[2009] UGHC 9

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\jclisttab\tx6480\lin6480 }{\listname ;}\listid1476801331}}{\*\listoverridetable{\listoverride\listid1476801331\listoverridecount0\ls1}{\listoverride\listid196626654\listoverridecount0\ls2}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid16745\rsid672904\rsid864807\rsid1272630 \rsid1853991\rsid3163861\rsid3542543\rsid3946840\rsid4216390\rsid4797891\rsid7216350\rsid7543076\rsid7544231\rsid7545804\rsid8150816\rsid8586459\rsid8731059\rsid9518026\rsid10646044\rsid10817896\rsid12732493\rsid12923104\rsid13005624\rsid13066847 \rsid14158146\rsid14291577\rsid15235255\rsid15945220\rsid15947632\rsid16521709}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\author jnamusoke}{\operator jchemeri}{\creatim\yr2009\mo3\dy17\hr12\min46} {\revtim\yr2009\mo3\dy17\hr12\min46}{\printim\yr2009\mo2\dy26\hr12\min4}{\version2}{\edmins1}{\nofpages15}{\nofwords2181}{\nofchars12436}{\*\company COJ}{\nofcharsws14588}{\vern24689}} \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct \asianbrkrule\rsidroot7216350\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid672904 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid672904 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid672904 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.}}{\*\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\pararsid10646044 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA \par }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 HIGH COURT CIVIL SUIT NO}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 .969 of 2005 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 NANSUBUGA JOSEPHINE }{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 ::::::::::::::::::::::::}{ \insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 ::::::::::}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 PLAINTIFF}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\b\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 Versus \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 VISION FOR AFRICA }{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 :::::::::::::::::::::::::}{ \insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 :::::::::::::}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 DEFENDANT }{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \par }{\b\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 BEFORE: HON. JUSTICE REMMY K. KASULE}{\b\insrsid3946840\charrsid10646044 \par }{\b\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \par JUDGMENT \par \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 Plaintiff sued the defendant claiming damages for injuries and expenses incurred by her in a road traffic accident caused by the defendant\rquote s vehicle. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 No issues were framed at the commencement of trial. Court thus frames the issues as hereunder the same arising from the pleadings and evidence given by the parties. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-547\li907\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx900\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin907\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 Whether an accident happened to the plaintiff involving the motor-vehicle stated in the plaint. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}Whether there was negligence on the part of the defendant in causing the accident. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}Whether the plaintiff suffered injuries in the accident. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 4.\tab}Whether the defendant was absolved of liability by the plaintiff for the accident. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 5.\tab}What are the remedies available to the }{\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 plaintiff?}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044

\par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 As to the first issue, the uncontr}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 o}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 verted evidence on record, }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 is}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 that the accident happened on 7}{\super\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 th}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 March, 2005, between 2.}{ \insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 00p.m,}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 and 3.00p.m, at Dundu village, along Gayaza-Kalagi Road. The plaintiff was}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 ,}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 at the time of the accident traveling in a taxi mini-bus Toyota Hiace Number UAG 219B, when the same was}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 ,}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 while on its proper side of the road, knocked by the defendant\rquote s motor-vehicle ELF. CV registration Number 882Y; being driven by the Defendant\rquote s agent/authorized driver Hofer Thomas. The motor-vehicle in which the plaintiff was traveling was heade d in the direction of Kayunga while that of defendant was being driven in the opposite direction towards Kampala. Court }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 on the basis of this evidence }{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 resolves the first issue in the affirmative. \par \par }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 \par }{\insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 The second issue is whether there was negligence on the part of the defendant in causing the accident. According to plaintiff\rquote s testimony, the driver of the defendant\rquote s motor-vehicle lost control, zig zagged in the road, crossed over to the opposite side and knocked the motor-vehicle in which she was traveling. PW3 and PW4, both of Uganda Police visited the scene of the accident, took measurements and drew a sketch plan of the scene, Exhibit P7. The testimony of these two witnesses is that the defendant\rquote s driver lost control of the motor-vehicle he was driving and knocked that one in which the plaintiff was}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 ,}{\insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 on the opposite side of the road. Their evidence is to the effect that the point of impact of the two }{\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 vehicles}{\insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 was on the extreme side opposite that where the defendant\rquote s motor-vehicle was supposed to be driven.}{\insrsid7216350\charrsid10646044 \par }{\insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 \par The defendant did not adduce any evidence to rebut negligence on the part of the one who was driving their motor-vehicle and caused the accident. \par \par Court }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 therefore }{\insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 holds that the accident was as a result of the negligence of the defendant\rquote s authorized driver, one Thomas Hofer. \par \par As to the third issue, the evidence adduced }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 is}{\insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 that the }{\insrsid4797891\charrsid10646044 Plaintiff}{\insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 suffered}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 ,}{ \insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 as a result of the accident}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 ,}{\insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 very severe injuries in the nature of fracture of neck of the left femur, fracture of the right acetabulum, fracture of the interior right pubic, fracture of the left tibia plateau, }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 com}{\insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 minuted }{\insrsid4797891\charrsid10646044 fracture of the }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 distal third of the right tibia and fracture of the }{\insrsid4797891\charrsid10646044 medical mallelus, multiple fractures with the h}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 ae}{\insrsid4797891\charrsid10646044 morrhagic shock, fracture of rectal femur, right fracture, }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 dislocating right 1}{\super\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 st}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 metataso \endash phalangeol joint }{ \insrsid4797891\charrsid10646044 and post traumatic avascular necroses of left fernoral head and post traumatic osteoarthritis of the right hip joint. He was medically examined by Dr. Orwotho Norbert and later by Dr. Kalyemenya}{ \insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 ,}{\insrsid4797891\charrsid10646044 PW2, who }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 (PW2) }{\insrsid4797891\charrsid10646044 classified her injuries as maim, and fixed her permanent disability at 80%. According to the Doctor, PW2, the plaintiff requires a second operation to replace another hip; the first hip being already replaced. It was un}{ \insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 likely}{\insrsid4797891\charrsid10646044 that the plaintiff\rquote s health condition would improve. She is}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 instead, }{\insrsid4797891\charrsid10646044 likely to get worse. \par \par The evidence as to injuries suffered by plaintiff was not rebutted by defendant. This court holds that the plaintiff suffered the stated injuries in the course of and as a result of the accident. \par \par The fourth issue is whether the defendant was absolved by }{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 the plaintiff from any further liability for the accident. }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 The defendant adduced evidence that, w}{ \insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 hile receiving treatment at Mulago, the plaintiff }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 was }{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 made to sign a document titled }{\b\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 \'93Release of all claims \'94}{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 on 2}{\super\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 nd}{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 July 2005, and pursuant to }{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 signing}{ \insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 the document}{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 a sum of shs.1,000,000/= was paid by }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 cheque }{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 in the names of the plaintiff and the same was banked on her account with a Micro Finance. The payment was made by the Defendant\rquote s in}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 surer}{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 s, AIG (U) Ltd. \par \par }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 \par \par }{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 The document }{\b\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 \'93Release of all claims\'94}{\insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 , exhibit D1, written in English provided that the }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 recipient}{ \insrsid8150816\charrsid10646044 of the money, the plaintiff, in consideration of the sum received \'93Releases and forever discharges\'94 the defendant, the driver and the insurers from liability for the accident. \par \par }{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 It is the contention of the defendant that by signing}{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 ,}{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 accepting and using this money, the plaintiff released and discharged the defendant from liability in respect of the accident. The plaintiff contends that the defendant is still liable to her in damages for the accident. \par \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-720\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-720\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 Plaintiff\rquote s testimony as regards the money is that she only came to know of the payment of this money after the same had been deposited on her account, and that it is her brother-in-law, one Henry Katongole who}{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 ,}{ \insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 without her knowledge and consent negotiated and collected payment from the defendant. She herself never executed }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 the }{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 agreement releasing and discharging the defendant from liability for the accident}{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 . }{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 W}{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 hen she was told money was on her account, she thought it was the loan money that she had applied for before the accident from a Micro }{\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 Finance}{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 Institution with which she operated her account, that had been granted to her and deposited on her account. }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 \par \par }{\insrsid15947632\charrsid10646044 For the defendant, DW1, Zachary Sebulime , an insurer with AIG (U) Ltd confirmed that the insurance company got one Henry Katongole, a relative of plaintiff to represent the plaintiff who was sick in the hospital, in the negotiations that ultimately resulted in the payment of shs.1,000,000/=. T he Plaintiff signed the \'93Release of all claims\'94 document, Exhibit D1 while still undergoing treatment in the hospital. DW1 did not personally }{\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 see her sign this document. He also never met the plaintiff at all through out the transaction. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-720\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-720\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 DW2, Ms Kasoma Christine, then Assistant Claims Manager, with AIG (U) Ltd, the insurers, testified that she met plaintiff in Mulago Hospital, where she witnessed the plaintiff sign}{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 ing Exhibit D1,}{\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 releasing the defendant of all claims for the accident on agreeing to be paid Shs.1,000,000/=. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-720\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-720\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 In cross-examination this witness stated that the plaintiff \'93 might have been weak due to injuries but she signed}{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 \'94 and}{\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 therefore absolved the defendant from liability for the accident. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-720\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-720\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 Court notes that the plaintiff was never asked by the defence whether or not what appears to be her signature on Exhibit D1 was hers or not. There is nothing on the said Exhibit D1 to indicate that DW2 read to, explained and/or translated to the plaintiff in the language that the plaintiff understood t he said Exhibit D1. All that Exhibit D1 shows is that DW2 signed as a witness. DW2 in her testimony to court offered no explanation as to why she did not indicate on the document that she read, explained and/or translated the document to plaintiff}{ \insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 in a language of plaintiff\rquote s choice that she, plaintiff}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 ,}{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 would understand well}{\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 , that plaintiff understood the same and then signed after understanding the }{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 imp}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 or}{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 t}{\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 and effect of the contents of Exhibit D1. }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 I}{\insrsid10817896\charrsid10646044 t was also unexplained why plaintiff is stated to have si gned twice and why there were two different witnesses both signing as such, namely Katongole Henry and DW2. Katongole Henry never testified to support the defendant\rquote s versi}{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 on as to his (Katongole Henry) }{ \insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 rol}{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 e in }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 executing Exhibit D1. D}{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 efendant offered no explanation why Exhibit D1, had to be executed in Mulago Hospital where the plaintiff was receiving treatment for the injuries suffered, an environment of pain and suffering; and not one }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 of }{ \insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 peace and tranquility, and thus not one conducive to }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 a free}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 and voluntary}{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 }{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 execution of }{\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 important}{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 agreements, like Exhibit D1. Defence Counsel never put it to the plaintiff that she voluntarily and freely executed Exhibit D1 after understanding its effect and imp}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 or}{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 t. She was not cross-examined as to the execution of Exhibit D1 or at all. }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 She was never asked whether the signature on exhibit D1 was hers or not. }{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 It was never suggested to the plaintiff that she ever talked to DW2 at Mulago Hospital in connection with Exhibit D1 or at all. There was no expert evidence by a handwriting expert to prove that the signature on Exhibit D1 is that of the Plaintiff. Both DW1 and DW2}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 ,}{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 }{\insrsid15235255\charrsid10646044 i}{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 n the observation of court }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 of their respective demeanors}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 ,}{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 }{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 were witnesses who came for the purpose of absolving the Defendant of liability at any cost. }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 DW1, had never met the plaintiff at all. Yet he }{\insrsid15235255\charrsid10646044 vehemently }{ \insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 insisted plaintiff had absolved the defendant of liability}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 by executing Exhibit }{\insrsid12923104\charrsid10646044 D1}{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 . DW2 failed to explain why the signing}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 of Exhibit D1 }{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 had to be in hospital. }{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 This affected the truthfulness of their evidence.}{ \insrsid864807\charrsid10646044 \par }{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 This court, on appreciating the evidence adduced by both plaintiff and defendant, holds that,}{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 the defendant has not proved}{\insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 on a balance of probabilities, that the plaintiff executed Exhibit D1 \'93Release of all claims\'94 or that if she did so, the plaintiff did so freely and voluntarily after understanding its imp}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 or}{ \insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 t and effect. The answer to the fourth issue is that the defendant was not absolved by the plaintiff from liability for the accident. \par \par The last issue is what remedies are available to the plaintiff. \par \par The plaintiff is entitled to general damages for the injuries she suffered. The particulars of these injuries have already been stated. There was no contrary evidence, medical }{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 or otherwise to contradict or controvert the evidence of t he injuries. PW2, Dr. Kalyemenya classified the injuries as maim, a very serious condition. The disability of plaintiff is 80%. There is no improvement in her health condition likely to occur; instead a worsening of plaintiff beyond 80% disability is } {\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 likely}{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 . Another operation to replace the hip which is still there has to be undergone by plaintiff. Due to the injuries the plaintiff can no longer carry on with her profession as a nurse where she used to earn shs.150,000/= per month. She is a mother of four children, all school going, the eldest being 22 years and the youngest 8 years old. Plaintiff}{\insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 , a single parent and a widow, is}{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 herself of a young age of about 38 years old. }{ \insrsid15945220\charrsid10646044 \par \par The principle governing the assessment of damages is that the injured party should be awarded such a sum of money as }{\insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 will put that party in the same position as the party would have been in if the party had not sustained the injuries: See: }{\b\insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 Robert Coussens Vs. Attorney General: Civil Appeal No.8 of 1999: Uganda Supreme Court. \par \par }{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 In the case of }{\b\insrsid15235255\charrsid10646044 S}{\b\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 u}{\b\insrsid15235255\charrsid10646044 la}{\b\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 it Kityo Vs. Uganda }{ \b\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 Consolidated}{\b\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 Fund}{\b\insrsid15235255\charrsid10646044 & Bossa Muhamad}{\b\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 [1992-1993] HCB at p.199,}{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 }{ \insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 Shs.}{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 10,000,000/= was awarded as general damages where the injuries to the victim resulted in a permanent disability of 40%. This decision is about 16 years old now.}{ \insrsid14291577\charrsid10646044 \par }{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 \par In }{\b\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 Robert Coussens Vs. Attorney General : }{\insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 (Supra)}{\b\insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 }{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 decided on 03.03.00, the }{\insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 Uganda }{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 Supreme Court upheld an award of Shs.50,000,000/= general damages to an American national, a professional deep sea diver, shot in Uganda by Uganda Police who mistoo k him to be a car thief. He sustained very severe injuries from the gunshots}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 resulting in considerable permanent disability}{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 . He could no longer work as a sea diver. He was aged 25 years at time of the incident. As a sea diver, he earned far much more than the plaintiff in this case. }{\insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 \par \par }{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 As to loss of earnings of the plaintiff, an estimate of prospective loss is based on what the plaintiff has been actually earning at the time of injury, multiplied by the number of years during which the loss of earning p ower will last, and then the amount is subjected to the probability of an increase o}{\insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 r}{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 decrease in the earnings and other contingencies such as taxation and inflation: See: }{ \b\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 PARRY VS. CLEANER [1970] A. C 1, a House of Lords decision}{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 . }{\insrsid3163861\charrsid10646044 \par }{\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 \par }{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 The evidence is that the plaintiff was aged 35 years at the time of the accident, was earning shs.150,000/= per month. T}{\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 hough}{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 not working}{ \insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 ,}{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 as at the time of trial, she was still being paid her monthly salary as a nurse. }{\insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 She had been told}{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 }{ \insrsid15235255\charrsid10646044 that payment of }{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 salary }{\insrsid15235255\charrsid10646044 was to be stopped}{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 . According to Section 12(1) of the Pensions Act, Cap.286 plaintiff would work up }{\insrsid15235255\charrsid10646044 to }{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 the age of 60 years. She therefore had another 25 years of working. }{ \insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 The }{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 amount }{\insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 expected to be earned }{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 would be subject to taxation and possible inflation and other con tingencies such as sickness of plaintiff. \par \par Bearing in mind the above considerations and the case law authorities referred to}{\insrsid16745\charrsid10646044 above}{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 , this court awards to the plaintiff Shs.35,000,000/= general damages for the injuries suffered by the plaintiff and shs.15,000,000/= for loss of earnings. \par \par As to special damages plaintiff testified that Shs.500,000/= had been paid for her operation and that shs.3,000,000/= was required for purchase of a hip. She had also spent shs.2,000,000/= to secure medical services. She ha d spent shs.50,000/= to secure police report. In court the plaintiff tendered receipts totaling Shs.1,125,800/= being cost of medication and payment for transport and police Report. \par This sum is awarded to the Plaintiff. There was no evidence to support the sum of shs.3,000,000/= as the cost of the hip. This sum, like the other claims for special damages are disallowed}{\insrsid8586459\charrsid10646044 as they are exaggerated claims in the considered view of court, yet special damages must be specifically proved.}{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 Plaintiff is }{\insrsid15235255\charrsid10646044 thus }{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 awarde d special damages of shs.1,125,800/=}{\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 .}{\insrsid8731059\charrsid10646044 \par }{\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 \par It is not in dispute that the defendant\rquote s insurers paid shs.1,000,000/= in respect of this accident. This sum is to be deducted from the total sum of damages awarded to the plaintiff. \par \par In conclusion judgment is entered for the plaintiff in the sum of \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (a)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-510\li870\ri-720\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx870\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin-720\lin870\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 Shs.35,000,000/= general damages \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (b)\tab}Shs.15,000,000/= prospective loss of earnings \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (c)\tab}Shs.1,125,000/= special damages \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-720\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-720\lin0\itap0\pararsid10646044 {\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 Less shs.1,000,000/= paid by the defendant\rquote s insurers. \par The sums awarded in (a) and (b) are to carry interest at court rate as from the date of Judgment till payment in full, while the special \par damages are to carry interest at court rate from 07.03.05, the date of accident, till payment in full. \par The plaintiff is awarded the costs of this suit. \par \par \par }{\b\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 Remmy K. Kasule \par Judge \par 5}{\b\super\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 th}{\b\insrsid3542543\charrsid10646044 February 2009 \par }}