[1991] UGHC 3
The court found that the applicant's counsel had provided an affidavit explaining the mistaken belief about the hearing time, and there was no evidence to controvert this explanation. The court was satisfied that sufficient cause was shown for the non-appearance. Accordingly, the dismissal order was set aside, and...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [1991] UGHC 3
- Parties
- Applicant: Selestine Rwanga; Respondent: Stephen Baitwababo
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Case Number
- Civil Miscellaneous Application No. DR. MFP 2/88
- Procedural Posture
- Miscellaneous Application / Application for Re Admission After Dismissal for Non Appearance
- Outcome
- application allowed; dismissal set aside; application reinstated
- Legal Topics
- Reinstatement of Application, Dismissal for Nonappearance, Sufficient Cause, Affidavit Evidence
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Selestine Rwanga
Applicant
Stephen Baitwababo
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Miscellaneous Application / Application for Re Admission After Dismissal for Non Appearance
Legal Issues
- 1 Whether sufficient cause was shown for the applicant's non-appearance when the application was called for hearing.
- 2 Whether the application should be reinstated after dismissal for want of prosecution.
Ratio Decidendi
The court found that the applicant's counsel had provided an affidavit explaining the mistaken belief about the hearing time, and there was no evidence to controvert this explanation. The court was satisfied that sufficient cause was shown for the non-appearance. Accordingly, the dismissal order was set aside, and the application was reinstated. The court ordered that a new hearing date be fixed to dispose of the matter on its merits, with costs of the application to be costs in the cause.
Court Disposition
application allowed; dismissal set aside; application reinstated
Orders
- The order dismissing the application is set aside.
- The application is reinstated.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
1 paragraphs
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MFP }{\insrsid12980454\charrsid3829797 2/88 \par }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 (Original Fort Portal }{\insrsid12980454\charrsid3829797 Chief Magistrate\rquote s Court C. A.) \par }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 No. MFF 63/87)}{\i\insrsid12980454\charrsid3829797 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12980454 {\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 SELESTINE RWANGA::::::::::::::::}{\insrsid3829797 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 ::::::::::::::APPLICANT }{\insrsid12980454\charrsid3829797 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6839082 {\insrsid12980454\charrsid3829797 VERSUS \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12980454 {\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 STEPHEN BAITWABABO::: ::: :: }{\insrsid12980454\charrsid3829797 ::::: : :::}{ \insrsid3829797 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::}{\insrsid12980454\charrsid3829797 : : :: : :RESPONDENT \par BEFORE:}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\ul\insrsid12980454\charrsid3829797 THE}{\ul\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 HONOURABLE MR, JUSTICE I. MUKANZA }{\insrsid12980454\charrsid3829797 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6839082 {\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 This is an application by notice}{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 of motion broug ht under order }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 39}{\i\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 rule 16 of the Civil Procedure Rule}{\insrsid3829797 s by the applicant seeking for }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 r}{ \insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 e-adm}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 ission of the application which was dismissed on 25}{\super\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 th}{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 February}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{ \insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 1991 f}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 or lack of }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 prosecution when the said applicant n}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 ever appeared when }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 the }{ \insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 appli}{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 cation was called for hearing. \par }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 The grounds for the }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 application was that the coun}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 sel for the }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 applicant}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 was late on the date fixed for the hearing of t}{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 he application under the mistaken}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 impression}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 that the application was to be heard at 9.30 and not 8.30}{\i\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 a.m. \par }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 The second ground in support of the application was that the application contains }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 important points of law and fact}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 s and deserves to be heard on its merits. }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 \par }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 There is an affidavit in support of the application deponed to by Vincent William Nyakabwa the learned counsel representing the applicant. }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 \par }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 In his }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 submission}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 M}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 r. }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 M}{ \insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 usa}{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 na th}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 e }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 learne}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 d counsel ap}{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 pearing or the applicant from the firm of Nyakabwa & Co}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 . Advocates relied on what was deponed to by Mr}{\i\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 .}{\b\i\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 Nyakabwa and the grounds }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 in support of the application. \par }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 Mr. Mugamba}{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 on the other hand opposed the a}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 pplication. While submitting on the first ground that }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 Mr.}{ \insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 Nyakabwa was mistaken about the time the case was to be heard at 9.30 whereas the case was called at 8.30 }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 am}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid6839082\charrsid3829797 he sub}{ \insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 mitted that Mr. Nyakabwa was seasoned advo}{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 cate could not have been m}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 istaken about}{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 time. The courts start at 9.00a.m. The court process give}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 s the time at 8.30}{\i\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 a.m. }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 And M}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 r. Nyakabwa should have be}{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 en the first person to arrive. \par }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 On }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 the second ground of the applic}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 ation the }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 l}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 earn}{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 e}{ \insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 d }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 counsel}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 submitted}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 that he was handicapped. He could not advise the }{ \insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 court}{\insrsid3829797 properly. }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 The counsel should }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 have}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 attached the memorandum of appeal in o}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 rder for him to be able to argue the merits of the app}{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 lication. \par I have very carefully}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 considered the submission by the learned c}{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 ounsel appearing for the p}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 arties. Order 39 rule 16}{\i\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{ \insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 talks of re\emdash admission of an app}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 eal which ad been dismissed for default where it is proved }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 that the ap}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 pellant was prevented by any sufficient cause from appearing when the a}{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 ppeal was called for hearing. \par Also under O}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 rder 9 }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 R}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 ule 15 of the CPR where }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 a suit is dismissed under rule 1}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 4 where neither party a}{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 ppears the pl}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 ainti}{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 ff may apply for an order to}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 set the dismissal aside if he satisfies the court that there was sufficient cause for his nor appearance. Under }{\insrsid7289444\charrsid3829797 section 2 of the Civil P}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 rocedure Act Cap 65}{ \i\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 a suit is interpreted as meaning all Civil Proceedings }{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 brought before this court by n}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 oti}{ \insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 c}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 e of motion. }{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 \par The}{\i\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 application is for the purpose of this Act a suit and as such }{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 the application}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 is properly}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 before }{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 this court either as under Order 39 R}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 ule 16 or }{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 under}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 order }{ \insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 9 r 15 of the CP. R. \par Turning to th}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 e merits of the application Mr. Nyakabwa swore an affidavit to the}{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 effect that he was under mistaken}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 impression}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 that the application was to be heard}{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 at 9.30 am and arrived in court at aroun}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 d 9.15}{\i\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{ \insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 a.m. only to find that the a}{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 pplication had been dismissed}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 . In the absence of evidence to }{\insrsid10624224\charrsid3829797 controvent}{ \insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 the affidavit as deponed to by Mr. Nyakabwa I am satisfied that there was sufficient cause for the }{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 no}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 n }{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 appearance of}{ \insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 the}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 l}{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 ea}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 rn}{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 ed}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 cou}{ \insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 nsel representing the appli}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 cant when }{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 the}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 application was called for hearing. The order therefore }{ \insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 dismissing}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 the application is se}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 t aside and the}{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 application is reinstated and I or}{ \insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 d}{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 er}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 that a near hearing date be fixed with }{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 a}{\b\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 view dis pose}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 of the}{\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 }{\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 matter. Costs of this application would be costs in the cause. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li6480\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin6480\itap0\pararsid3829797 {\b\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 I. MUKANZA }{\b\i\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 J U D G E }{\b\insrsid3829797\charrsid3829797 \par }{\b\i\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 3/5/9}{\b\i\insrsid11284279 1}{\b\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 \par }\pard\plain \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6839082 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid142278\charrsid3829797 \par }}