[2008] UGHC 113

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}}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\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\pararsid14105907 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT GULU \par CRIMINAL SESSION CASE NO. 0012 OF 2006 \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14105907 {\b\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 UGANDA :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid3895157 ::::::::::::::::::}{ \b\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 ::::}{\b\insrsid3895157 ::::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 :PROSECUTION \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14105907 {\b\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 VERSUS \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14105907 {\b\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 NO. 143069 PTE MUMBERE JULIUS ::::::::}{\b\insrsid3895157 :::::::::::::::::::::::::}{ \b\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 :::ACCUSED \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14105907 {\b\ul\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 \par JUDGMENT \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3424985 {\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 \par The accused person was charged with the offence of Murder C/s. 188 and 189, of the Penal Code Act. The allegations contained in the particulars of the offence, in the indictment, were that the accused person, on or about the 20}{ \super\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 th}{\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 day of January, 2005, at Lawiye village}{\insrsid10618879\charrsid3895157 in Kitgum district murdered Otto Samuel.}{\insrsid14105907\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid10618879\charrsid3895157 \par The accused person pleaded not }{\insrsid9711127\charrsid3895157 guilty}{\insrsid10618879\charrsid3895157 to the offence of murder. The prosecution, as the law requires, was under duty to discharge the burden of proof to prove the quilt of the accused person beyond any reasonable doubt. }{\b\ul\insrsid10618879\charrsid3895157 Pte B igirwa Edward vs. Uganda, Sc Criminal Appeal No. 27 of 1992. \par }{\b\ul\insrsid9711127\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid9711127\charrsid3895157 The prosecution led evidence from 10 witnesses. The accused person opted to exercise his right under section 73 (2), of the Trial on Indictments Act, to keep quite and say nothing in his own defence. \par }{\insrsid2045441\charrsid3895157 \par The case for the prosecution was that the deceased, Otto Samuel was a boda boda rider in Kitgum }{\insrsid11681390\charrsid3895157 Township}{\insrsid2045441\charrsid3895157 . On 20}{\super\insrsid2045441\charrsid3895157 th}{ \insrsid2045441\charrsid3895157 January, 2005, at about 10.00 a.m., he got a customer who was a soldier. He was armed with an SMG riffle and was holding a bag. Ott o had earlier hired his motor cycle to a self-drive customer. He approached PW5, Obwor Jimmy to lend him his motorcycle to enable him transport the soldier customer to Lawiye village in Madiope }{\insrsid11681390\charrsid3895157 Sub County}{ \insrsid2045441\charrsid3895157 . The distance was about 32 miles. PW5 released his motorcycle, UDC 900Z, to Samuel Otto who took the soldier with him. The soldier was in spotted army uniform. \par }{\insrsid11681390\charrsid3895157 \par P}{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 W}{\insrsid11681390\charrsid3895157 2, Orach Ambrose, saw motorcycle UDC 900Z with a rider carrying a soldier in uniform and armed with a gun pas}{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 s}{\insrsid11681390\charrsid3895157 through Madiope trading centre between 11.30 and mid-day on 20}{\super\insrsid11681390\charrsid3895157 th}{\insrsid11681390\charrsid3895157 January, 2005. it was moving from Kitgum side and heading for Agoro side. PW2 was the LCI Chairperson for Central village in Madiope IDP camp. \par }{\insrsid4850408\charrsid3895157 After less than one hour afterwards he saw the same motorcycle at Madiope t rading centre. This time it was being ridden by the soldier whom he had seen as a passenger on it about an hour before. The motor cycle had just been ridden from Ogoro side}{\insrsid4664489\charrsid3895157 Madiope trading centre where the soldier knocked down three boys. One of the three was PW1, O}{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 m}{\insrsid4664489\charrsid3895157 wony Richard. PW2 took the soldier and the motor cycle to Madiope Police post. According to both PW2 and PW1, the soldier}{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 they}{\insrsid4664489\charrsid3895157 took to the police was the accused person. He still had his rifle and bag.}{\insrsid4850408\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid4664489\charrsid3895157 \par PW6, DC Ekoro Lawrence, also called Kabila, was a Police Officer at Madiope Police Post. He was instructed by the OC, Madiope Police Post to investigate a report made to the OC b}{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 y}{\insrsid4664489\charrsid3895157 some traveling Sudanese that there was a dead body along the road from Madiope to Agoro. He recovered}{\insrsid5112379\charrsid3895157 a boda boda rider\rquote s identity card from that body in the names of Otto Samuel. The identity card had been issued by the Kitgum Boda Boda Association. He took the body to Kitgum Hospital}{\insrsid9182308\charrsid3895157 .}{\insrsid4664489\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid9182308\charrsid3895157 \par PW8, Dr. Paul Loromo, a }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 Medical O}{\insrsid9182308\charrsid3895157 fficer was at Kitgum hospital. He carried out the post mortem examination on the body of Otto Samuel on 21}{\super\insrsid9182308\charrsid3895157 st}{ \insrsid9182308\charrsid3895157 January, 2005. The body was of an African male of 30 years. It was well nourished. There was one bullet entry wound on the right side of the neck and one exit bullet wou}{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 n}{ \insrsid9182308\charrsid3895157 d in the left ribs. According }{\insrsid15088721\charrsid3895157 to him the cause of death was }{\b\insrsid15088721\charrsid3895157 \'93severe haemorrhage caused by bullet wound\'94}{\b\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 . }{ \insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 T}{\insrsid15088721\charrsid3895157 he post mortem report is exhibit P2.}{\insrsid9182308\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid15088721\charrsid3895157 In the meantime, the accused person had somehow walked away from Madiope Police post and disappeared. P}{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 W6}{\insrsid15088721\charrsid3895157 and other police officer}{ \insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 s}{\insrsid15088721\charrsid3895157 searched for him in vain. The police and army then }{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 amounted }{\insrsid15088721\charrsid3895157 a joint night operation searching all lodges and hotels in Kitgum town during the night. The}{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 y}{\insrsid15088721\charrsid3895157 could not locate the accused. Afterwards they concentrated at a road block. They found the accused person loaded in the first bus to Kampala. He was eventually charged with this offence. \par }{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid15994576\charrsid3895157 The accused, on 25}{\super\insrsid15994576\charrsid3895157 th}{\insrsid15994576\charrsid3895157 January, 2005 made a charge and caution statement before PW4, DIP Atube }{\insrsid16199549\charrsid3895157 George. The accused denied, during the trial}{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 ,}{\insrsid16199549\charrsid3895157 that he made the statement. But after the trial within a trial, it was established that he did and voluntarily. The statement, which does not amount to a confession on account of containing some exculpatory material in it, }{\b\ul\insrsid16199549\charrsid3895157 Uganda vs Rev. Fr. Paul Kabishanga & Rev. Sister Nyakato, (1978) HCB 69,}{\insrsid16199549\charrsid3895157 is exhibit P4, on the record.}{\insrsid15994576\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid16199549\charrsid3895157 The SMG rifle No. UE9813, 1999 model, with a round magazine containing 8 rounds of ammunition that were recovered from the accused when he was arrested, are marked exhibits P5 and P6, respectively. \par \par As stated before, the accused exercised is right to keep quiet. However, during the final submissions learned counsel, Mr. Madira, for the accused person, emphasized the defence of self-defence, which the accused person put forward in his charge and cautio n statement exhibit P4. Counsel also argued and submitted that the accused was never identified at the scene of crime and was not properly linked by the evidence to the commission of the offence.}{\insrsid15547938\charrsid3895157 Counsel concluded that the defence of self defence obliterated the essential ingredient of malice aforethought rendering the offence of murder untenable against the accused person in this case. }{\insrsid16199549\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid14958761\charrsid3895157 \par The offence of murder as created y sections 188 of the Penal Code Act, is constituted by four essential ingredients. Ea ch one of them must be proved beyond any reasonable doubt by the prosecution in order to secure the conviction of an accused person. They are: \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f25\insrsid11553537\charrsid3895157 \hich\af25\dbch\af0\loch\f25 -\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-465\li825\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx825\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin825\itap0\pararsid3424985 { \insrsid11553537\charrsid3895157 death of the deceased named in the indictment \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f25\insrsid11553537\charrsid3895157 \hich\af25\dbch\af0\loch\f25 -\tab}unlawful act or omission causing the death of the deceased \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f25\insrsid11553537\charrsid3895157 \hich\af25\dbch\af0\loch\f25 -\tab}malice aforethought accompanying the act or omission causing death; and \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f25\insrsid12083597\charrsid3895157 \hich\af25\dbch\af0\loch\f25 -\tab}}{\insrsid12083597\charrsid3895157 Participation}{\insrsid11553537\charrsid3895157 of the accused person in the act or omission causing death of the deceased.}{ \insrsid14958761\charrsid3895157 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3424985 {\insrsid12083597\charrsid3895157 \par The fact of the death of the deceased named in the indictment, in this case, is not in dispute. Learned counsel, Mr. Madira stated, in his final submissions, }{\b\ul\insrsid12083597\charrsid3895157 \'93 We do not dispute the death of Samuel Otto. He is indeed quite dead\'94 \par }{\insrsid12083597\charrsid3895157 \par However, the duty of court, to evaluate the evidence on record and arrive at its own conclusion on each essential ingredient of the offence charge, is not }{\insrsid9071047\charrsid3895157 lessened}{\insrsid12083597\charrsid3895157 or replaced by that submission. }{\b\ul\insrsid12083597\charrsid3895157 Mawanda Edward vs Uganda, SCCA No. 4 of 1999 (unreported). \par }{\insrsid12083597\charrsid3895157 \par PW7, who was the chairperson of the Kitgum Boda Boda Riders Association to which Samuel Otto was a member testified that Otto died on 20}{\super\insrsid12083597\charrsid3895157 th}{\insrsid12083597\charrsid3895157 January, 2005. PW7 saw Otto\rquote s dead body at Kitgum hospital. He also attended his burial. \par }{\insrsid4850408\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid9071047\charrsid3895157 PW8, Dr. Lenny Paul Lomoro, who wrote the post mortem report, examined a body of a young man aged 30 years}{\insrsid14245266\charrsid3895157 . The body was identified to him as th at of Otto Samuel by PW3, Ocan Achaa George, who was the Secretary for Security, Kitgum District at the time. PW5 and PW6 both confirm that Otto Samuel di}{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 e}{\insrsid14245266\charrsid3895157 d on 20}{ \super\insrsid14245266\charrsid3895157 th}{\insrsid14245266\charrsid3895157 January, 2005}{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 . T}{\insrsid14245266\charrsid3895157 here is also the statement of the accused person himself, exhibit P4, in w hich he states that he shot the accused and he died instantly. }{\insrsid9071047\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid14245266\charrsid3895157 Court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has proved beyond reasonable doubt Otto Samuel, the deceased named in the indictment, died on 20}{\super\insrsid14245266\charrsid3895157 th}{\insrsid14245266\charrsid3895157 January, 2005. \par }{\insrsid14504114\charrsid3895157 \par On essential ingredient number two, the finding of PW8, Dr. Lenny Paul Lomoro was that the cause of death for Otto Samuel was }{\b\insrsid14504114\charrsid3895157 \'93 Severe haemorrhage caused by bullet wound}{\insrsid14504114\charrsid3895157 \'94 }{ \insrsid9634010\charrsid3895157 clearly}{\insrsid14504114\charrsid3895157 the shooting of a bullet is an }{\insrsid3804902\charrsid3895157 intervene}{\insrsid14504114\charrsid3895157 human action in the natural trend}{\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 of human life. The death arising amounts to a homicide. Unless authorized by law or otherwise excusable, according to the old case of }{\b\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 Gusambizi s/o Wesonga 91948) 15 EACA, 63,}{\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 in which the Court of Appeal for Eastern Africa laid down the authentic principle that all homicides are presumed to be unlawful unless authorized by law or if proved to have been accidental or excusable.}{\insrsid14504114\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 The only piece of evidence which could render the shooting of the deceased excusable is in the evidence of PW4, in the charge and caution statement which PW4 tende red in evidence as exhibit P4. That piece of evidence reads as below: \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid3424985 {\b\i\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 \'93There}{\b\i\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 and then he caught me by the collar of my shirt (army uniform). He slapped me. I had my gun put across my back. He pushed me down. He came down to me, caught the }{\b\i\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 sting}{\b\i\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 of the gun. I got up and we started }{\b\i\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 struggling}{\b\i\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 over the gun. The gun was loaded with a bullet in the chamber. As we struggled, one bullet was fired by him. That bullet missed me narrowly. Seeing that this man could }{\b\i\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 kill}{\b\i\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 me. So I }{\b\i\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 kicked }{\b\i\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 him and he fell down. I then shot direct four bullets and he died }{\b\i\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 there and}{\b\i\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 then. That is my}{\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 }{\b\i\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 statement\'94}{\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3424985 {\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 In the view of court, largely what the accused stated in his charge and caution statement is not true. PW6, who visited the scene of crime just a few hours after the deat h of the deceased and also removed the body from the scene was able to observe only the }{\insrsid13859370\charrsid3895157 motor}{\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 cycle }{\insrsid13859370\charrsid3895157 tyres prints}{\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 on the ground. He specifically saw no signs of struggle it was a dry season and the ground was clear. The scene was an all whether m}{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 a}{\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 rr}{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 u}{ \insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 m road. Signs of any struggle would have been clearly visible. PW8 found }{\insrsid14642990\charrsid3895157 that the deceased was shot duly by one bullet through the right side of his neck. It exhibited from the left side of the ribs. Where were the four bullets the accused claims to}{\insrsid13859370\charrsid3895157 }{\insrsid14642990\charrsid3895157 have pumped into the deceased fe}{\insrsid13859370\charrsid3895157 a}{\insrsid14642990\charrsid3895157 ring that he would kill him? }{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 \par \par }{\insrsid14642990\charrsid3895157 If the accused}{\insrsid13859370\charrsid3895157 }{\insrsid14642990\charrsid3895157 has shot the deceased under the circumstances he described in exhibit P4, then why did he not report the incident at the nearest police post which was at Madiope? He did not do so even during the period}{\insrsid13859370\charrsid3895157 he stayed with the OC and PW6 at Madiope police post after PW2 had taken him there after the accident. Why did he take the deceased\rquote s motor cycle and start riding it at his own pleasure which resulted into the accident in which PW1 was injured? }{\insrsid2368295\charrsid3895157 \par \par }{\insrsid13859370\charrsid3895157 And lastly, why did the accused snick away from the police post at Madiope and disappeared if he had such prominent and eloquent a defence? It is quite clear that the accused shot Otto not because danger to him but because he either wanted to steal his motorcycle or for some other unknown reason.}{\insrsid13392348\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid149310\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 But even if court were to believe that there was a struggle between the }{\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 deceased}{\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 and the accused, the }{\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 accused}{ \insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 was armed wit}{\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 h}{\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 a riffle, AK 47, the deceased was not armed with anything. How could the deceased have pa}{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 u}{ \insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 sed a serious attack that could place the accused in immediate peril and }{\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 necessitating}{\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 instant action (shooting) to }{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 avert }{\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 the danger? }{\b\i\ul\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 Ojepan }{\b\i\ul\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 Ignatius}{\b\i\ul\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 vs Uganda, SCCA No. 25 of }{ \b\i\ul\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 1995 }{\b\i\ul\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 (unreported}{\b\i\ul\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 )}{\b\i\ul\insrsid14245266\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 \par In light of the brief analysis set out above, court finds that the defence of self defence is cle}{\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 a}{\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 rly }{\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 not available to the accused person. What he stated in his statement to the police }{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 but }{\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 never repeated in court were mere lies fabricated to deceive the police. The death of the deceased remains a homicide that is not excusable.}{\insrsid12006821\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid5121635\charrsid3895157 \par Court, therefore, finds that the death of Otto Samuel was caused by an unlawful act of shooting him with a gun. \par \par }{\insrsid2385956\charrsid3895157 Malice aforethought can be established in two ways according to section 191 of the Penal Code Act. It may be proved by direct evidence showing intention to kill a human being. }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid2385956\charrsid3895157 It may also be proved by evidence showing the circumstances under which the deceased died. \par \par It is clear that the evidence in the instant case does not show direct intention to cause the }{\insrsid3025482\charrsid3895157 death of the deceased person or any other human being.}{\insrsid2385956\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid3025482\charrsid3895157 \par However, malice aforethought may be inferred from the evid}{\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 e}{\insrsid3025482\charrsid3895157 nce of the circumstances under which the deceased died}{\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 . The Court of Appeal for Eastern Africa in the authoritative decision in }{\b\ul\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 Tubere s/o Ocan, vs Rese 19451 l EACA, 63}{\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 set specific circumstances t}{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 o} {\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 be examined by the trial court in order to decide whether constructive malice aforethought can be }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 inferred}{\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 or not. They are:-}{ \insrsid3025482\charrsid3895157 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f25\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 \hich\af25\dbch\af0\loch\f25 -\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-465\li825\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx825\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin825\itap0\pararsid3424985 { \insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 the type of weapon used \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f25\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 \hich\af25\dbch\af0\loch\f25 -\tab}the nature of the injuries inflicted \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f25\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 \hich\af25\dbch\af0\loch\f25 -\tab}the part of the body affected \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f25\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 \hich\af25\dbch\af0\loch\f25 -\tab}the conduct of the attacker before and after the attack. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3424985 {\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 \par In the instant case, the weapon used was a gun, exhibit P5, an SMG rifle, AK 47. It can be said that the human mind has not been able to come up with any m}{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 o}{\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 re leathal ordinari ly used weapon than a gun. It is very leathal, indeed! Where such a leathal weapon is used malice aforethought is easily inferred. In the case of }{\b\ul\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 Otim Gabriel Ogola vs Uganda, SC}{ \b\ul\insrsid3944991\charrsid3895157 CA No. 16 of 1993,}{\insrsid3944991\charrsid3895157 for instance, the }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 accused had}{\insrsid3944991\charrsid3895157 cut the }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 deceased}{ \insrsid3944991\charrsid3895157 to }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 death}{\insrsid3944991\charrsid3895157 with a panga. Their }{\insrsid12781414\charrsid3895157 Lordships, the Justices of the Supreme Court of Uganda made the following observation with regard to the inference of malice afore thought }{\insrsid14422269\charrsid3895157 \par }\pard \qj \li1440\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid3424985 {\b\i\insrsid459593\charrsid3895157 \'93the}{\b\i\insrsid12781414\charrsid3895157 appellant inflicted serious cut wounds on the deceased with a panga. He must have intended to kill him\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3424985 {\insrsid12781414\charrsid3895157 \par According to PW8, the deceased was shot in the right side of the neck. The neck}{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 ,}{\insrsid12781414\charrsid3895157 whether of an animal or a human being, is probably the most vulnerable part of the body. The numerous slaughter houses throughout the world bear testimony to that degree of vulnerability. Animals are often slaughtered by cutting the neck. \par The accused states in exhibit P4 that he shot the deceased direct and from close range. Clearly he intended to kill him. \par }{\insrsid459593\charrsid3895157 \par The conduct of the accused after shooting the decea sed speak volumes about his intention. He never cared. He first rode away upon the motor cycle of the deceased and enjoyed himself but because, he probably did not know how to manage the motor cycle fully, he ended up in an accident. \par \par From those circumstances, court cannot help to draw the inference of constructive malice aforethought on the part of accused person in this case. \par \par The last essential ingredient relates to the responsibility of the accused }{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 person }{\insrsid459593\charrsid3895157 for shooting the deceased. }{\insrsid6581014\charrsid3895157 \par In exhibit P4, the accused, even though he }{\insrsid5192568\charrsid3895157 included}{\insrsid6581014\charrsid3895157 a lot of untruthfulness in that statement agreed that he shot the deceased dead. Court accepts that part of the statement of the accused person because it finds it }{\insrsid5192568\charrsid3895157 to be truthful. }{\insrsid6581014\charrsid3895157

\par }{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 \par The second piece of evidence which prosecution produced to incriminate the accused person consists of circumstantial evidence. \par \par As a rule, in order for }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 circumstantial}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 evidence to }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 constitute}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 the sole basis for conviction of an accused person, it must be such that it creates moral certainty that the accused is }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 guilty}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 of the offence charged. It must be incapable of explanation upon any other hypothesis than that of the quilt of the }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 accused}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 . There must not be some other}{ \insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 co-existing }{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 factors that lessen the inference of guilt drawn by the court from it. }{\b\i\ul\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 Simon Musoke vs Regina (1958) EA 715 and Teper vs R (1952) 2 ALL E. R. 447 \par }{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 \par Both PW2 and PW7 were at the Kitgum Boda boda stage very early in the morning for work. They saw the accused person arrive at the sta}{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 g}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 e at about 9.00 a.m. He was in full army combat uniform}{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 with}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 both a rifle and a bag. The accused sat at the boda boda stage for about one full hour until he negotiated with the deceased to take him to Madiope}{ \insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 . They left at about 10.00 a.m}{\insrsid5406388\charrsid3895157 , on}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 the motor cycle belonging to PW5. They were seen at Madiope trading centre by PW2 riding towards the scene of crime, w} {\insrsid922566\charrsid3895157 h}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 ich was only a few miles along Madiope-Agoro road. }{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 \par \par }{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 Less than an hour afterwards, PW1 and PW2 saw the accused involved in an accident at Madiope trading centre while riding the same motor cycle which the dec}{\insrsid922566\charrsid3895157 e}{ \insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 ased and the accused had been seen riding less than an hour }{\insrsid922566\charrsid3895157 before}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 . When both motor cycle and the accuse}{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 d}{ \insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 were taken to the police post at Madiope, the accused wisely sneak}{\insrsid598933\charrsid3895157 ed }{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 away and disappear}{\insrsid5406388\charrsid3895157 ed }{ \insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 together with his gun and bag. So}{\insrsid5406388\charrsid3895157 o}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 n }{\insrsid922566\charrsid3895157 afterwards}{\insrsid5406388\charrsid3895157 ,}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 the body of the dec}{\insrsid922566\charrsid3895157 e}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 ased }{\insrsid5406388\charrsid3895157 wa}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 s discovered along the road to Agoro. The cause of d}{\insrsid922566\charrsid3895157 e}{ \insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 ath }{\insrsid5406388\charrsid3895157 was}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 sho}{\insrsid922566\charrsid3895157 o}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 ting }{\insrsid922566\charrsid3895157 with}{\insrsid4485413\charrsid3895157 a gun. The accused }{\insrsid5406388\charrsid3895157 wa}{\insrsid4485413\charrsid3895157 s arrested the following morning aboard a bus heading for Kampala.}{\insrsid6033992\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid4485413\charrsid3895157 \par That set of circumstantial evidence, in the view of this court creates moral certainty that it was the accused who killed the deceased. The circumstantial evidence is incapable of any other logical explanation except the guilt of the accused person }{ \insrsid5406388\charrsid3895157 in}{\insrsid4485413\charrsid3895157 this case. Court finds }{\insrsid5406388\charrsid3895157 no}{\insrsid4485413\charrsid3895157 co-existing factors that would negate or lessen the inference of the accused\rquote s guilt drawn from that circumstantial evidence. \par }{\insrsid14422989\charrsid3895157 \par Learned counsel for the defence raised the question of failure by the prosecution to tender the motor cycle in evidence and without offering any explanati on for the failure. It appears, and court agrees with learned counsel for the state, that the motor cycle was not a very relevant exhibit at this trial. The offence being tried was murder and not theft or robbery of motor cycle UDC 900Z. }{ \insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 Its}{\insrsid14422989\charrsid3895157 production as an }{\insrsid6584698\charrsid3895157 exhibit would have been of little relevant evidential value.}{\insrsid14422989\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid3833664\charrsid3895157 Lastly defence, in the final submissions, complained that the a}{\insrsid3806179\charrsid3895157 c}{\insrsid3833664\charrsid3895157 cused person was never identified at the scene of crime but that al}{ \insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 l}{\insrsid3833664\charrsid3895157 the }{\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 witnesses}{\insrsid3833664\charrsid3895157 who identified him only did so in court during the trial. The case of }{ \b\insrsid3424985\charrsid3895157 Uganda}{\b\insrsid3833664\charrsid3895157 vs Evaristo Nyanzi, HC Criminal Se}{\b\insrsid3806179\charrsid3895157 s}{\b\insrsid3833664\charrsid3895157 sion case No. 46/87,}{\insrsid3833664\charrsid3895157 was cited as basis for the above}{\insrsid3806179\charrsid3895157 submission. Court considered the case of Evaristo Nyanzi to be distinguishable from the instant case. The evidence in Nyanzi\rquote s ca se was direct evidence intending to drove court acts constituting the offence of treason. The}{\insrsid13384957\charrsid3895157 evidence in this case is circumstantial. No witness claim to have seen the accused committing the offence at the scene of crime. But PW1, PW2, PW5 and PW7, all saw the accused involved with the deceased as the last person seen with him. Each one of them identified the accused to that extent so did PW6. }{\insrsid6584698\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid13384957\charrsid3895157 The circumstantial evidence is duly corroborated by exhibit PW4 in which the accused admits shooting }{\insrsid3624245\charrsid3895157 t}{\insrsid13384957\charrsid3895157 he deceased dead}{ \insrsid3624245\charrsid3895157 ,}{\insrsid13384957\charrsid3895157 \par }{\insrsid3624245\charrsid3895157 Court, therefore, find that the prosecution\rquote s evidence proved, beyond reasonable doubt, that the accused was the person who shot the deceased dead on 20}{\super\insrsid3624245\charrsid3895157 th}{ \insrsid3624245\charrsid3895157 January, 2005. \par }{\insrsid6360468\charrsid3895157 \par The gentlemen assessors in this case returned an }{\insrsid2896939\charrsid3895157 unanimous}{\insrsid6360468\charrsid3895157 joint opinion. It was to the effect that the prosecution had proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt and that the accused person be convicted as charged. \par \par In view of the reasons set out in this judgment, court has no reason to differ from that joint opinion. Court accordingly convicts the accused person of the offence of murder c/s 188 and 189, of the Penal Code Act. \par }{\insrsid598085\charrsid3895157 \par \par \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab }{\b\insrsid598085\charrsid3895157 ................................................. \par \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab V. F. MUSOKE KIBUUKA \par \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab JUDGE \par \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab 21.11.2008 \par }{\insrsid3624245\charrsid3895157 \par \par }{\insrsid12781414\charrsid3895157 \par \par }{\insrsid14245266\charrsid3895157 \par }}