[1995] UGHC 4
The court found that neither the illness of counsel nor the alleged lack of preparation constituted sufficient cause for adjournment. The affidavit and medical note were deemed unconvincing and appeared to be tactics to delay the proceedings. The court emphasized that the case had already been adjourned to allow Mr....
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [1995] UGHC 4
- Parties
- Plaintiff: Ples Quality Printers Limited; Defendant: Uganda Commercial Bank
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Case Number
- Civil Suit No. 680 of 1991
- Procedural Posture
- Civil Suit / Ruling on Application for Adjournment
- Outcome
- application for adjournment rejected; hearing to proceed
- Legal Topics
- Adjournment, Court Discretion, Sufficient Cause, Advocate Conduct
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Ples Quality Printers Limited
Plaintiff
Uganda Commercial Bank
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Civil Suit / Ruling on Application for Adjournment
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether sufficient cause was shown to justify the grant of an adjournment.
- 2 Whether the illness of counsel and lack of preparation constitute valid grounds for adjournment.
- 3 Whether the conduct of the advocate in threatening to walk out of court affects the application.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that neither the illness of counsel nor the alleged lack of preparation constituted sufficient cause for adjournment. The affidavit and medical note were deemed unconvincing and appeared to be tactics to delay the proceedings. The court emphasized that the case had already been adjourned to allow Mr. Serwanga to prepare, and he had adequate time to receive instructions and study the file. The threat by counsel to walk out if adjournment was denied was considered improper and unbecoming of an advocate. The court held that it would not perpetuate further delay in an old case and rejected the application for adjournment, ordering the hearing to proceed.
Court Disposition
application for adjournment rejected; hearing to proceed
Orders
- The application for adjournment is rejected.
- The hearing is ordered to proceed forthwith.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
1 paragraphs
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\jclisttab\tx6480\lin6480 }{\listname ;}\listid1719939026}}{\*\listoverridetable{\listoverride\listid1719939026\listoverridecount0\ls1}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid1136994\rsid1333789\rsid1386688\rsid1587665\rsid3609420\rsid3753770\rsid6505950\rsid7698412 \rsid7936093\rsid8018201\rsid8742418\rsid10247159\rsid14439248\rsid14450138\rsid14814804\rsid14877984}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title \'91Ii\'92k }{\author DELL}{\operator skivumbi}{\creatim\yr2009\mo10\dy29\hr12\min4} {\revtim\yr2009\mo11\dy6\hr13\min51}{\version9}{\edmins109}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords874}{\nofchars4986}{\nofcharsws5849}{\vern24689}}\margl1440 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1440\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 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\li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3609420 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\ul\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{ \b\ul\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 \line IN }{\b\ul\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 TH}{\b\ul\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 E HIGH }{\b\ul\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 COURT OF UGANDA}{\b\ul\insrsid8018201 }{\b\ul\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 AT KAMPAL}{\b\ul\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 A \line CIVIL SUIT NO. 680 OF 1991 }{\b\ul\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3609420 {\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 \line }{\b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 PLES QUALITY PRINTERS LIM}{ \b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ITED}{\b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 :::::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid8018201 ::;}{\b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 PLAINTIFF/ APPLICA}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 NT}{\b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 \par \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab VERSUS}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3609420 {\b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 UGANDA COMME}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 RCI}{ \b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 A}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 L BAN}{\b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 K ::::::::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid8018201 ::}{\b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 DEFENDANT/ RESPONDENT \par BEFORE:}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\b\ul\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 THE HON. MR. JUSTICE G. M. OK}{\b\ul\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ELLO}{\b\ul\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 \par }{\b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab }{\b\ul\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 RULING}{\b\ul\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\b\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3609420 {\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 The hearing of}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 this case started on 20/4/95. In}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid3609420\charrsid8018201 the middle of the}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 evidence of the 1st witness for th}{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 e Plai}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 nt}{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 if}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 f, Prof. }{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 Sempebwa }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 who was conducting }{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 the }{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 prosecution of}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 the case for the Plai}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ntiff sought adjournment on the }{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 personal ground that he had recei}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ved a that}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 his }{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 close}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 relative}{ \b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 had}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 bee}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 n arrested.}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 Secondly h}{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 e}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid6505950\charrsid8018201 also}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 wanted time to find a document}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 (letter which in }{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 the}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 course}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 of}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{ \insrsid14439248\charrsid8018201 the evidence}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 transpired was important) I obliged}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 that request and by consent}{\b\i\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 of }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 counsels from}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 all the parties the case }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 was adjourned for further hearing on 29-}{\insrsid1587665\charrsid8018201 30/5/95. \par On 29-5-}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 95 when the case was }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 calle}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 d for resumption}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 of }{ \insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 the \line hearing, Prof. Sempe}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 bwa did not appear but }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 the Plaintiff\rquote }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 s M/D appeared. \line Mr.}{ \b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 Serwanga informed court that}{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 he}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 was instructed to hold the}{ \b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 brief \line for }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 Pr Sempe}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 bwa }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 who he}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{ \insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 said ha}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 d informed him at short notice to}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 \line }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 have had stom}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ach problem}{ \b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 and was unable to attend court, so}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 Serwa}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 nga }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 applied for adjournment. \par }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 The application for }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 adjournme}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 nt }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 was}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 opposed by counsels for the 1st and }{ \insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 2nd Defendants.}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 They thought that Mr. S}{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 erwa}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 nga being from the same Firm}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 of }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 advocates }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 as }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 Sempe}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 bwa could continue with the prosecution of the case. I shared }{ \insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 that view and}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 in order to avoid the delay of the case, allowed the application for adjournment on condition }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 that Mr. Serwan}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ga }{\insrsid14450138\charrsid8018201 st}{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 u}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 died }{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 the}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 relevant file a}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 nd to take over the }{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 prosecution}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 of }{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 the case today. \par But }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 today when the file}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 was called for resum}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ption}{\insrsid1587665\charrsid8018201 of the }{ \insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 hearing, I was surprised when Mr. Se}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 rwanga again applied for adjournm}{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 ent of}{\insrsid6505950 the case, He gave two reasons:-}{ \insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (1)\tab}}\pard \s15\qj \fi-390\li750\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx750\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin750\itap0\pararsid1136994 {\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 Sickness of Prof. Sempebwa who was thereby unable to }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 a}{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 t}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ten}{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 d Court. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1136994 {\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 In }{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 support, Serwa}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 n} {\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 g}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 a referred}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 to }{\insrsid14877984\charrsid8018201 a}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 n }{ \insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 affidavit sworn by Prof. Sempe}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 bwa on 29/5/95 stating that he had personal conduct of }{\insrsid1136994\charrsid8018201 this case end that he was truly}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 sick with an acut}{\insrsid14877984\charrsid8018201 e stomach problem. He attached to the affidavit a Note from \'93Bure}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ka Medi}{\insrsid14877984\charrsid8018201 cal Services\'94}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 dated 29/5/95. The note tended to confirm that Prof.}{\insrsid14877984\charrsid8018201 Sempebwa}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid14877984\charrsid8018201 ha}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 d been havin}{\insrsid14877984\charrsid8018201 g}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid3753770\charrsid8018201 the}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 stomach }{\insrsid3753770\charrsid8018201 proble}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 m as from 25/5/95}{ \insrsid3753770\charrsid8018201 and}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 that he }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 had bee}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 n }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 treate}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 d }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 but recommended be}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 d }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 re}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 st to facilitate}{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 recovery. }{\i\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 \par }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 The}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 second ground advanced }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 by Se}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 rwanga }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 wa}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 s }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 the inadequacy of time within which he}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 could study the file and}{\i\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 to be }{ \insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 able to}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 prosecute the case, According to him, his client had advised him that the case was very technical and that h}{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 e would need more time to stud}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 y the file }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 to}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 understand the }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 case}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 Mr. Serwanga threatened th}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 at if he was not granted }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 the adjournment sought, he}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 would walk out and would leave his client to conduct the case in}{ \b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 the manner he chose. So he}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 reiterate}{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 d his request for adjournment. \par }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 The application for adjournment was }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 opposed by}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 counsels for both }{\insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 defendants.}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 Dr. }{ \insrsid14814804\charrsid8018201 Byamug}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 isha }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 who represented the 2}{\super\insrsid10247159\charrsid6505950 nd}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 Defendant co ntended that there was no sufficient ground shown by}{\i\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 Mr. Serwan}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ga to}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 j}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ustify}{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 the adjournment,}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\b\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 \par O}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 .}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 15 R. 1 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 of}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 the }{ \b\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 CP}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 R }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 gives to court discret}{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 ion in granting adjournment. suc}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 h}{ \insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 discre}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 tion }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 is exercised}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 in}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 favour of the applicant only where }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 he}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 has shown sufficient cause.}{\b\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3609420 {\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 In the instant case, the affidavit of Prof. }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 Sempebwa indicated that he}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 was sick. This was supported by a Note from Bureka Medical service}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 s}{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 .}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 The Note was dated 29/5/95. }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 Ac}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 cording to that note }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 Prof. Sempebwa had}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 been }{ \insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 having stomach problems as from}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 25/5/95}{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 . }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 I do not be}{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 lieve in the truth of those docume}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 nts, }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 they struck me as merely ploys aime}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 d at deceiving }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 court and to perpetrate the delay}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 in disposing of this }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 case}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 . If Prof.}{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 Sempebwa}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{ \insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 had been sick as from 25/5/95 a}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 s}{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 he and his associate would like me to believe, why did he not no}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 tify another counsel } {\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 from}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid10247159\charrsid8018201 their Firm}{\insrsid7698412\charrsid8018201 earlier to take}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 over the handli}{\insrsid7698412\charrsid8018201 ng of the case why did he}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 have to wait }{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 until 29/5/95 when to his knowledge}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 , the case w}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 as due far hea}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 r}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 ing. Even the affidavit and the Note were drawn after Se}{\insrsid6505950 r}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 wanga was ordered to study the file and take over its prosecution. I therefore reject this gr}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ound. }{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 \par As for Mr. Serwanga\rquote s cla}{\insrsid6505950 i}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 m that he did no}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 t }{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 have enough time }{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 to study}{ \insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 the file to be able to take over}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 i}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 t}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 s pros}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 ecutio}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 n }{ \insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 because his client advised him}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 that }{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 the case was very technical, I am not of}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 the view that that w}{ \insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 as no sufficient reason because the case had been}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 adjourned yesterday at 9.10 a.m. He had the}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 whole o}{ \insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 f}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 the day to study the ca}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 se. In any case the fault was mainly with th}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 e}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 m to wait until the hearing day. He had the whole d}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ay }{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 with the Plaintiff\rquote s M/D to receive all the desired}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 instructions t}{ \insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 o enable him proceed with}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 the}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 prosecution of the case.}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 It is not the clie}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 nt to advise his lawyer o the tech}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 nicality of a case, I also reject this ground }{\i\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 as }{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 insufficient to justify grant of adjournment. \par Mr. Se}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 rwanga threatened that if this court did not}{\insrsid1386688\charrsid8018201 grant him the adjournment sought, be would walk out of court. That ultimatum}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 was intended}{ \insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 to intimidate}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 court. It is unfortunate tha}{\insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 t a court official like Serwanga should make such unfortunate threat. It i}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 s unbe}{\insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 coming of an Advocate }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 to behave lik}{\insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 e that.}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 It is }{\insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 important}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 that such conduct is brought to the attention of the law council for appropriate action as this is a clear case of }{\insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 discipline}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 . }{ \insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 Courts do not operate under thre}{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 ats like that.}{\insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 Nonetheless I refused to succumb to that threat.}{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 \par }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 Considering all the }{\insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 circumstances}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 of the }{\insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 case, }{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 I find that }{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 no sufficient cause }{\insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 was shown to justify grant of the adjournme}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 nt sought. }{\insrsid1333789\charrsid8018201 This is an old ca se and the hearing has dragged on for a long time}{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 . I do not think that it serve}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 s any of the parties any go}{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 od to delay it any furthe}{ \insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 r}{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 .}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 At }{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 least I would not like to be see}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 n to be}{\b\i\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{ \insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 perpetrating the delay.}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 The application is therefore }{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 rejected }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 and}{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 }{ \insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 h}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 e}{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 a}{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 ring }{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 is ordered to proceed. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li5760\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin5760\itap0\pararsid8018201 {\insrsid8018201 }{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85}{\insrsid8018201 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85}{ \insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 G. M. OKELLO JUDGE }{\insrsid8018201 }{\insrsid7936093\charrsid8018201 }{\b\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 30/1/95 }{\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 \par }\pard\plain \qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7936093 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid8742418\charrsid8018201 \par }}