[1998] UGCA 7

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Jessica chemeri}{\operator Wor. Jessica chemeri}{\creatim\yr2008\mo8\dy1\hr11\min42} {\revtim\yr2008\mo9\dy12\hr11\min20}{\version17}{\edmins180}{\nofpages7}{\nofwords1904}{\nofchars10859}{\nofcharsws12738}{\vern24689}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\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\rsidroot2106126\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid2106126 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid2106126 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid2106126 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid2106126 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxr\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12138116 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs17\insrsid2106126 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs17\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid2903117 1}}}{\cs17\insrsid2106126 \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri360\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin0\itap0\pararsid2106126 {\insrsid2106126 \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 \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2106126 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15008482 {\insrsid812264\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid812264\charrsid2647758 }{\insrsid2647758\charrsid2647758 }{\ul\insrsid812264 }{\b\ul\insrsid812264\charrsid14371317 THE REPUB}{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid14371317 LIC OF UGANDA}{\b\ul\insrsid812264\charrsid14371317 \par }{\b\insrsid2647758\charrsid2647758 }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid14371317 IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA }{\b\ul\insrsid14371317\charrsid14371317 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid14371317 \line }{\b\insrsid14371317\charrsid14371317 }{\b\insrsid2647758 }{\b\insrsid14371317\charrsid14371317 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid13579831 CIVIL APPEAL NO. 42/97 }{ \b\ul\insrsid14371317\charrsid13579831 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 CORAM: }{\b\insrsid9310 HON. MR. J}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 USTICE G. M. OKELLO, J. A., \line }{\b\insrsid14371317\charrsid2647758 }{ \b\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 HON. MR. JUSTICE J. P. BERKO, J. A. & \line }{\b\insrsid14371317\charrsid2647758 }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 HON. MR. JUSTICE S. G. ENGWAU, J. A.}{\b\insrsid2903117 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 NATIONAL ENTERPRISES CORPORATION}{\b\insrsid14371317\charrsid2647758 \'85\'85\'85\'85..}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 APPELLANT}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{ \insrsid14371317 }{\insrsid2647758 }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 VERSUS}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 MUKISA FOODS LIMITED}{ \b\insrsid14371317\charrsid2647758 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85.}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 RESPONDENT}{\b\insrsid14371317\charrsid2647758 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\insrsid14371317 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid14371317 JUDGMENT OF BERKO, J. A.}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line This is an appeal against the Ruling of Lugayizi, J. made on 15/10/97 in which he dismissed the appellant\rquote s application to set aside an }{\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid2647758 ex-parte}{\b\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Judgment entered against it. \line The circumstances leading to the application are a little complicated, and I must state them in detail. Mukisa Foods Ltd, the respondent, filed against the appellant a HC, Civil Suit No. }{ \insrsid552277 746 of 1992 claiming certain }{\insrsid2903117 reli}{\insrsid2903117\charrsid812264 ef}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 . The appellant was apparently served with the Summons to enter }{\insrsid552277\charrsid812264 appearance}{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 together with the plaint. The }{\insrsid552277 appellant d}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 id not enter an }{\insrsid15008482 appearance or}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 filed a }{\insrsid15008482\charrsid812264 defense} {\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 to the action. When the matter came up for hearing on the 20/1/94, Counsel for the respondent successfully applied to proceed }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid2976776 ex-parte}{\b\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{ \insrsid15008482 under Order 9 rule 17(1}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 )(a) of the Civil Procedure Rules. \line The Court proceeded to hear evidence. After the evidence of four witnesses, counsel for the respondent, on the 13/5/94, a}{\insrsid4594549 pplied to amend the pleadings u}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 nder}{\insrsid4594549 Order 6 }{\insrsid2903117 rule }{\insrsid2903117\charrsid812264 18}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 of the CPR. The reason given for the desiring the amendment was that circumstances have materially changed since the filing of the pleadings. It was said that at the time of filing the original pleadings the appellant was refusing to give vacant possession of the suit premises. The evidence on record showed that the appellant had vacat e d, but had removed a lot of machines from the premises. The intended amendment would be that the appellant had given vacant possession of the suit premises after removing substantial amount of machinery from the premises. It would be contended that the re moval of }{\insrsid4594549 the machinery was unlawfu}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 l and that the appellant should be ordered to return them or pay their value. \line The court granted the respondent leave to amend the plaint. The court made the following order: }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid4594549 \'93Th}{\b\insrsid4594549\charrsid4594549 is should be done within seven }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid4594549 days after th is Order. The amendment shall also be filed and served upon the defendant herein\'94. \line }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 The court\rquote s }{\insrsid4594549 record}{\insrsid4594549\charrsid812264 shows}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 that the ruling was read on }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid4594549 30/5/94}{\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid4594549 at 3.1}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 3p.m. Then on the same day the fol}{\insrsid4594549 lowing note appears: \line }{ \b\insrsid4594549\charrsid4594549 \'9330/5/94}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid4594549 \line Court as before}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \'94 \line }{\ul\insrsid4594549 Mr.}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 . Mubiru }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line Can we set a date for submission}{\insrsid4594549 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Court - This case is adjourned for submission on }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid4594549 15/6/94}{\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 at 3. OOp.m.\'94 \line After some adjournments, lasting for almost 2 years, learned counsel for the respondent began his submissions on 30/4/96. At the end of the long submission, the following notes appeared in the record: \line }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid4594549 \'93 If the court ordered plaintiff to be compensated for value of machinery then some remedy would have been recorded to plaintiff. \line }{\b\insrsid4594549 I talked of Court appointing an}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid4594549 expert to determine value of machines removed you can use S. 101 of CPS and S. 17(3) and 32 of the Judicature Act to make the kind of order. \line As far as ge}{\b\insrsid4594549\charrsid4594549 neral damages are concerned, I }{ \b\insrsid2106126\charrsid4594549 will send a write up on this\'94.}{\b\insrsid4594549\charrsid4594549 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line The write-up for Assessment of General Damages was eventually filed. In it the Judge was requested to appoint an expert to determine the value of the machines to enable the court to assess the amount payable. There is nothing on the record indicating that the court appointed an e}{\insrsid6440225 xpert to value the machinery. }{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \par The court eventually, in its judgment, delivered on the }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid6440225 29/5/96}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 ordered the appellant to return the machinery or pay its value assessed at Shs.}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid6440225 350}{ \i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 million. It also awarded the respondent Shs. 10 million General damages plus costs of the suit. The Decree was extracted and signed by the learned Trial Judge on the same day.}{ \insrsid6440225 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line On the 5th August 1997 the appellant filed a Notice of}{\insrsid6440225 Motion under Order 9 rule 24, o}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 rder 6, rule 23 Order 48 r}{\insrsid6440225 ule 1 order 42 rule 1}{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 and Section 101 of The Civil Procedure Act (Cap. 65) for an Order }{\insrsid6440225 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 (1) Setting aside the }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid6440225 ex-parte}{\b\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 judgment, and \line (11) For leave to plead to the amended plaint. \line The grounds of the application, as can be gathered from the Affidavit of Vincent Kamugisha, are:}{\insrsid2903117 \par }{\insrsid1574745 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 (1) That after the service of summons to enter appearance, the appellant instructed it\rquote s \line Company Secretary to enter appearance and defend the suit; \line (11) That the said C}{ \insrsid1574745 ompany Secretary neither filed }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 an entry of appearance nor a defence to the plaint before he resigned to participate in the Constituency Assembly Elections; }{\insrsid1574745 \line (111) That on 3.11.94 a hea}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 r}{\insrsid1574745 i}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 ng Notice was served on the Director }{\insrsid1574745\charrsid812264 General}{\insrsid1574745 of the appellant\rquote s }{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Company; \line (IV) That the Director General instructed Mr. Kalule Luyomb}{\insrsid1574745 o of M/s. Kalule Luyombo & Co. }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Advocates to act on behalf of the appellant;}{\insrsid1574745 \line (V) That Mr. Kalule Luy}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 ombo, unknown to the appellant, did not take any action on the case; \line (VI) That the appellant got to know that the case had proceeded }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid9131129 ex-parte}{ \b\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 when thei}{\insrsid1574745 r properties were }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 advertised for sale; \line (VII) That the appellant was not ser}{\insrsid9058021 ved with the amended plaint; }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \par }{\insrsid9058021 (VIII}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 ) That appellan}{\insrsid9058021 t did not remove the machinery }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 from the suit pr}{\insrsid9058021 emises as those machinery were }{\insrsid9058021\charrsid812264 vandalized}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 in the 1979 war, and \line (IX) That the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from appeari}{\insrsid9058021 ng on the 20/1/94 when the suit}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 was called for hearing and that the appellant has a good defence to the respondent\rquote s case as none of its properties was ever taken away by the appellant. \line The application was resisted. The learned Judge heard arguments and refused to set the }{\insrsid9058021\charrsid9058021 ex-part}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid9058021 e}{\b\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 judgment aside. He reasoned, firstly, that}{\insrsid9058021 the appellant did not enter an }{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 appearance, Secondly, he was not satisfied }{\insrsid9058021 that the appellant instructed M/}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 s. Kalule Luyombo & Co. Advocates to repres ent them, and thirdly, he was of the opinion that, even though the court ordered the amended plaint to be served on the appellant, that was not necessary because since the appellant had neither entered an appearance nor filed a defence, it had put itself outside the court. Consequently he held that the appellant h}{\insrsid9058021 ad not shown sufficient cause u}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 nder Order 9 rule 24 of the CPR to warrant the grant of its application. He also declined to order a review under Order 42 of the CPR on the ground that to do so would make the applicant achieve through the back door what it could not lawfully a}{ \insrsid9058021 chieve through the front door u}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 nder Order 9 rule 24 of the CPR. \line There are five grounds of appeal, but}{\insrsid9058021 I do not find it necessary to }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 set them out. The main thrust of th}{\insrsid9058021 e a}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 ppeal is whether the Judge exercised his discretion judicially when he refused to set aside the }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid9058021 exparte}{ \b\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 judgment. \line There is no dispute that the appellant did not enter an appearance. It also did not file any written statement of defence. The }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid9058021 ex-parte} {\b\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 judgment was therefore regularly entered against it in default of pleadings. \line I propose to begin with the following statement of Fry L. J. in }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid9058021 Anlaby v Praetorius (1888)}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid9058021 20 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 GBD 764 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid9058021 at 769.}{\b\ul\insrsid9058021 \par }{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid9058021 \'93There is a strong distinction between setting aside a judgment for}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 irregularity, in which case the court has no discretion to refuse to set it aside and setting it aside where the judgment, though regular, has been obtained through some slip or error on the part of the }{\b\insrsid9058021 defend}{ \b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 ant, in which case the court has discretion to impose terms as a condition for granting the defendant relief\rquote . \line }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 The court clearly has a discretion whether to grant the prayer or not. As was said by Kay L. J. }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid15080023 in }{\b\ul\insrsid9058021\charrsid15080023 Jenkins v Bushby }{\b\ul\insrsid15080023\charrsid15080023 \{}{ \b\ul\insrsid9058021\charrsid15080023 1189\}}{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid15080023 1 1}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\i\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Ch. }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid15080023 484 \'93The}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 court cannot be bound by }{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 a }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid15080023 previous decision to exercise it\rquote s}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{ \b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 discretion in a particular }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid15080023 way,}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 because}{\b\ul\insrsid15080023 that would be in effect putting}{ \b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 an end to the discretion\'94. }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\insrsid2903117 Discretion}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 necessarily involves }{ \insrsid15080023\charrsid812264 latitude}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid15080023 of individual choice according}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 to the particular circumstances, and differs from a case where the decision follows }{\b\i\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid15080023 ex}{\i\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\i\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 debito}{\b\i\ul\insrsid15080023 j}{ \b\i\ul\insrsid15080023\charrsid15080023 ustiti}{\b\i\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid15080023 ae}{\i\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 once the facts are known. \line In a case like the present there is a judgment, which though by default, is a regular judgment. Therefore the appellant must show how the discretion to set aside should be exercised in its }{\insrsid15080023\charrsid812264 favor}{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 . The primary consideration is whether there is merit to which the court should pay heed; if merits are shown the court will not prima facie desire to let judgment pass on which there ha s been no proper adjudication. Here the appellants denied that they removed the machinery from the premises. That clearly shows an issue which the court should have tried. The court might also have regard to the appellants\rquote explanation why it neglected to appear after being served, though, as a rule, its fault (if any) in that respect can be sufficiently punished by the terms as to costs or otherwise which the court, in its discretion, is empowered to impose. The appellant here has an explanation. It said }{\insrsid15080023 that the }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 summon to enter appearance and the plaint were given to }{\insrsid15080023\charrsid812264 its}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Secretary with instructions to enter appearance and file defence. The Company Secretary neglected to }{\insrsid15080023\charrsid812264 carry}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 out the instructions for }{\insrsid15080023\charrsid812264 reasons}{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 best known to himself and later resigne}{\insrsid15080023 d }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 & from the Company to seek}{\insrsid15080023 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 his fortunes in a Constituency Assembly \line Elections. The Company also instructed M/s. Kalule Luyombo & Co. Advocates to represent them, but they neglected to do so. The truth of this explanation is however denied by the respondent. But a t this stage I see no reason why the Company should be disbelieved on what appears to me to be mere conflict of affidavits. Besides the explanation, the court ought to have considered the nature of the action. This was an action involving millions of shil l ings. There is also the issue concerning the amended plaint. When applying for the amendment, counsel for the respondent told the court that the circumstances have materially changed since the filing of the suit. The changed circumstances were the allegat ion that the appellant had removed the machinery from the premises. The appellant was condemned to return those machinery or pay Shs.}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 350}{\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 million to the respondent. Yet this amended plaint was not served on the defendant. In my view that was an error. The app}{\insrsid3764665 ellant }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 might have had good reasons for n}{\insrsid3764665 ot defending the original plaint. But it was wrong to assume that it}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 would not have defended the amended plaint that introduced a new element that was not in the original plaint.}{\insrsid2903117 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line The principle that should guide the court in such matters was aptly stated by }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 Lord }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Atkin }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 in}{ \ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Evans v Bartlam }{\b\ul\insrsid3764665\charrsid3764665 (1937)}{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 A C 473 at 480. }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{ \b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \'93The }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 principle obviously is }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 that }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 unless and until the }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 Court has pronounced a judgment}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 upon the merits or by consent, it is to have power to revoke the expression of its coercive power where that had only been obtained by failure to follow any of the rules of procedure.\'94 }{\b\ul\insrsid3764665 \par }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 \line }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 This principle must be fortified by the following observation of }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 Ainley J}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 in }{ \b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 Jammadas Sodlia v Gordhandas Hemraj}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 (1952}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 ) }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 U }{ \b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 S R }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 7 at 11:}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 \'93}{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 I think it should always be remembered that to deny the subject a hearing should be the last resort of a court\'94. }{\b\ul\insrsid3764665 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Clearly, the circumstances require that the case be heard on its merit. If I may paraphrase the views of Clauson L. J in }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 Redditch Benefit Building}{ \b\ul\insrsid3764665\charrsid3764665 Society v Roberts, 1940}{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 1 All. E. R}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid3764665 342,}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 the defendants are here and are anxious to be put in a position to defend the case. Looking at the matter from the Plaintiff/Respondent\rquote s side, I do not think they will be prejudiced or suffer hardship if they can be compensated in costs. \line It follows}{\insrsid863707 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 n what I have said that the learned Judge}{\insrsid863707 was wrong in refusing the ap}{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 plication to set aside the }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid863707 ex-parte}{\b\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid863707\charrsid812264 judgment}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 I have seen that if the decision is allowed to stand, it will result in injustice being done. This court, in such a situation, has the power and the duty to remedy the injustice. \line I would therefore allow the appeal. The }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid863707 ex-parte}{ \b\i\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 judgment is hereby set aside on terms that the appellant pa ys the costs thrown away. The appellant is granted leave to plead to the amended plaint within 14 days from date of judgment. The appellant will have the costs of the appeal and the court below. \line }{\insrsid2903117 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Dated at Kampala }{\insrsid2903117 this }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 2}{\super\insrsid863707\charrsid863707 nd}{\insrsid2903117 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 day of}{\insrsid863707 July}{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid863707 1998}{\b\insrsid863707 \par J. P. BERKO}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 JUSTICE OF APPEAL. }{\b\insrsid863707 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid863707 JUDGMENT OF ENGWAU, J. A.}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line I have had the benefit of reading the judgment of J. P. Berko, JA in draft and I agree with it. The learned trial Judge was wrong in}{\insrsid863707 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 refusing the application to set aside the ex-parte judgment and gr}{ \insrsid863707 an}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 t leave to the appellant to plead the amended plaint. \line In the result I would allow appeal along the terms made by Berko, }{\insrsid863707 J. A }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\insrsid863707 Date}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 d at Kampala this}{\insrsid863707 2}{\super\insrsid863707\charrsid863707 nd}{\insrsid863707 day of July 1998}{\insrsid15601758 .}{\insrsid863707 \line }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{ \b\insrsid2106126\charrsid863707 S}{\b\insrsid863707\charrsid863707 .}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid863707 G. ENGWAU \line }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid863707 JUSTICE OF APPEAL. }{\b\ul\insrsid8668791 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid8668791 JUDGMENT OF G. M \bullet OKELLO, JA.}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line I have had the benefit to read in draft the judgme}{ \insrsid2903117 nt prepared by Berko JA}{\insrsid8668791 and I a}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 g}{\insrsid8668791 re}{\insrsid2903117 e}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 entirely with it. }{\insrsid8668791 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid8668791 As}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 Engwau }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid8668791 JA}{\insrsid11162165 }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid8668791 .}{\insrsid11162165\charrsid11162165 a}{ \insrsid8668791\charrsid8668791 ls}{\insrsid11162165 o }{\insrsid8668791\charrsid8668791 agrees}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 , }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid8668791 the appeal}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\insrsid8668791 is}{ \insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 allowed on the term}{\insrsid8668791 s }{\insrsid8668791\charrsid8668791 proposed by Be}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid8668791 rko JA.}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\insrsid8668791 Dated at Kampala this 2}{ \super\insrsid8668791\charrsid8668791 nd}{\super\insrsid11162165 }{\insrsid8668791 day of July 1998}{\super\insrsid8668791 }{\super\insrsid11162165 \par }{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 G. M.}{\b\insrsid2106126\charrsid11162165 OKELLO}{\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 \line }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid11162165 JUSTICE OF APPEAL}{\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid812264 }{\b\ul\insrsid2106126\charrsid8668791 \par }}