[2005] UGHC 35

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\s15\ql \li0\ri360\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid11302445 \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 \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA \par \par }\pard\plain \s1\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid11302445 CIVIL APPEAL NO. 53 OF 1999 \par }\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 \par (Arising from Civil Suit No. 906/98 at Mengo) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 \par \par FLORENCE NEEZA ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: APPELLANT \par \par }\pard\plain \s2\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid11302445 VERSUS \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 HIGHLAND AGRICULTURE EXPORT LTD :::::::::::::: RESPONDENT \par \par }\pard\plain \s3\ql \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid11302445 BEFORE: THE HON. MR. JUSTICE R. O. OKUMU WENGI \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 \par \par }{\b\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 JUDGMENT: \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 This is an appeal against the ruling of the Chief Magistrate Mengo whereby he ruled that a suit filed to claim Shs 3.7 million plus interest at 30% was within his jurisdiction to}{\insrsid11302445 }{\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 try. In his ruling the learned chief Magistrate was of the view that since interest under S.26 CPA was applicable he was not bound to consider the claim as being larger than what was stated in the plaint. I have read the written submission s of both counsel on the matter. I have also considered the decision in }{\b\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 Allan Waligo Vs Arvind}{\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 }{\b\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 Patel}{\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 Civil Revision No. 6 of 2002, where a decree of principal sum of Shs 4.6 million plus interest of Shs 29 million was regarded to be without jurisdiction. I agree with counsel for the Respondent that the question of interest prior to the filing of the suit is part of the substantive law of contract and that section 26 of the CPA whereby interest is stated to be discretionary refers to interest after filing

and or after judgment. However I am of the view that the issue in the case is whether or not the Plaintiff could recover Shs 3.7 million from the Chief Magistrates court. This is so. Secondly another issue is whether the Chief Magistrate can deal with the question of the 30% interest on that sum. See also }{\b\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 UCB Vs Yolamu Twaha}{\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 No. 16/98. It is my considered view that a percentage is clearly a percentage. It is not a figure of quantum but of percentage. In other words there is nothing wrong with the Chi ef Magistrate dealing with the claim and determining whether it is made out and he decrees the principal sum. I would even say he will be able to express the percentage of interest in his decree but without mentioning the figure. In short, while the Chi e f Magistrate would not decree the large sum he is perfectly able to adjudicate this claim and desist from exceeding his jurisdiction. My view is that claims of this nature should be dealt with expeditiously by the lowest possible court. When the questio n of the decree arises and execution comes that is another matter. In the result this appeal is dismissed and the file is sent back to the trial Magistrate to deal with the claim for Shs 3.7 million as it is well within his power to decree the principal s um claimed. The costs of this appeal will be paid by the appellant. \par \par \par \par R. O. Okumu Wengi \par }\pard\plain \s4\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel3\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f1\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid11302445 JUDGE \par }\pard\plain \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 28/11/2005. \par \par \par }{\b\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 30/11/2005 \par }{\f1\fs28\insrsid11302445 Arvind Patel in person for Respondent \par None for Appellant \par Senabulya Court Clerk. \par \par Judgment read in open court in presence of the Respondent. \par \par \par \par R. O. Okumu Wengi \par JUDGE \par 30/11/2005. \par }}