[1999] UGCA 13

[1999] UGCA 13

The Court of Appeal found that the trial judge misdirected himself by relying on section 13(2) of the Penal Code Act instead of section 13(4), which specifically addresses the effect of intoxication on criminal responsibility. The evidence established that the appellant was intoxicated and incapable of forming...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1999] UGCA 13
Parties
Appellant: Too Okema Moses; Respondent: Uganda
Court
Court of Appeal of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
Criminal Appeal No. 7 of 1999
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
appeal_allowed
Legal Topics
Intoxication, Malice Aforethought, Manslaughter, Murder, Sentencing, Defence of Alibi
Source Language
en
Criminal Law Intoxication Malice Aforethought Manslaughter Murder Sentencing Defence of Alibi

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Parties

Too Okema Moses

Appellant

Uganda

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge properly considered the defence of intoxication in relation to malice aforethought.
  2. 2 Whether the conviction for murder was sustainable given the evidence of intoxication.
  3. 3 Whether the sentence imposed was appropriate in light of the facts.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court of Appeal found that the trial judge misdirected himself by relying on section 13(2) of the Penal Code Act instead of section 13(4), which specifically addresses the effect of intoxication on criminal responsibility. The evidence established that the appellant was intoxicated and incapable of forming malice aforethought at the time of the offence. Consequently, the conviction for murder could not stand. The court quashed the murder conviction and substituted it with manslaughter under section 182 of the Penal Code Act, imposing a sentence of 10 years imprisonment, taking into account the period the appellant had spent on remand.

Court Disposition

appeal_allowed

Orders

  • Conviction for murder quashed.
  • Sentence of death set aside.