249\charrsid2234327 that the learned Chief Magistrate erred in failing to properly evaluate the evidence before him, thus coming to a wrong conclusion.}{\insrsid11622349\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid12011221\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab It follows therefore that in this judgment grounds one (1), two (2), three (3) and five (5) will be dealt with together and first, followed by grounds four (4) and seven (7) together and end with grounds six (6) and eight (8) also together. \par \tab \tab }{\insrsid16452312\charrsid2234327 With regard to the issue in the first set of grounds, namely whether or not the sale of the suit land by one Alen}{\insrsid5924226\charrsid2234327 s}{\insrsid16452312\charrsid2234327 io Obina to the respondents was lawful, the evidence adduced before the trial court by PW2 (Alen}{\insrsid5924226\charrsid2234327 s}{\insrsid16452312\charrsid2234327 io Obina) PW3 (Oloka Ki koya Naptali), DW2 (Kilama Ronaldo) DW3 (Lanyero Florence) DW4 (Evalyn Lanyero), DW6 (Lawino Alero), DW7 (Rose Aryemo), DW8 (Omona Richard), DW9 Karla Olana and DW10 (Otti Jino) was to the effect that the suit land was sold to the respondents by Alen}{ \insrsid5924226\charrsid2234327 s}{\insrsid16452312\charrsid2234327 io Obina, brother of the appellant but also with knowledge and consent of other ben}{\insrsid6160451\charrsid2234327 eficiaries of the said land.}{\insrsid12011221\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid6160451\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab The evidence also established that the suit land had been customarily owned by the grand father of both appellant and Alensio Obina one Severino Olum Nwang since 1936 up to 1965, when}{ \insrsid13971056\charrsid2234327 the}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 said }{\insrsid13971056\charrsid2234327 grand father died. The ownership of the suit land then }{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 passed over }{\insrsid13971056\charrsid2234327 to one Paul Ongom, from 1965 up to when he }{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 too }{\insrsid13971056\charrsid2234327 died in 1991.}{\insrsid6160451\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid13971056\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab }{\insrsid14106398\charrsid2234327 The said Paul Ongom was the biological father of the appellant and appellant\rquote s brother, Alensio Obina}{\insrsid1638688\charrsid2234327 , PW2, the appellant being older to Alensio Obina. The late Paul }{\insrsid7166151\charrsid2234327 O}{\insrsid1638688\charrsid2234327 ngom, apart from the appellant and Alensio Obina, was also survived by his wife, the widow and mother of appellant and Alensio Obina, one Lucy Lamaro, one Okello Martha}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 daughter and sister to appellant, }{ \insrsid1638688\charrsid2234327 and Onyee Santo and Matia Okello,}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 sons and }{\insrsid1638688\charrsid2234327 brothers}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 to appellant}{\insrsid1638688\charrsid2234327 , all of mature age.} {\insrsid13971056\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid1638688\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab }{\insrsid16402990\charrsid2234327 From the evidence on record, the appellant works in Kampala, and only comes to the land now and then in the course of the year. Appellant has some semi }{ \insrsid7166151\charrsid2234327 permanent}{\insrsid16402990\charrsid2234327 structures on part of the suit land. }{\insrsid1638688\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid2170357\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab However, PW3, Alensio Obina, the widow: Lucy Lamaro}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 , when still alive, and }{\insrsid2170357\charrsid2234327 Okello Martha, more or less stay on the land on a day}{ \insrsid9111981\charrsid2234327 today basis.}{\insrsid2170357\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid9111981\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab The estate of Paul Ongom, remained witho ut a formal administrator issued with Letters of Administration granted by court from 1991, when he died, up to 2003, when the appellant, was issued by court with a grant of Letters of Administration. \par \tab \tab From 1991 up to 2003, PW2, Alensio Obina, sold and allowed the respondents to settle on the suit land. There is no evidence that the widow, while still alive, and the sister}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 of appellant}{ \insrsid9111981\charrsid2234327 , Martha Okello, ever objected to the sale or settle}{\insrsid8157371\charrsid2234327 me}{\insrsid9111981\charrsid2234327 nt of any}{\insrsid8157371\charrsid2234327 of the respondents on the suit land. The evidence that was adduced is that in some instance they }{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 even }{\insrsid8157371\charrsid2234327 participated in the actual sale and settlement of third parties to the suit land. For example,}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 the}{\insrsid8157371\charrsid2234327 widow, in respect of DW2: Kilama Ronald, widow and }{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 Martha Okello }{\insrsid8157371\charrsid2234327 in respect of DW3: Lanyero Florence, }{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 also }{\insrsid8157371\charrsid2234327 sister}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 to appellant}{\insrsid8157371\charrsid2234327 in respect of DW7: Rose Aryemo, and}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 again the widow}{\insrsid8157371\charrsid2234327 in respect of DW9: Karla Olana.}{\insrsid9111981\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid8157371\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab }{\insrsid12662139\charrsid2234327 In his own evidence, Appellant admitted in the court below that he got Letters of Administration, twelve years after the death of his father. This}{ \insrsid1641980\charrsid2234327 was in 2003. }{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 H}{\insrsid1641980\charrsid2234327 e raised the matter of respondents being on the suit land with the L. C.s in August and October, 2002, yet he first discovered the trespass in 1998.}{\insrsid8157371\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid1852155\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab It is submitted for the appellant that the respondents\rquote buying and settling on the suit land was illegal as whoever sold to them had no Letters of Administration to the estate of the late Paul Ongom. There}{\insrsid5924226\charrsid2234327 f}{\insrsid1852155\charrsid2234327 ore the respondents acquired their interests in the suit land in contravention of section 268 of the Succession Act, Cap.162, and section 11 of the Administrator General\rquote s Act, Cap 157. \par \tab \tab }{\insrsid13527350\charrsid2234327 The learned Chief Magistrate}{\insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 evaluated the evidence before him }{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 on this point }{\insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 and found that:-}{ \insrsid1852155\charrsid2234327 \par }\pard \qj \li1440\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid5924226 {\b\insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 \'93 ..........................the defendants as purchasers had to inquire about the ownership of the land before buying th e same. In the instant case, the transaction were by Alensio, In the presence of his mother and sister at most times all the defendants had not known the plaintiff by then. These three people are the beneficiaries of the estate of Paulo Ongom. I do not think any other conduct of enquiry could establish better who was/were the owners of the suit land\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5924226 {\insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab This court finds that the learned Chief Magistrate, on the evidence before him, was right to come to the above conclusion. \par \tab \tab Being a first appellate court th}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 i}{\insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 s court is entitled to review all the evidence adduced at trial and determine whether or not the conclusions reached b}{ \insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 y}{\insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 the trial court are supported by the evidence adduced and the law as applied to that evidence; of course, being conscious, all along, that th}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 is}{ \insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 court did not have the opportunity to see and assess the demeanour of}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 the}{\insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 witnesses at trial: see }{\b\insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 High Court, at Gulu Civil Appeal No. 11 of 2006 the Seventh Day Adventist Association of Uganda vs The Registered Trustees of Lira Diocese. \par }{\insrsid12329200\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab On re-evaluating the whole}{\insrsid12657386\charrsid2234327 evidence that was placed before the trial Chief Magistrate, this court finds that the respondents acquired interests in the suit land with the knowledge, consent and participation and /or acquiescence of the majority, if not all, }{ \insrsid6497086\charrsid2234327 the beneficiaries of the estate of the late Paul Ongom during the }{\insrsid7031403\charrsid2234327 years 1993 to 1999. }{\insrsid94194\charrsid2234327 In}{\insrsid7031403\charrsid2234327 the purchase transactions, one ALensio Obina (PW2), brother}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 , as well as }{\insrsid7031403\charrsid2234327 the mother and sister}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 s}{\insrsid7031403\charrsid2234327 of }{ \insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 appellant }{\insrsid7031403\charrsid2234327 participated in executing the same}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 transactions}{\insrsid7031403\charrsid2234327 . These were}{\insrsid14296634\charrsid2234327 together with appellant}{\insrsid7031403\charrsid2234327 the main beneficiaries of the estate of late Paul Ongom. The appellant must be taken to have had knowledge and acquiesced in these transactions because he did not do anything to protest against the same since the death of the late Paul Ongom. Yet those who bought put up structures by way of grass }{\insrsid94194\charrsid2234327 thatched houses on the suit land. Even in 1998, when the appellant admits he saw what was going on he did nothing about the matter. It is only in 2002/2003 when he }{\insrsid10371919\charrsid2234327 took the matter to th e local councils and then to court. }{\insrsid4459974\charrsid2234327 This}{\insrsid10371919\charrsid2234327 was more than ten (10) years ago since the death of late Paul Ongom, and when the respondents started settling on the suit land.}{ \insrsid12329200\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid10371919\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab By so acting, the appellant must be taken to}{\insrsid3163000\charrsid2234327 }{\insrsid10371919\charrsid2234327 have made the public, including the re spondents, believe that the beneficiaries of the estate of late Paul Ongom, namely Alensio Obina, (son) the widow and daughter}{\insrsid11894263\charrsid2234327 s}{\insrsid10371919\charrsid2234327 had been authorized}{\insrsid3163000\charrsid2234327 to sell and settle}{\insrsid10371919\charrsid2234327 the }{\insrsid3163000\charrsid2234327 respondents on the suit land. The appellant was thus }{\insrsid4459974\charrsid2234327 e}{\insrsid3163000\charrsid2234327 stopped in 2002/2003 to deny the truth of this in terms of section 114 of the Evidence Act which provides that:- }{\insrsid10371919\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid4459974\charrsid2234327 \tab }{\b\insrsid4459974\charrsid2234327 \'93 114. Estoppel. \par }\pard \qj \fi720\li1440\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid15019777 {\b\insrsid4459974\charrsid2234327 When one person has, by his or her declaration, act or omission, intentionally caused or permitted another person to believe a thing to be true and to ac t upon that belief, neither he or she nor his or her representative shall be allowed, in any suit or proceeding between himself or herself and that person or his or her representative, to deny the truth of that thing.\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5924226 {\insrsid4459974\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab It is the finding of t}{\insrsid15019777\charrsid2234327 h}{\insrsid4459974\charrsid2234327 is court, in agreement with the learned trial Chief Magistrate, that the appellant having conducted himself in such a way that amounted}{\insrsid11887963\charrsid2234327 to acquiescence and/or approval and consent to the respondents acquisition by purchase or otherwise of the suit land from }{\insrsid5459594\charrsid2234327 beneficiaries}{\insrsid11887963\charrsid2234327 of the estate of late Paul Ongom, during a period of ten (10) or more years, the appellant was estopped in 2002/2003 from disputing the respondents respective interests in the suit land.}{\insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 \tab }{ \insrsid5459594\charrsid2234327 \par \tab \tab Court therefore finds that the sale of the suit land by Alensio Obina, with the consent, knowledge approval and participation of the other beneficiaries of the estate, and with the acquiescence of the appellant, was lawful. Therefo}{ \insrsid5780106\charrsid2234327 r}{\insrsid5459594\charrsid2234327 e the interests of the respondents in the suit land cannot now be denied and or defea ted by the appellant. He is instead, as administrator of the estate of the late Paul Ongom, duty bound to give effect to the same, in the course of administering the said estate. \par \tab \tab Grounds one (1)}{\insrsid5780106\charrsid2234327 , two (2), three (3) and five (5) of the Memorandum of appeal therefore fail.}{\insrsid13781001\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid5780106\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab As to the fourth (4}{\insrsid11894263\charrsid2234327 )}{\insrsid5780106\charrsid2234327 and seventh (7) grounds it is submitted that the trial court ought to have awarded damages and costs to the appellant against the respondents. \par \tab \tab Specifically with regard to the first respondent, Augustine Odong, w ho told the trial court that he was prepared to vacate the land and court ordered that he vacates the land, the record of proceedings shows that he maintained throughout that he had been wrongly sued. He sated:- \par }\pard \qj \li1440\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid11894263 {\b\insrsid608108\charrsid2234327 \'93What I know is that she plaintiff has no case against me. I can arrange to have the plaintiff \rquote s land if he tells me to do so. I have never bought any land from any body. I only knew Lucy Lamaro. I paid her shs. 180,000/= but she refunded the money to me. She used the money for hospital treatm ent as she was sick and she refunded it to me. }{\b\insrsid10695899\charrsid2234327 The land is for Lamaro. I have no objection to leave it.\'94}{\b\insrsid608108\charrsid2234327 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5924226 {\insrsid10695899\charrsid2234327 Lucy Lamaro}{\insrsid11894263\charrsid2234327 , as widow,}{\insrsid10695899\charrsid2234327 was one of the beneficiaries of the estate of the late Paul Ongom. She therefore}{\insrsid10303997\charrsid2234327 must have had her share in the suit land. A pparently she gave this land to the first respondent as security for repaying the shs 180,000/= she had borrowed from the first respondent when she was sick and needed money for medical treatment. She later repaid the money and first respondent no longer had interest in the land.}{\insrsid15335820\charrsid2234327 \par \tab \tab Though the learned Chief Magistrate, did not specifically state so, it can be inferred that, given the facts of the case, he came to the conclusion that this was a case where damages}{\insrsid10695899\charrsid2234327 }{ \insrsid15335820\charrsid2234327 could not be awarded against the first respondent. He also used his discretion not to award costs against the first respondent.}{\insrsid10695899\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid4791279\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab On a review of the whole evidence, this court finds that the learned Chief Magistrate on the facts reached the proper conclusion both on the issue of general damages and costs as far as the first respondent is concerned. \par \tab \tab As regards the rest of the respondents, the trial court found, and this court has upheld that finding, that each of these respondents}{\insrsid8745631\charrsid2234327 had legitimately acquired interest in the suit land}{ \insrsid11894263\charrsid2234327 with knowledge, consent and/or acquiescence of the beneficiaries of the estate of late Paul ongom, appellant inclusive,}{\insrsid8745631\charrsid2234327 and that none was a trespasser to the land. Having so found and held, there was no basis for awarding damages to the appellant against the }{\insrsid15019777\charrsid2234327 respondents: Equally}{\insrsid8745631\charrsid2234327 , the appellant\rquote s suit having been dismissed, the respondents were entitled to costs under section 27 of the Civil Procedure Act.}{\insrsid4791279\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid8745631\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab The fourth (4) and seventh (7) grounds of appeal also fail. \par \tab \tab }{\insrsid15882394\charrsid2234327 The sixth (6) and eight (8) grounds are to the effect that the learned Chief Magistrate erred in failing to properly evaluate the evidence before him, thus coming to the wrong conclusion.}{ \insrsid8745631\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid15882394\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab It was submitted for the appellant that though the respondents did not specifically plead that they bought the }{\insrsid11894263\charrsid2234327 land, they were allowed to give}{ \insrsid15882394\charrsid2234327 evidence to that effect and that this was wrong. \par \tab \tab }{\insrsid10618531\charrsid2234327 In their written statement of defen}{\insrsid15019777\charrsid2234327 c}{\insrsid10618531\charrsid2234327 e the respondents denied being trespassers on the suit land and that they lawfully settled on the suit land.}{\insrsid15882394\charrsid2234327 \par }{\insrsid10618531\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab There was no demand by the appellant of further and bet}{\insrsid12082307\charrsid2234327 t}{\insrsid10618531\charrsid2234327 er particulars from the respondents as to how they came to be lawfully on the s}{ \insrsid12082307\charrsid2234327 u}{\insrsid10618531\charrsid2234327 it land. \par }{\insrsid12082307\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab It is also significant that in the summary of evidence of the respondents, under \'93List of documents\'94 it is stated as one of the documents to be relied upon\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li2160\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin2160\itap0\pararsid15019777 {\b\insrsid15019777\charrsid2234327 \'93sale}{\b\insrsid12082307\charrsid2234327 Agreement and/or Letters of Authority or consent to settle on the land by the land owner, Obina Alensio and Lucy Lamaro\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5924226 {\insrsid12082307\charrsid2234327 \tab \tab It is therefore not entirely correct to assert that the respondents\rquote pleadings did not bring out he issue of their having come to the suit land through purchase. \par \tab \tab Given the nature of pleadings, filed in the case, and the failure to demand for better particulars on the part of the appellant, at the tr}{\insrsid11894263\charrsid2234327 ial }{\insrsid12082307\charrsid2234327 stage, there is no basis to hold that the respondents ought not to have been allowed to give evidence showing that they acquired the suit land through purchase. \par \tab \tab This court finds that the learned trial Chief Magistrate went to great lengths to analyse, consider and evaluate the evidence adduced befo}{\insrsid15019777\charrsid2234327 r}{\insrsid12082307\charrsid2234327 e him, and that the conclusions he reached were as a result of careful evaluation and consideration of such evidence. \par \tab \tab It is thus not correct to assert that the learned Chief Magistrate failed in evaluating and considering the evidence before him. This court also finds that there were no erroneous conclusions reached by the learned Chief Magistrate. \par \tab \tab All the grounds of appeal having failed, this appeal also fails. The same stands dismissed with costs to the respondents. \par \par }{\insrsid12210089\charrsid2234327 \par \par \par }{\insrsid12082307\charrsid2234327 .............................. \par Remmy Kasule \par Judge \par 5}{\super\insrsid12082307\charrsid2234327 th}{\insrsid12082307\charrsid2234327 September, 2008. \par }}