[2010] UGHC 22

[2010] UGHC 22

The court found that the respondent failed to justify the legality of the applicant's detention. The affidavit evidence relied on by the respondent was hearsay and inadmissible. The applicant had been detained for over three months before being charged, and there was no evidence he was subject to military law at the...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2010] UGHC 22
Parties
Applicant: Kishaija Steven; Respondent: Attorney General
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Misc.Cause No.15 of 2010
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Cause / Ruling on Habeas Corpus Application
Outcome
application granted
Judges
Musoke, J
Legal Topics
Habeas Corpus, Unlawful Detention, Military Jurisdiction, Remand Procedure
Source Language
en
Constitutional Law Criminal Law Habeas Corpus Unlawful Detention Military Jurisdiction Remand Procedure

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Parties

Kishaija Steven

Applicant

Attorney General

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Miscellaneous Cause / Ruling on Habeas Corpus Application

  1. 1 Whether the applicant, not being a person subject to military law, could lawfully be tried or remanded by the General Court Martial.
  2. 2 Whether the applicant's detention at Kigo Prison was lawful and constitutional.
  3. 3 Whether the return by the respondent justified the legality of the applicant's detention.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the respondent failed to justify the legality of the applicant's detention. The affidavit evidence relied on by the respondent was hearsay and inadmissible. The applicant had been detained for over three months before being charged, and there was no evidence he was subject to military law at the time of arrest. The Supreme Court authority in Attorney General v Uganda Law Society was clear that the General Court Martial lacks jurisdiction over civilians or those not subject to military law. The return did not establish the applicant's status as a person subject to military law, rendering both the remand and detention unlawful. The court concluded that the applicant's...

Court Disposition

application granted

Orders

  • The applicant, Kishaija Steven, is to be released at once from illegal detention.
  • The costs of this application are to be paid by the Attorney General.