[2001] UGHC 100

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)}}{\*\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\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1 \widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid11615609 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA, AT MBARARA}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16452788 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 HIGH COURT CIVIL SUIT NO.42 OF 1995 }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 FRED HERERI}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85..}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 PLAINTIFF}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 VS }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85..}{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 DEFENDANT \line BEFORE: }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid4791661 THE HON. JUSTICE V. F. MUSOKE-KIBUUKA}{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 \par }{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid4791661 JUDGMENT }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 In this suit, the defendant was sued in his representative capacity, by virtue of section 11 of the }{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Proceedings Against The Government Act, Cap. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 69. In his plaint filed in this honourable court on 29th December, }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid4791661 1995}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 , }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 the plaintiff presented a claim against the defendant for special, general and extemporary damages, for wrongful arrest and false imprisonment. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Summons to enter appearance were issued on 9uhi January, 1996. The defendant filed a me}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 morandum of appearance on 16}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 th}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 April, 1}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 996. He then kept quite. On 18}{\lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 th}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 November, 1999, the case was called for scheduling conference. On that day, the plaintiff and his counsel appeared in court. There was evidence of proper service to both parties. A}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 hearing date was fixed for 27}{\lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 th}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 January, 2000. The defendant was duly served with a hearing notice for that date. Again the defendant did not appear in court and no reason was given. It so happened coincidentally, that the trial j udge was also on leave. The hearing of the case was, therefore, adjourned to 28thi February, 2000. The defendant was again duly served. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Mr. D. B. Bireije, Commissioner, Civil Litigation, appear to have received the hearing notice, on behalf of the defenda}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 nt. That was on 24}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 th}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 February, 2000. He inscribed a note on the original copy of the hearing notice. Below the note he appended his signature and title. The note reads as below: \line }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \'93}{ \i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Late service accepted. }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 The service is late. We cannot }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 prepare to come to}{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 Mbarara to defend. We need to }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 requisition for money from Finance which cannot be done now. Let a new date b}{ \i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 e given and communicated to us }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 well in time for us to prepare.\'94}{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 \par }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 It is not quite clear as to whose attention that note was intended. If it was intended for the court\rquote s attention, then I must state that it was of no effect. For this court held in }{ \i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Byamani (Uganda) Ltd. v. L. Sserwanga, }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 (1975) }{ \i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 HCB 86, }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 that }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 seeking adjournment by telephone, letter or a note such as the one in the instant case does not constitute an appropriate method of applying for an adjournment. An adjournment could not be granted on the basis of such a note. In the instant case, the defendant had three clear days between the date of service and the hearing date. Even if he could no t arrange for a State Attorney to travel to Mbarara within three days, he, certainly, had the means of briefing an advocate at Mbarara to seek an adjournment on his behalf.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Besides, from the time }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 of entering appearance, on 18}{\lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 th}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 April 1995, up to the date of service of the r}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 elevant hearing notice, on 24}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 th}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 February, 2000, nearly four years had passed and the defendant had not filed any defence in the matter. The defendant had effectively placed himself out of court. }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Attorney General vs. Ssengendo (1972) E. A. 356 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 and }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Ssebunya vs. Attorney General (1980) HCB. 69. }{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 In these circumstances, I ordered that the case proceed ex-parte in accordance with Order 9 rule 17(a) of the }{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Civil Procedure Rules. }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \par The plaintiff gave evidence as PW1. He called two other witnesses. PW2 was Alleluya Agnes, a copy typist with the Judiciary and attached to the }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Chief}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Magistrate\rquote s Court at Mbarara. PW3, Rose Kategyesa, was the wife of the plaintiff. }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 In brief, the uncontraverted evidence of the plaintiff and his witnesses is that he and his wife, PW3, lived at Ahakabare, Kyengando, Nyamarebe, Ibanda in Mbarara District. He had some long standing land dispute with his brother called Yonasan Bikade and the plaintiff had won a case, in the LC Court of the village over that land dispute. Th e LC Court was about to execute its judgment against Yonasan Bikade.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 \par On }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 July}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 , }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 1995,}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 at about 8.00 a.m. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 Yonasan Bikade appeared at the }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 home of the plaintiff. He was accompanied by four soldiers belonging to UPDF, then called N. R. A. The four soldiers were in uniform and each was armed with a gun. The soldiers ordered the plaintiff to sit on the ground, which he did. Then they led him to the LC I chairperson of the village. They informed the chairperson that they had arrested the plaintiff and that they we re taking him to their barracks at Bihanga.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 After leaving the chairman\rquote s home, the soldiers handcuffed the plaintiff. They then }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 demanded from him a sum of Shs/=}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 5,000 which they said was their transport refund. The plaintiff did not have the money with him . He pleaded with the soldiers to take him back to his home so that he gets the money and gives it to them. He gave them the Shs. 5,000= at his home. They then walked the 7 miles distance from Ahakabare to the 19th Battalion barracks at Bihanga. The plain tiff later learnt that two of the soldiers who arrested him were called Han and Katambara. \par The plaintiff was placed into custod}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 y within the barracks where he }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 spent 41 days between }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 9th }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 July, 1995, and }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 17th }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 August, 1995.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 On }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 17}{\lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 th} {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 August, 1995, following the issuance of a writ of }{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 habeas }{ \ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 corpus ad subjiciendum }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 by the High Court at Mbarara, by Karokora, J., as he then was, in Civil Miscellaneous Cause No. 27 of 1995, the plaintiff was moved from Bihanga barracks to the 2\rquote Division\rquote s headquarters at Makenke, Mbarara. He was later, the same day, delivered to Mbarara Police Station by one Lt Noel, then a military Intelligence Officer. At Mbarara Police Station, the plaintiff was kept in police cells for about 24 hours until he was relea s}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 ed by court on 1}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 8}{\lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid11615609\charrsid11615609 th}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 August, 1995. After his release, owing to fear, the plaintiff abandoned his home and now lives in a distant place.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 While in prison, the plaintiff was kept in communicado. He was forced to do hard labour such as collecting grass using his bear hands. He was starved as he was offered food not fit for human consumption and only once a day. He was beaten daily for the first 10 days. At night, he would be ordered to put off his clothes and spend the night lying upon the bear floor on which water would first be poured. To date, the plaintiff claims he cannot do a number of jobs as he used to do them. He has to be assisted in many respects as a result of his incarceration and the hardships to which he was subjected.}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 The issues for determination are: \line a) whether the plaintiff was unlawfully arrested and illegally detained at Bihanga barracks by UPDF soldiers; \line b) If so, whether the soldiers were acting within the scope of their duties rendering the defendant vicariously liable; \line c) whether the plaintiff is entitled to the remedies which he seeks. \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid3276895 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11615609 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 On issue number one, I accept the evidence of PW1, the plaintiff and that of his wife PW3. Their evidence neatly corroborates each other. Both of them were at their home. The time was bright morning. They saw the 4 soldiers, who were led by the plaintiff \rquote s brother called Yonasan Bikade, arrest the plaintiff and leading him away to the barracks at Bihanga. PW3 attempted to go to the barracks to see her husband during the time he was detained there but she failed to gain access. The plaintiff was only removed from Bihanga barracks following an order of }{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 habeas corpus }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 issued by this court on 7th August, 1995, against the Commanding Officer, 21 Division, Mbarara. When the plaintiff was produced in court on 18th August, }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 1995}{ \i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 , }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 the OC/ID, who produced him told court that the plaintiff had been handed over to him by Lt. Noel who was an intelligence Officer with the 2\rquote Division, Mbarara. That evidence leaves no doubt}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 th at the plaintiff was }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 arrested and detained by the UPDF }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 between 9 July and August, 18}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid344842\charrsid344842 th}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 1995. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 I will now determine whether or not the arrest and imprisonment was unlawful and false. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 The position of the law is that the basis of the action of false imprisonment is the mere imprisonment itsel f. The plaintiff, in order to succeed, does not have to prove that the imprisonment was malicious or unlawful. His or her case is duly established once he or she makes a prima facie case and proves that he was imprisoned by the defendant. The burden then shifts to the defendant to justify the arrest and imprisonment. }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 Dumbell }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 v. Roberts And Others (1944) 1 All E. R. 326 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 and }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Sekaddu vs. Ssebadduka }{\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 1}{ \i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 968) E. A. 213. }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line }{\i\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 In the instant case, as I have already concluded, the plaintiff has established a }{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 prima facie }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 case that he was arrested by 4 servants of the defendant on 19th July, 1995. He has also established that he was kept in imprisonment from that date till}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid344842 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842\charrsid344842 18}{\lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid344842\charrsid344842 th}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 August, 1995, when he was ordered to be released by this court on the ground that his arres t and imprisonment had not been justified and he was charged with no offence. The defendant has not discharged the burden thrown upon him by law to }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842\charrsid11615609 justify}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 either the arrest or the imprisonment. Accordingly, I have to find that the arrest was unlawful and the imprisonment false.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid11615609 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 The second issue is whether the 4 soldiers who arrested the plaintiff were servants of the defendant and did so during the course of their duties. \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 I will not waste much time on this issue. The four soldiers were in uniform of the UPDF. Each one of them was armed with a gun. It is known practice that a soldier who is not on duty would not ordinari}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 ly be in uniform or carry a gun }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 which are symbols of soldiering work. Besides, after arresting the plaintiff, the 4 soldiers took him to B ihanga barracks where he was imprisoned for 41 days and was treated as a prisoner within the barracks for all purposes. Those circumstances leave no doubt in my mind that in arresting the plaintiff and in leading him into the barracks where he was impriso ned, the soldiers were acting within the scope of their duties even though their actions were apparently unlawful.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Lastly, I have to determine whether or not the plaintiff is entitled to the remedies which he seeks.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 The plaintiff seeks special damages in the sums of Shs.5,000 which he claims that the soldiers who arrested him forced him to give them purportedly as their transport charges. The plaintiff also claims Shs. 87,000 under the category of special damages. He states that the sum represents money w hich he would have earned if he had not been arrested and imprisoned. He testified that he used to earn 2,000= each day from selling milk and mato}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 o}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 ke from his own kibanja. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 While special damages and general damages are compensatory in nature, special dam ages are only awardable in instances where they have strictly been proved. In the instant case, I accept that in the circumstances of this case it would be most probable that the soldiers would demand some money as, indeed, they did from the plaintiff. I, therefore, will eas}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 ily award to him the Shs. 5,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 , which the plaintiff claims was extracted from him by those who arrested him.}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 I, however, do not co}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 nsider the claim of Shs. 87,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 to have been strictly proved as special damages. I cannot believe that after his arrest, with his wife at home, the milk and the mato}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 o}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 ke in the plantation were left to waste away simply because the plaintiff was in prison. Secondly, while milk could be sold on a daily basis, I do not believe that mato}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 o}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 ke could equally so be sol d. The plaintiff has not led any evidence even to the fact that he owned any cow or banana plantation. He has not led any evidence regarding what sales he used to make or what loss he incurred during his incarceration. Those facts cannot simply be assumed .}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Accordingly, I do reject the claim, as special dam}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 ages, of the sum of Shs. 87,000}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line The plaintiff claims ge}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 neral damages of Shs. 5,000,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 . I do agree that owing to the extreme conditions and anguish, to which he was exposed, the plaintiff deserves com pensatory damages in the form of general damages. He was imprisoned for 41 days. He was beaten, fed on food not fit for human consumption and was forced to do forced labour. I, however, consider the sum of Shs. 5 million to be a bid on the higher side con sidering all the circumstances of this case. I would award Shs. 3,500,000= as general damages in this case. \par The last claim relates to exemplary damages.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Exemplary damages are only awarded in circumstances where the act complained of was oppressive, arbitrary or unconstitutional, if it is done by a servant of the government. }{ \i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Rooks v. Bernard (1964) A. C. 1112, Nsaba Buturo vs. Munnansi Newspaper (1982) HCB, 134 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 and }{ \i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Yakobo Oyaka And 4 Others vs. Attorney General HC Civil Suit No. 20 of 1990. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 (Unreported) \line Exemplary damages are, essentially, a punishment for the high-handedness of the conduct of the defendant or his servant or agent. It is not compensatory in nature.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 In the instant case, the facts reveal op}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 pressiveness, arbitrariness and }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 unconstitutionality as the plaintiff was arrested by soldiers without due authority to do so. He was imprisoned in a military barracks for 41 days without any charges being preferred against him this breaching the }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 plaintiff\rquote }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842\charrsid11615609 s}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 constitutional right to liberty and to the securi ty of his person. This, therefore, is a proper case in which such high-handed, arbitrary, oppressive and unconstitutional conduct must be punished by awarding exemplary damages.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 In the circumstances, }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 I award a sum of Shs. 1,500,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 as exemplary damages. \line In the final result, I enter judgment for the plaintiff against the defendant. I make: \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 a) An order awarding Shs. 5,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 to the plaintiff as special damages; }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par b) A}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 n}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 order awarding Shs. 3,500,000 as general damages \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 c) }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842\charrsid11615609 An}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 order awarding Shs. 1,500,000}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 as exemplary damages, and }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par d) A}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 n order awarding the costs of this suit to the plaintiff.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par \line V. F. Musoke}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 -Kibuuka \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 Judge \line 22/02/20 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line Order: \line The Deputy Registrar of this court to deliver this ju}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 dgment on a date to be fixed by }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 him. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line V. F.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid344842 Musoke Kibuuka}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid10629542\charrsid11615609 \line Judge \line 22/02/2001 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11615609 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14830933\charrsid11615609 \par }}