[2008] UGHC 77
The court found that the applicant, charged with serious offences carrying severe penalties, was required to demonstrate exceptional circumstances to justify release on bail. Despite the applicant's arguments regarding residence, sureties, family responsibilities, and lack of prior convictions, the court held that...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2008] UGHC 77
- Parties
- Applicant: Opio Bua James; Respondent: Uganda
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Case Number
- Misc. App.No. 1 of 2008
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Second Bail Application
- Outcome
- application dismissed
- Legal Topics
- Bail Application, Exceptional Circumstances, Remand Periods, Judicial Discretion
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Opio Bua James
Applicant
Uganda
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Ruling on Second Bail Application
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether the applicant has demonstrated exceptional circumstances justifying release on bail for serious offences.
- 2 Whether the court should exercise its discretion to grant bail in the absence of exceptional circumstances.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant, charged with serious offences carrying severe penalties, was required to demonstrate exceptional circumstances to justify release on bail. Despite the applicant's arguments regarding residence, sureties, family responsibilities, and lack of prior convictions, the court held that no exceptional circumstance had been established. While the court acknowledged its discretionary power to grant bail even in the absence of exceptional circumstances, it emphasized that the applicant bore the burden of presenting an overall set of circumstances beyond the ordinary to persuade the court to exercise such discretion. In this case, the applicant failed to discharge...
Court Disposition
application dismissed
Orders
- The application for bail is dismissed.
- The applicant may renew the application if new circumstances arise.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
1 paragraphs
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Case No. 492/2007 & 507/2008) \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16022809 {\b\dbch\af12\insrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 OPIO BUA JAMES\tab :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::}{ \b\dbch\af12\insrsid16022809\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 APPLICANT \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16022809 {\b\dbch\af12\insrsid16022809\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 VERSUS \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16022809 {\b\dbch\af12\insrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 UGANDA::::::::::::::\hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::}{\b\dbch\af12\insrsid16022809\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 RESPONDENT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16022809 {\b\ul\dbch\af12\insrsid16022809\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 BEFORE: HON. JUSTICE REMMY KASULE \par \par \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 RULING \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8747180 {\dbch\af12\insrsid16022809\charrsid8747180 \par \tab \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 The applicant is charged with robbery c/s 285 and 286 of the Penal Code Act, and unlawful possession of ammunitions c/s 3(2) (a) of the firearms Act\hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 . He applies to be released on bail, this being his second application, the first one i.e. Criminal Miscellaneous Application No. 1 of 2008, having been refused by this court on 12.02.2008, as court found that the applicant had not discharged the burden \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 u\hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 pon him to persuade court to exercise its discretion by releasing him on bail. \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid11613960\charrsid8747180 \tab \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 The applicant, a member of the Uganda Police Force, who at the material time, was second in-charge of Kangai Police Post, bases his application for bail on the grounds that he \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 has permanent residence, produced substantial sureties, supports his wife, children and relatives, some}{\dbch\af12\insrsid12281601\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 }{\dbch\af12\insrsid11613960\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 elderly, and enjoys the constitutional presumption of innocence. He has been on remand since 30.11.2007, }{\dbch\af12\insrsid13791994\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 an}{\dbch\af12\insrsid14577990\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 d his continued remand deprives him of a}{\dbch\af12\insrsid13791994\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 }{\dbch\af12\insrsid14577990\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 fai\hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 r and speedy trial. He has never }{\dbch\af12\insrsid11613960\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 been convicted of any crime}{\dbch\af12\insrsid14577990\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 before}{ \dbch\af12\insrsid11613960\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 , has not interfered with any witnesses or }{\dbch\af12\insrsid12281601\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 investigations}{\dbch\af12\insrsid11613960\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 , and there is no }{\dbch\af12\insrsid12281601\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 evidence}{\dbch\af12\insrsid14577990\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 that }{\dbch\af12\insrsid11613960\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 he will}{\dbch\af12\insrsid14577990\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 ,}{\dbch\af12\insrsid11613960\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 if released on bail. \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid14296897\charrsid8747180 \tab \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 On the other hand, the offences of robbery by use of a gun,}{\dbch\af12\insrsid11482025\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 }{ \dbch\af12\insrsid14296897\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 and that\hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 of being in unlawful possession of ammunitions are very serious offences}{\dbch\af12\insrsid11482025\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 carrying respective maximum sentences of death and imprisonment up to ten (10) years.}{\dbch\af12\insrsid14296897\charrsid8747180 \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid11482025\charrsid8747180 \tab \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 Given the serious nature of the said offences, the applicant }{\dbch\af12\insrsid14577990\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 would}{ \dbch\af12\insrsid11482025\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 , in the normal course of thi\hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 ngs, be required to prove the existence of }{\dbch\af12\insrsid14577990\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 an }{ \dbch\af12\insrsid11482025\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 exceptional circumstance before }{\dbch\af12\insrsid10755488\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 being}{\dbch\af12\insrsid11482025\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 released on bail: }{\ul\dbch\af12\insrsid11482025\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 See }{\ul\dbch\af12\insrsid13858514\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 S}{\ul\dbch\af12\insrsid11482025\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 ections 14 and 15 of the Trial on Indictments Act. \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid10755488\charrsid8747180 \tab \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 No exceptional circumstance has been proved by the applicant. \par \tab \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 The absence of exceptional circums\hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 tances, not withstanding, this court, has, in the exercise of its }{\dbch\af12\insrsid6308227\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 discretion}{ \dbch\af12\insrsid10755488\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 , powers to release the applicant on bail:}{\dbch\af12\insrsid6308227\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 }{\ul\dbch\af12\insrsid6308227\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 See Constitutional Court Constitutional Reference No. 20 of 2005: Uganda(DPP) vs Col. Rtd. Dr. Kiiza Besigye}{\ul\dbch\af12\insrsid10755488\charrsid8747180 \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid14427979\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 }{\dbch\af12\insrsid13858514\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 a}{\dbch\af12\insrsid14427979\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 nd \par }{\ul\dbch\af12\insrsid14427979\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 Co\hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 nstitutional Court Constitutional Petition No. 20 of 2006}{\dbch\af12\insrsid14427979\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 }{ \b\ul\dbch\af12\insrsid14427979\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 Foundation For Human Rights Initiatives \par }{\b\dbch\af12\insrsid14427979\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 Versus \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8747180 {\b\ul\dbch\af12\insrsid14427979\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 Attorney General. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8747180 {\dbch\af12\insrsid14427979\charrsid8747180 \tab \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 The burden is upon the applicant to put before court such an overall set of circumstances, going beyond the normal\hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 considerations, to convince court to exercise its discretion by granting bail. \par \tab }{\dbch\af12\insrsid15283352\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 In this particular application, this court finds that the applicant has not discharged that burden.}{\dbch\af12\insrsid14427979\charrsid8747180 \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid15283352\charrsid8747180 \tab \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 The application for}{\dbch\af12\insrsid725082\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 }{\dbch\af12\insrsid15283352\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 bail }{ \dbch\af12\insrsid725082\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 fails}{\dbch\af12\insrsid15283352\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 . The same stands dismissed. The same may \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 be renewed as and when the applicant, in his judgment}{\dbch\af12\insrsid14577990\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 , }{\dbch\af12\insrsid15283352\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 is in }{\dbch\af12\insrsid725082\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 possession}{\dbch\af12\insrsid15283352\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 of such set of circumstances for court to exercise its discretion by granting bail. \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid725082\charrsid8747180 \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid13858514\charrsid8747180 \par \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid725082\charrsid8747180 \loch\af0\dbch\af12\hich\f0 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85 \par \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 Remmy Kasule \par \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 Judge \par \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 23}{\super\dbch\af12\insrsid725082\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 rd}{\dbch\af12\insrsid725082\charrsid8747180 \hich\af0\dbch\af12\loch\f0 May 2008 \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid11482025\charrsid8747180 \par }{\dbch\af12\insrsid8145945\charrsid8747180 \par }}