[2009] UGHC 198

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.}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT ARUA \par \par CRIMINAL SESSION CASE NO. 0080/2008 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 \par }{\b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 UGANDA }{\b\insrsid10698482 }{\b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 ::::::::}{\b\insrsid10698482 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::: }{\b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 PROSECUTOR

\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 =VERSUS= \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 JACAN CHARLES }{\b\insrsid10698482 }{\b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 :}{\b\insrsid10698482 }{ \b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: }{\b\insrsid10698482 }{\b\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 ACCUSED \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\b\ul\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 JUDGMENT \par }{\b\ul\insrsid10698482\charrsid10698482 BEFORE HON. JUSTICE J. W.}{\b\ul\insrsid10698482 }{\b\ul\insrsid10698482\charrsid10698482 KWESIGA}{\b\ul\insrsid11039379\charrsid10698482 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 JACAN CHARLES hereinafter called the Accused person stands indicted for Aggravated defilement contrary to sect}{\insrsid10698482 ion 129 (3) of the penal code. }{\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 It is alleged that on 12}{ \super\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 th}{\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 November 2007 at Nnyamlia village, Nebbi District he had unlawful sexual intercourse with Wiango Oliver a girl under the age of 14 years. }{\insrsid5460797 \par }{\insrsid10698482\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 The accused person pleaded not guilty and the prosecution proceeded to prove all the contentious issues in this case namely:- \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid10698482 { \insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 Whether the alleged victim was aged below 14 years? \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}Whether there was sexual intercourse with the said Wiango Oliver? \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}Whether the accused had the alleged sexual intercourse? \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 See }{\b\ul\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 BASITA HUSSEIN VS UGANDA CR. APPEAL 35 OF 1995 (SCU). }{ \insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 }{\insrsid10698482 \par \par }{\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 The moment an accused person pleads not guilty to a criminal charge, the burden of proof entirely falls upon the prosecution. The prosecution must adduce evidence that proves beyond reasonable doubt that the offence was committed and it was committed by the accused person. See }{\b\ul\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 R Vs SIMS (1946) I K. B. 5}{\b\ul\insrsid10698482 .}{\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid10698482\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid5460797\charrsid10698482 The complainant PW1 Wiango Oliver testified that she knew the accused person and that }{\insrsid13111874\charrsid10698482 on 11}{\super\insrsid13111874\charrsid10698482 th}{\insrsid13111874\charrsid10698482 April 2004 he had sexual intercourse with her. She went to attend a film show with AROMA up to 10.00 pm. The film was followed by a disco dance which AROMA }{\insrsid10698482 attended until late.}{\insrsid13111874\charrsid10698482 She de}{ \insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 cided to go to her aunt\rquote s home, h}{\insrsid13111874\charrsid10698482 er aunt called AROMBO, PW.2}{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 . W}{\insrsid13111874\charrsid10698482 hen she was about to reach Arombo\rquote s place the accused came riding}{\insrsid6752832\charrsid10698482 a bicycle and gave her a lift and when she reached the point of getting off the bicycle he stopped, got off the bicycle held her arm forced her down and started having}{\insrsid10698482 sexual intercourse with her. }{\insrsid6752832\charrsid10698482 She ma}{\insrsid10698482 de alarm and AROMBO responded. }{\insrsid6752832\charrsid10698482 Arombo made alarm and neighbours came to the scene. The matter was referred to Warr police post. Although the incident happened at 5.00 am she was able to see the accused because there was moonlight.}{\insrsid5460797 \par }{\insrsid10698482\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid6752832\charrsid10698482 Under cross \endash examination she described what happened at the scene. He put his sexual organ into hers while he was pressing his knees on the ground. She heard people call him JACAN when th ey responded to the alarm}{\insrsid14831596\charrsid10698482 . She did not know him before.}{\insrsid6752832 \par }{\insrsid10698482\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid14831596\charrsid10698482 PW.2 AROMBO AGNES materially corroborated the victim\rquote s evidence that at 5.00 am on the day of the offence she heard PW.1 crying while calling her name for help. She went to the scene and found JAC AN having sexual intercourse with the victim while he was half naked.}{\insrsid13978077\charrsid10698482 She made alarm and people responded. The LC I chairman later referred the matter to Warr police post.}{\insrsid14831596 \par }{\insrsid10698482\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid13978077\charrsid10698482 Under cross \endash examination she confirmed she saw what was happening, he had fixed his male sexual organ into the girl\rquote s sexual organ. He was on top of the girl, she was shouting, it was 5.00 am and there was moon light. \par \par PW.3 OLAMA SEZERENA gave evidence of the victim\rquote s age as having been born to her in 2005. However this witness appeared not educated in matters of dates and this error was understandable}{\insrsid3345749\charrsid10698482 . }{\insrsid10698482

\par \par }{\insrsid3345749\charrsid10698482 The medical evidence of Odongo Joel was not adduced because the defence objected to its being presented by Dr. Onzubo Paul because Odongo Joel was capable of being traced. This medic al officer who examined the victim was not traced or called before the closure of the prosecution case. A prime facie case was found based on the evidence of PW.1 and PW.2, the accused proceeded to defend himself not on oath.}{ \insrsid5330590\charrsid10698482 }{\insrsid13978077\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid5330590\charrsid10698482 In his unsworn testimony}{\insrsid10698482 ,}{\insrsid5330590\charrsid10698482 the accused confirmed that on 12}{\super\insrsid5330590\charrsid10698482 th}{\insrsid5330590\charrsid10698482 November 2007 at about 5.00 am he gave a lift on his bicycle to PW.1 the victim. He carried her up to the home of PW.2 AROMBO. That out of the blue PW.2 appeared and accused him of having sexual intercourse with the victim . They struggled over the bicycle, he pushed her and threatened to beat her so she made an alarm and people responded. He was later, that day, arrested and subsequently charged with defilement of the victim, PW.1 in this case. \par \par At the close of the evidence as a whole the prosecution contended they had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. The defence contended that all the ingredients of the offence were not proved beyond reasonable doubt.}{\insrsid5330590 \par }{\insrsid10698482\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid5330590\charrsid10698482 I will now examine the available evidence to determine whethe r or not the case stands proved. The victim testified that she was 14 years old at the time of giving her evidence which would imply she was 12 years in 2007 when the offence is alleged to have been committed. She testified that she does not go to sch ool and she did not give evidence of how she came to know her age since she did not give evidence of her date of birth. In another aspect of her evidence regarding dates, she testified that the offence occurred on 11}{ \super\insrsid5330590\charrsid10698482 th}{\insrsid5330590\charrsid10698482 November 2004 whereas the charge sheet and the summary of evidence state 12}{\super\insrsid5330590\charrsid10698482 th}{\insrsid5330590\charrsid10698482 November 2007, this vis-avis the rest of the evidence is a minor error.}{\insrsid8481989\charrsid10698482 }{\insrsid5330590 \par }{\insrsid7698184\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid8481989\charrsid10698482 PW.3 SEZERENA OLAMA testified that she is the mother of the victim and that she was born in 2005 which would }{\insrsid14103320\charrsid10698482 have made her 2 years old in 200 7, certainly the girl was not born in 2005 because she was much older than 4 years at the time of testimony. The unanswered }{\insrsid5078468\charrsid10698482 issue is}{\insrsid14103320\charrsid10698482 when was the victim born and how old was she at the time of alleged offence?}{\insrsid8481989 \par }{\insrsid7698184\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid4525904\charrsid10698482 The answer could not be found in the evidence }{\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 of prosecution witness number three, the victim\rquote s mother.}{\insrsid4525904\charrsid10698482 \par \par The medical evidence which would have helped in the circumstances was not adduced leaving the age to be assessed by Court\rquote s observation. \par PW.1 and PW.2 testified that there was sexual intercourse c ommitted by the accused which the accused person denied. In sexual offences the victim is always the best witness in the issue of penetration and identification but once that evidence is not cogent it can not sustain a conviction unless it is corroborate d by independent evidence. Where there is cogent evidence of the victim, the trial court is entitled to act on the evidence even without corroboration.}{\insrsid4525904 \par }{\insrsid7698184\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid4525904\charrsid10698482 PW.1 the victim, gave sworn testimony because she testified when she was 14 years or above and she a}{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 bly described how sexual intercourse occurred. That the accused person opened his trousers}{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 \rquote }{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 zip}{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 ,}{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 removed his penis and put it in her sexual organ after removing her pants. She made Alarm and her aunt found him on top of the victim having sexual intercourse. }{\insrsid7698184 \par \par }{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 PW.2 Arombo corrob}{\insrsid7698184 orated the victim\rquote s evidence. }{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 Following the victim\rquote s alarm, she found JACAN having sexual intercourse with the }{\insrsid7698184 victim. She stated \par }\pard \qj \fi60\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7698184 {\insrsid7698184 \'93...}{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 I saw what he was doing, he was lying on Oliver Wiango and he was having s exual intercourse}{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 \'94. }{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 }{\insrsid7698184 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 Under}{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 cross \endash examination she stated, }{\insrsid7698184 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7698184 {\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 \'93}{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 I saw what happened with my eyes. I got him when he had fixed his penis into the girl\rquote s vagina}{\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 \'94}{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 . }{\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 }{\insrsid7698184 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 He}{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 was on top of the girl and the girl was crying. There was moo}{ \insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 nlight and she was near them. She}{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 }{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 grabbed}{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 the accused person\rquote s bicycle for which he struggled with her and }{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 he }{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 took it away.}{\insrsid4525904\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 \par There was some co}{\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 rroboration from the accused\rquote s }{\insrsid14768269\charrsid10698482 unsworn defence evidence. That }{\insrsid13000692\charrsid10698482 he was at the scene at 5.00 am. That he was with the victim when PW.2 came to the scene. That PW.2 }{\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 grabbed}{\insrsid13000692\charrsid10698482 his bicycle and made an alarm alleging that he had sexual intercourse with the victim. }{\insrsid7698184 \par \par }{\insrsid13000692\charrsid10698482 The }{\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 supreme court of Uganda in }{\b\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 Uganda Vs George Wilson Simbwa Crim. Appeal 37 of 1995 }{\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 held that corroborative evidence must confirm some material particulars not only that the crime was committed but also that it was committed by the accused. Also see }{\b\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 R Vs Baskerville (1916) 2 KB 658.}{ \b\insrsid14768269 \par }{\insrsid7698184\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 I find that PW.2 and the accused person corroborated the fact that the accused person was properly identified at the scene of crime at the ti}{\insrsid7698184 me the offence was committed. }{ \insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 PW.2 corroborated the victim on the fact of sexu}{\insrsid7698184 al intercourse by the accused. }{\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 Whereas medical evidence would have further corroboration on the point of penetration, I find that its absence is not fatal to the prosecution case. This would have been desirable evidence but not mandatory evidence. }{\insrsid7698184 \par \par }{\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 Finally as regards the victim\rquote s age, she testified that she was 14 years in 2009 and therefore 12 years in 2007. I observed this girl testify, I was in no doubt that she was not older than 14 years and certainly she was much younger in 2007 when she was defiled. I appreciate that both the victim and her mother are }{\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 illiterate}{\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 and from a rural set-up and were not conversant with }{\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 calendar}{\insrsid7698184 dates, this alone can not defeat their pursuit for Justice. \par \par I}{\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 t\rquote s the duty of the trial Judge to judge the age among other issues. I find that she was under 14 years of age at the time of defilement in 2007.}{\insrsid3174068\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 \par The two assessors have advised that the accused person be acquitted basically du}{\insrsid7698184 e to lack of medical evidence. H}{\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 owever, I find that while medical evidence was desirable}{\insrsid7698184 ,}{ \insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 it is not always mandatory. In the circumstances I differ with the assessors and I find the accused person guil}{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 ty. He is convicted as charged under section 129 (3) o f the Penal code Act.}{\insrsid10308694\charrsid10698482 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\b\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 JUSTICE J. W. KWESIGA}{\b\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 \par 21 \endash 9 \endash 2009 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\b\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 Presence of:- \par }{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 Ms Asiku Nelly state Attorney \par Mr. Madira Jimmy for Accused}{\b\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 . \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 \par \par \par }{\insrsid10308694\charrsid10698482 \par }{\b\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 SENTENCE \par }{\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 State: The convict was remanded 27/11/2007. }{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 It}{\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 is about 2 years. No previous record. However I pray for }{\insrsid10698482\charrsid10698482 deterrent}{\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 sentence. He tempered with the girl\rquote s purity. \par }{\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 \par }{\b\insrsid9600672\charrsid10698482 A Defence \par }{\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 The convict is a first offender he has stayed long on remand. He is 24 years old. Y}{\insrsid6102100\charrsid10698482 outh }{\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 offender with a future. He can reform. I have a wife and two children. I pray for lenience. \par }{\b\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 Court: \par }{\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 I have put in consideration the fact that the accused person has spent almost 2 years on remand and the age of the girl victim. I have considered the seriousness of the offence and all the above put together I find a sentence of (5) five years appro priate to enable the accused person reform and return t}{\insrsid10698482\charrsid10698482 o society as a useful citizen. }{\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 Sentenced to 5 years Imprisonment.}{\insrsid6102100\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 \par }{\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10698482 {\b\insrsid5393235\charrsid10698482 JUSTICE J. W. KWESIGA}{\b\insrsid14770972\charrsid10698482 \par 21 \endash 9 \endash 2009}{\b\insrsid15024847\charrsid10698482 \par }}