[2011] UGHC 68

[2011] UGHC 68

The High Court found that the trial magistrate fundamentally erred by admitting and relying on evidence from unsummoned witnesses and public opinion during the locus-in-quo visit. This contravened established civil procedure, which requires that only parties and their witnesses, who have already testified in court,...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2011] UGHC 68
Parties
Appellant: Paineto Omwero; Respondent: Saulo S/o Zebuloni
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
HCT-04-CV-CA-0031-2010
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
appeal_allowed
Legal Topics
Locus in Quo Procedure, Admissibility of Evidence, Land Ownership Disputes
Source Language
en
Civil Procedure Land and Property Locus in Quo Procedure Admissibility of Evidence Land Ownership Disputes

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Parties

Paineto Omwero

Appellant

Saulo S/o Zebuloni

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the trial magistrate erred in law by admitting public opinion as evidence at the locus-in-quo, thereby occasioning a miscarriage of justice.
  2. 2 Whether the trial magistrate failed to properly evaluate the evidence and disregarded the appellant's evidence in relation to exhibit P.1D1.
  3. 3 Whether the trial magistrate's reliance on evidence from unsummoned witnesses at the locus-in-quo rendered the trial unfair.

Ratio Decidendi

The High Court found that the trial magistrate fundamentally erred by admitting and relying on evidence from unsummoned witnesses and public opinion during the locus-in-quo visit. This contravened established civil procedure, which requires that only parties and their witnesses, who have already testified in court, may clarify their evidence at the locus-in-quo, and that all such evidence must be given on oath with opportunity for cross-examination. The trial magistrate's reliance on evidence from individuals who were not called as witnesses during the trial, and who were not subject to cross-examination, rendered the proceedings unfair and the resulting judgment a nullity. This...

Court Disposition

appeal_allowed

Orders

  • The appeal is allowed.
  • The judgment and decree of the lower court are set aside.