[2006] UGCA 9

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{\field{\*\fldinst {\cs19\insrsid13570349 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs19\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid13570349 1}}}{\cs19\insrsid13570349 \par }\pard \s18\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4153\tqr\tx8306\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid13570349 \par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid1333600\charrsid1333600 THE REPU}{\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 BLIC OF UGANDA \par }\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF UGANDA \par AT KAMPALA \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\b\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\b\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 CORAM:\tab HON. JUSTICE A. E. N. MPAGI-BAHIGEINE, JA. \par \tab \tab HON. JUSTICE C. N. B. KITUMBA, JA. \par \tab \tab HON. JUSTICE C. K. BYAMUGISHA, JA. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\b\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par }\pard\plain \s1\qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 229 OF 2003

\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par ENOCK KATOMA ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: APPELLANT \par }\pard\plain \s1\qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 VERSUS \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 UGANDA :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: RESPONDENT \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\b\i\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 [Appeal from the sentence of the High of Uganda sitting at Fort Portal \par (Zehurikize, J.) dated 27/11/2002 in Criminal Session Case No. 40 of 2002]}{\b\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\b\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par \par }\pard\plain \s2\ql \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\fs28\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 JUDGEMENT OF THE COURT}{ \b0\fs24\ulnone\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par }\pard\plain \s16\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 This is an appeal with leave of this court, against the sentence of 10 years imprisonment which was imposed on Enock Katoma, the appellant after pleading guilty to the offence of indictment contrary to section 129 (1) of the Penal Code Act. \par }\pard\plain \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par The following is the background to the appeal. On 7/9/2001 the appellant went to Musinguzi Stephen, the victim\rquote s father and requested him to allow his two daughters to assist him collect his potatoes. The father obliged and the victim together with he r sister went to the garden to help the appellant. When the three were in the garden the appellant led the victim to the bush and defiled her. The victim made an alar}{\fs24\insrsid5404745 m but nobody came to her help. }{ \fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 The victim reported the matter to her father who in turn reported to the local authorities. The appellant was arrested and taken to the police. \par \par }\pard\plain \s21\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 On 13/9/2001 the victim was medically examined. She was found to be 11 years old, and her hymen had been ruptured more than a week back. There was a vaginal yellowis h pus discharge suggestive of gonorrhoea. The appellant was examined on 19/9/2001 and was found mentally normal and was aged 40 years. \par }\pard\plain \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par On indictment for defilement the appellant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. His appeal to this court is on one ground which reads thus:- \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0 \b\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \'93 That the sentence of 10 years for such an appellant who had shown remorse and pleaded guilty was harsh.\'94 \par }\pard\plain \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par During the trial the appellant was represented by learned counsel Mr. Samuel Seguya. Ms Sarah Kerwegi , learned Senior State attorney appeared for the respondent. Arguing the sole ground of appeal the Mr. Seguya submitted that the sentence of 10 years imprisonment was excessive in view of the fact that the appellant had pleaded guilty and was remorseful. He prayed court to reduce the sentence to 5 years imprisonment. \par \par The learned Senior State Attorney did not agree. She contended that the appellant committed a grave offence. The circumstances of the offence had also to be considered. The appellant aged 40 years requested for the assistance by the victim and her sister from their father but instead defiled a small girl of only 11 years. She prayed court to dismiss the appeal. \par \par Sentencing is within the discretion of the trial judge. The appellate court would only interfere with the sentence if it is illegal manifestly law, harsh or excessive as to occasion a miscarriage of justice. \par \par In the instant appeal the learned trial judge took into account all }{\fs24\insrsid1333600\charrsid1333600 relevant factors}{\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 before passing the sentence. The record reads thus: \par \par }\pard\plain \s17\qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0 \b\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \'93 It is true that the convict has pleased guilty thereby saving court\rquote s time. But he committed a serious offence which carries maximum sentence of death. He betrayed his friend the father of victim and also abused the good behaviour of tha t child who innocently thought she was going to render help to a man whom she regarded as a father. It appears he infected her with venereal disease after tricking and forcing her into sex. \par \par I have considered the fact that the convict is a first offender and have also taken into account the time he has been on remand. I consider the term of ten years imprisonment appropriate. He is thus sentenced to serve a term of 10 years imprisonment. \'94}{\fs24\insrsid6060408 \par }{\b0\fs24\insrsid5404745\charrsid1333600 \par }\pard \s17\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\b0\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 We see no good reason to interfere with the sentence passed, whic h we too consider was very lenient. The appeal is dismissed. \par }\pard \s17\ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 Dated at Kampala this 6}{\fs24\super\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 th}{\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 day of February 2006. \par \par }\pard \s17\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 A. E. N. Mpagi-Bahigeine \par JUSTICE OF APPEAL \par \par \par C. N. B. Kitumba \par JUSTICE OF APPEAL \par \par \par C. K. Byamugisha \par JUSTICE OF APPEAL \par }\pard \s17\ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\b0\fs24\insrsid6060408\charrsid1333600 \par }}