[2009] UGHC 4

[2009] UGHC 4

The court found that the plaintiff had proved, on a balance of probabilities, that the defendant took over the specified quantity of sugar at Mwanza, Tanzania, and delivered less than that quantity in Kampala, Uganda. The consignment notes, tally sheets, and invoices were accepted as credible evidence of the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2009] UGHC 4
Parties
Applicant: Kamagara Charles; Respondent: Uganda Railways Corporation
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Civil Suit No.846 of 2005
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Judgment
Outcome
judgment for the plaintiff
Legal Topics
Carriage of Goods, Contract of Carriage, Loss of Goods, Burden of Proof, Damages for Breach, Evidence of Contract
Source Language
en
Commercial and Corporate Tort Law Carriage of Goods Contract of Carriage Loss of Goods Burden of Proof Damages for Breach Evidence of Contract

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Parties

Kamagara Charles

Applicant

Uganda Railways Corporation

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Suit / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether or not the defendant lost the plaintiff's sugar as alleged in the plaint.
  2. 2 If so, what is the value of the lost sugar.
  3. 3 What are the remedies available to the plaintiff.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the plaintiff had proved, on a balance of probabilities, that the defendant took over the specified quantity of sugar at Mwanza, Tanzania, and delivered less than that quantity in Kampala, Uganda. The consignment notes, tally sheets, and invoices were accepted as credible evidence of the contract and the loss. The defendant failed to provide a valid explanation for the shortfall, and the court rejected the argument that the loss could have occurred before the defendant's custody. The court distinguished the cited Agrovalue Processors Impex (U) Ltd v URC case, finding that in this instance, the defendant had control and knowledge of the cargo from Mwanza onwards. The...

Court Disposition

judgment for the plaintiff

Orders

  • The defendant shall pay the plaintiff US$24,391.52 or its equivalent in Uganda currency at the rate of exchange obtaining at the date of payment, being the value of the lost sugar.
  • The defendant shall pay the plaintiff Ug. Shs.5,000,000/= as general damages for breach of contract.