[2002] UGHC 74

[2002] UGHC 74

The court found that the prosecution had proved all the ingredients of the offence of defilement beyond reasonable doubt. The complainant was under 18 years old, as confirmed by her parents and medical evidence. Sexual intercourse was established through the complainant's testimony, corroborated by her brother, her...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2002] UGHC 74
Parties
Applicant: Uganda; Defendant: Tumwesigye Kassim alias Tumwesigire
Court
High Court of Uganda
Jurisdiction
Uganda
Case Number
HCT-05-CR-CO-0060-2001
Procedural Posture
Criminal Trial / Judgment and Sentencing
Outcome
conviction and custodial sentence
Legal Topics
Defilement, Sexual Offences, Burden of Proof, Corroboration, Alibi, Sentencing Principles
Source Language
en
Criminal Law Defilement Sexual Offences Burden of Proof Corroboration Alibi Sentencing Principles

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Parties

Uganda

Applicant

Tumwesigye Kassim alias Tumwesigire

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Trial / Judgment and Sentencing

  1. 1 Whether the complainant was under the age of 18 years at the time of the alleged offence.
  2. 2 Whether the complainant experienced sexual intercourse at the time alleged.
  3. 3 Whether the accused was the perpetrator of the crime.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the prosecution had proved all the ingredients of the offence of defilement beyond reasonable doubt. The complainant was under 18 years old, as confirmed by her parents and medical evidence. Sexual intercourse was established through the complainant's testimony, corroborated by her brother, her mother, and medical evidence showing a fresh ruptured hymen. The accused was identified as the perpetrator by the complainant and corroborated by other witnesses. The accused's alibi was discredited by prosecution evidence placing him at the scene and by his conduct during arrest. The court found the accused's defence to be fabricated and held that the prosecution had...

Court Disposition

conviction and custodial sentence

Orders

  • Accused convicted of defilement.
  • Accused sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment, with three years on remand considered.