[2007] UGCA 63

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Justice C. K Byamugisha}{\operator jchemeri}{\creatim\yr2009\mo3\dy25\hr14\min38}{\revtim\yr2009\mo3\dy25\hr14\min38}{\printim\yr2007\mo8\dy28\hr14\min33}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages4}{\nofwords855}{\nofchars4879}{\nofcharsws5723} {\vern24689}}\paperw11909\paperh16834\margl1440\margr1440 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace120\dgvspace180\dghorigin1440\dgvorigin1440\dghshow2\dgvshow2 \jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct\asianbrkrule \rsidroot11404422\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\i\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7234995 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\i\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7234995 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\i\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7234995 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\i\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7234995 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \psz9\linemod5\linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid5530623\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3960159 \b\i\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs17\insrsid10301610 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs17\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid9374098 1}}}{\cs17\insrsid10301610 \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid10301610 \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\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9374098 \b\i\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\i0\insrsid11404422\charrsid9374098 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\i0\insrsid5530623\charrsid9374098 \par }{\i0\insrsid11404422\charrsid9374098 IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF UGANDA \par AT KAMPALA \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9374098 {\ul\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 CORAM:}{\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 HON. JUSTICE C. N. B. KITUMBA, JA.}{ \insrsid11404422\charrsid9374098 \par }{\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 HON. JUSTICE C. K. BYAMUGISHA, JA. \par HON. JUSTICE S. B. K. KAVUMA, JA. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9374098 {\i0\ul\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 192/02 \par \par }{\i0\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 BETWEEN \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9374098 {\b0\i0\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 LAWRENCE KIZZA:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::APPELLANT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9374098 {\i0\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 AND \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9374098 {\b0\i0\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 UGANDA::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: RESPONDENT \par \par [}{\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 Appeal from the judgment of the High Court of Uganda at Kampala sitting at Nakawa}{\insrsid1930381\charrsid9374098 High Court Circuit}{\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 (}{\i0\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 Akiik i-Kiiza J)}{\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 dated 4}{\super\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 th}{\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 November 2002 in HCCSC No.52/02}{\i0\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 ] \par \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid3168949\charrsid9374098 JUDGMENT OF THE COURT \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid5964865\charrsid9374098 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid5964865\charrsid9374098 Lawrence Kiiza, the appellant in this case was indicted with the offence of defilement contrary to }{\insrsid5964865\charrsid9374098 section 129(2}{\b0\i0\insrsid5964865\charrsid9374098 ) of the }{ \i0\insrsid5964865\charrsid9374098 Penal Code Act. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid5964865\charrsid9374098 It was alleged in the particulars of the indictment that during the month of November 1999 at Katogo village in the Kiboga District the appellant unlawfully and carnally knew Mukakalasi Sylvia a girl under the age of 18 years. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid9665422\charrsid9374098 \par The facts as found and accepted by the trial judge are that the appellant worked as a herdsman at the home of the victim.}{\b0\i0\insrsid5385925\charrsid9374098 She used to graze calves while the appellant grazed the cows. On 22}{ \b0\i0\super\insrsid5385925\charrsid9374098 nd}{\b0\i0\insrsid5385925\charrsid9374098 November 1999}{\b0\i0\insrsid10387365\charrsid9374098 the father of the victim, Spedito }{\b0\i0\insrsid10515429\charrsid9374098 Twagiramungu (P. W.2)}{ \b0\i0\insrsid10387365\charrsid9374098 returned home and found the victim quarrelling with her mother. The cause of the quarrel was that the victim had delayed in bringing the calves home. On being questioned, she revealed that the appellant had asked her to take the calves to a nearby school. When she reached the school the appellant }{ \b0\i0\insrsid10515429\charrsid9374098 removed his trousers she also removed her pants and they had sex. P. W.2 reported the matter to the local council 1 chairperson. The appellant was arrested and charged. The victim was taken for medical examination at Polly Clinic Bukomero. He was examined by Dr Serunyigo (P. W. 1}{\b0\i0\insrsid13703408\charrsid9374098 ) on}{\b0\i0\insrsid10515429\charrsid9374098 23}{\b0\i0\super\insrsid10515429\charrsid9374098 rd}{\b0\i0\insrsid10515429\charrsid9374098 November 1999.}{\b0\i0\insrsid596539\charrsid9374098 }{ \b0\i0\insrsid10515429\charrsid9374098 He made a report (exhibit PE.1)}{\b0\i0\insrsid9665422\charrsid9374098 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid10515429\charrsid9374098 \par At the trial the prosecution called two witnesses who testified orally. The evidence of the examining doctor was admitted under the provisions of }{\insrsid10515429\charrsid9374098 section 66 }{\b0\i0\insrsid10515429\charrsid9374098 of the }{ \i0\insrsid10515429\charrsid9374098 Trial on Indictments Act. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid10620308\charrsid9374098 The appellant denied the offence and raised the defence of a grudge which was rejected by the trial judge who convicted him as charged and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment hence the instant appeal. \par \par The memorandum of appeal filed on his behalf contains only}{\b0\i0\insrsid1983988\charrsid9374098 one}{\b0\i0\insrsid10620308\charrsid9374098 ground }{\b0\i0\insrsid1983988\charrsid9374098 of appeal }{\b0\i0\insrsid10620308\charrsid9374098 namely that

\par \'93}{\insrsid10620308\charrsid9374098 The learned trial judge erred in law and fact when he convicted the appellant on the basis of the uncorroborated evidence of a single witness and found him guilty of defilement\'94. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid7737503\charrsid9374098 Mr Ambrose Tishekwa represented the appellant. In his submission he stated that there was no direct evidence to prove penetration}{\b0\i0\insrsid1390849\charrsid9374098 and there was no independent evidence}{ \b0\i0\insrsid7419367\charrsid9374098 to prove that the appellant defiled the victim. On medical evidence learned counsel pointed out that}{\b0\i0\insrsid1267000\charrsid9374098 it did not show any fresh rapture of the hymen.}{ \b0\i0\insrsid10620308\charrsid9374098 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid1267000\charrsid9374098 On the testimony of the complainant, counsel submitted that force was used to obtain it. She also told court that her father had told her what to say in court. \par Counsel further submitted that there was no evidence to corroborate the testimony of the complainant. Such evidence, counsel contended must come from an i}{\b0\i0\insrsid13703408\charrsid9374098 ndependent source confirming not}{ \b0\i0\insrsid1267000\charrsid9374098 only that the offence was committed but that the appellant committed it. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid6110532\charrsid9374098 \par Mr Semalemba, Principal State Attorney, in his reply supported the judge\rquote s evaluation of the evidence}{\b0\i0\insrsid280515\charrsid9374098 . On medical evidence, the learned Principal State Attorney pointed out that the absence of penetration can be explained by the fact that the victim had had sexual intercourse with the appellant on }{\b0\i0\insrsid8598819\charrsid9374098 previous occasions. \par He also submitted that a conviction can be based on the uncorroborated evidence of the victim and the learned trial judge was satisfied that the victim was a truthful witness.}{\b0\i0\insrsid6110532\charrsid9374098 }{ \b0\i0\insrsid9989549\charrsid9374098 Moreover Mr Semalemba submitted, the victim reported to her father and this amounted to corroboration.}{\b0\i0\insrsid6110532\charrsid9374098 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid9120988\charrsid9374098 \par There is no dispute that the only evidence implicating the appellant was given by the victim herself.}{\b0\i0\insrsid8862355\charrsid9374098 The most single factor that influenced the trial judge in convicting the appellant was that he had had previous sexual encounter}{\b0\i0\insrsid13703408\charrsid9374098 s}{\b0\i0\insrsid8862355\charrsid9374098 with the victim. He thus disregarded the need for corroboration or some other cogent evidence pointing to the guilt of the appellant.}{\b0\i0\insrsid9120988\charrsid9374098 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid596539\charrsid9374098 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid8862355\charrsid9374098 With respect, the learned trial judge erred in his evaluation of the evidence adduced at the trial. The appellant was not charged with having}{\b0\i0\insrsid13703408\charrsid9374098 multiple}{ \b0\i0\insrsid8862355\charrsid9374098 sexual intercourse with the victim on previous occasions. He was charged }{\b0\i0\insrsid9380295\charrsid9374098 with the incident that allegedly took place on 22}{\b0\i0\super\insrsid9380295\charrsid9374098 nd}{ \b0\i0\insrsid9380295\charrsid9374098 November 1999. The victim was}{\b0\i0\insrsid13703408\charrsid9374098 examined the following day. The findings}{\b0\i0\insrsid9380295\charrsid9374098 }{\b0\i0\insrsid13703408\charrsid9374098 of the medical officer were not contested at the trial.}{\b0\i0\insrsid9380295\charrsid9374098 In particular the examination revealed that ther}{\b0\i0\insrsid14188405\charrsid9374098 e were no signs of defilement in}{ \b0\i0\insrsid9380295\charrsid9374098 the past few days. She had no injuries either in her private parts or}{\b0\i0\insrsid5980543\charrsid9374098 any part}{\b0\i0\insrsid9380295\charrsid9374098 of the body}{\b0\i0\insrsid5980543\charrsid9374098 .}{ \b0\i0\insrsid8862355\charrsid9374098 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid5980543\charrsid9374098 It }{\b0\i0\insrsid14188405\charrsid9374098 is our considered opinion}{\b0\i0\insrsid5980543\charrsid9374098 that the whole purpose of subjecting the victim to medical examination was to enable }{ \b0\i0\insrsid14188405\charrsid9374098 the prosecution confirm }{\b0\i0\insrsid10301610\charrsid9374098 that penetrative}{\b0\i0\insrsid5980543\charrsid9374098 sex had taken place between the victim and a male human being. It was not an academic exercise. \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid12988262\charrsid9374098 Contrary to what the learned State Attorney submitted, the victim did not voluntarily tell he}{\b0\i0\insrsid2968174\charrsid9374098 r}{\b0\i0\insrsid12988262\charrsid9374098 parents what had taken place. Sh}{ \b0\i0\insrsid2968174\charrsid9374098 e was first quizzed and even threatened with beatings.}{\b0\i0\insrsid12988262\charrsid9374098 She was not in any distressed condition.}{\b0\i0\insrsid2968174\charrsid9374098 }{ \b0\i0\insrsid12988262\charrsid9374098 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid2968174\charrsid9374098 \par We are not satisfied that the prosecution proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt.}{\b0\i0\insrsid9583802\charrsid9374098 The appellant is entitled to an acquittal. Consequently we allow the appeal. Quash the conviction and set aside the sentence. We order for his immediate release from custody unless he is being held on other lawful charges.}{\b0\i0\insrsid2968174\charrsid9374098 \par }{\b0\i0\insrsid9583802\charrsid9374098 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9374098 {\i0\insrsid9583802\charrsid9374098 Dated at Kampala this}{\i0\insrsid7938635\charrsid9374098 30}{\i0\super\insrsid7938635\charrsid9374098 th}{ \i0\insrsid7938635\charrsid9374098 day of August }{\i0\insrsid9583802\charrsid9374098 2007. \par \par C. N. B. Kitumba \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid9583802\charrsid9374098 Justice of Appeal \par \par }{\i0\insrsid9583802\charrsid9374098 \par C. K. Byamugisha \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid9583802\charrsid9374098 Justice of Appeal \par \par }{\i0\insrsid9583802\charrsid9374098 \par S. B. K. Kavuma \par }{\i0\ul\insrsid9583802\charrsid9374098 Justice of Appeal \par }}