[2009] UGHC 11

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\jclisttab\tx6840\lin6840 }{\listname ;}\listid1034309893}}{\*\listoverridetable{\listoverride\listid1034309893\listoverridecount0\ls1}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid419431\rsid797719\rsid1272630\rsid3343507\rsid3439921\rsid3758377\rsid3946840\rsid5137206\rsid9264377 \rsid11407076\rsid12732493\rsid13005624\rsid13066847\rsid13984800\rsid14158146\rsid16386189\rsid16476436}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\author jnamusoke}{\operator jchemeri} {\creatim\yr2009\mo3\dy24\hr15\min42}{\revtim\yr2009\mo3\dy24\hr15\min42}{\printim\yr2009\mo2\dy18\hr18\min14}{\version2}{\edmins1}{\nofpages5}{\nofwords1254}{\nofchars7151}{\*\company COJ}{\nofcharsws8389}{\vern24689}} \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 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{\insrsid3758377 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxr\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3758377 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs16\insrsid797719 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs16\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid419431 5}}}{\cs16\insrsid797719 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri360\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin0\itap0\pararsid797719 {\insrsid797719 \par }}{\*\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\pararsid419431 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\insrsid3946840\charrsid419431 \par }{\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT HOLDEN AT GULU \par MISCELLENOUS APPLICATION NO.0004 OF 2009 \par (ARISING OUT OF HIGH COURT CIVIL SUIT NO.076 OF 2007) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid419431 {\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 \par WANYAMA BAKULU T/A BAKULU \par JUNIOR COACH :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: APPLICANT/JUDGMENT DEBTOR \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid419431 {\b\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 VERSUS \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid419431 {\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 KIBWOTA SANTANINO LAYOO ::::::::::::::: RESPONDENT/JUDGMENT CREDITOR \par \par \par }{\b\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 BEFORE: HON. JUSTICE REMMY K. KASULE \par \par \par }{\b\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 \par }{\b\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 RULING: \par \par }{\b\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid419431 {\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 The applicant applies for reinstatement of the orders granted by this Court in Miscellaneous Applicati on Number 89 of 2008. \par \par In Miscellaneous Application Number 89 of 2008 the applicant applied to have the Judgment passed ex-parte against him in H. C. C. S No.76 of 2007 set aside. The suit had proceeded ex-parte against the applicant, first defendant in th e suit, after the trial Court had held:- \par \tab \'93}{\b\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 Both defendants were served with summons to file a defence }{\b\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 on \tab 20.10.07, an affidavit of service was filed on court }{\b\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 record, but both }{ \b\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 \tab }{\b\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 defendants did not file any defence to the suit within the time prescribed }{\b\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 \tab }{\b\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 by law. On }{ \b\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 \tab }{\b\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 07.12.2007 interlocutory Judgment was entered against }{\b\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 \tab }{\b\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 both defendants. The suit proceeded to full hearing \tab therefore by way of }{\b\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 \tab }{\b\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 formal proof.\'94 \par \par }{\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 The suit then proceeded to full trial whereby the respondent, plaintiff in the suit, proved to the satisfaction of Court that on 24.04.07, the applicant\rquote s bus Number UAH 298R was negligently driven by an authorized driver of the applicant, knocked and killed the respondent\rquote s son; Adonga David, aged 30 years, at Koro, along Gulu-Kampala Highway. The trial Court, in its Judgment}{ \insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 ,}{\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 awarded }{\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 to respondent }{\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 both general and special damages payable by the applicant.}{\insrsid13984800\charrsid419431 The respondent, as decree holder in the suit, proceeded to recover the damages and costs by executing against the applicant/judgment debtor.}{\insrsid9264377\charrsid419431 \par }{\insrsid13984800\charrsid419431 \par Through High Cou}{\insrsid16476436\charrsid419431 rt}{\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 ,}{\insrsid16476436\charrsid419431 at Gulu}{\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 ,}{\insrsid16476436\charrsid419431 Miscellaneous Application No.89/08, the applicant applied to have the exparte judgment in Civil Suit Number 76/07 set aside. After a full hearing in which Counsel for both parties to the application adduced affidavit evidence follo wed by submissions, this Court decided, after doubting the applicant\rquote s assertion that no service to file a defence had been served upon the applicant, that:-}{\insrsid13984800\charrsid419431 \par }{\insrsid16476436\charrsid419431 \par \tab \'93}{\b\insrsid16476436\charrsid419431 Be that as it may, the interests of Justice enjoin }{\b\insrsid3343507\charrsid419431 this court to avail the \tab applicant an opportunity to be heard. It is however his keeping away \tab and not being available to Court, police and relatives of the deceased, \tab victim of the accident, that resulted in proceedings being conducted \tab against the applicant in his absence. Court therefore allows this \tab application, but on a number of conditions, so as to ensure justice to all \tab concerned in the case.\'94}{\b\insrsid16476436\charrsid419431 \par }{\insrsid3343507\charrsid419431 Court then set conditions to be complied with by the applicant before the ex-parte Judgment could be set aside. These }{\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 conditions, amongst others}{\insrsid3343507\charrsid419431 not relevant to this Ruling, were:- \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid3343507\charrsid419431 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (i)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-720\li1440\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx1440\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid419431 {\insrsid3343507\charrsid419431 Applicant filing and serving to opposite party a written statement of defence within 15 days from the date of the order. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid3343507\charrsid419431 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (ii)\tab}Applicant to deposit in court Shs.1,500,000/= within 15 days of the order, towards execution costs so far incurred; \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid3343507\charrsid419431 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (iii)\tab} Applicant to deposit in Court Shs.1,000,000/= within 15 days of the order towards expense for recalling of witnesses who had already testified in the case. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid419431 {\insrsid3343507\charrsid419431 In respect of the above conditions, and others, the Court clearly stated in its Ruling that:- \par \tab }{\b\insrsid3343507\charrsid419431 \'93If applicant fails to comply }{\b\insrsid11407076\charrsid419431 with all, or any one of the above conditions, \tab within the period herein set, then the setting aside of the Judgment shall \tab be taken as vacated and execution of the same is to proceed against the \tab applicant/judgment debtor.\'94}{\b\insrsid3343507\charrsid419431 \par }{\b\insrsid11407076\charrsid419431 \par }{\insrsid11407076\charrsid419431 Court delivered the Ruling on 26.09.08 in the presence of Mr. Louis Odongo, learned Counsel for the respondent; and Mr. Oloya, holding a brief for Mr. Bakidde, learned }{\insrsid3439921\charrsid419431 Counsel for the applicant. In effect the Ruling was delivered in presence of Counsel for each of the parties to the application.}{\insrsid11407076\charrsid419431 \par }{\insrsid3439921\charrsid419431 \par After the delivery of the Ruling, the applicant only partially complied with the conditions set out above. He, through his new firm of lawyers, Kiwuwa & Co. Advocates, filed and served a written statement of defence on 08.10.08. He did not deposit any money to Court. He did not communicate to court about his failure to do so. \par \par On 17.11.08 the respondent/Judgment Creditor moved court to be allowed to execute the ex-parte Judgment since, on failure by the applicant to comply with all the conditions, the same was not vacated. Court allowed the respondent\rquote s application and ordered execution process of the Court Decree to issue. On 16.12.08 Court issued a warrant of attachment and sale of the applicant\rquote s buses. On 06.01.09 the applicant lodged this application. \par }{\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 \par }{\insrsid3439921\charrsid419431 The applicant in support of his application deposed to an affidavit stating that on the day the application was argued he was in detention at \'93a police Station in Gulu District\rquote and so he could not a ttend Court and further his then lawyer never communicated to him the conditions set by Court to be fulfilled by him before Judgment could be set aside. He only came to know of them when a warrant of attachment of his bus was served upon him and the bus had been attached in execution of the decree. \par \par Before obtaining the services of his present lawyers, M/S Nsubuga \endash Mubiru Co, Advocates, the applicant had been represented by M/S Kiwuwa & Co, Advocates, and in particular, learned Counsel Michael Bakidde appeared for and argued the }{ \insrsid797719\charrsid419431 Miscellaneous}{\insrsid3439921\charrsid419431 }{\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 A}{\insrsid3439921\charrsid419431 pplication No.89/08 to set aside the ex-parte Judgment. The Ruling in the application was delivered on 26.09.08 when learned Counsel Oloya held a brief for Mr. Bakidde for the applicant. \par \par }{\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 \par }{\insrsid3439921\charrsid419431 There is no evidence, whether by affidavit or otherwise, from Mr. Bakidde or Mr. Oloya, Counsel who represented the applicant, to the effect that each one of them never passed to }{\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 the applicant}{\insrsid3439921\charrsid419431 the conditions set by Court, he, applicant, had to fulfill before }{\insrsid16386189\charrsid419431 the Judgment of the co urt could be set aside. There is also no evidence by way of explanation as to why each one of the learned Counsel could not have done so. The assertion that the applicant was not informed of the conditions thus remains a bare statement from him, not sup ported by his then lawyers.}{\insrsid3439921\charrsid419431 \par }{\insrsid16386189\charrsid419431 \par Court notes that on 08.10.08, the then applicant\rquote s lawyers, M/s Kiwuwa & Co, Advocates filed a written statement of defence in the suit for the applicant. These lawyers must have done so pursuant to the Ruling }{\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 of Court}{\insrsid16386189\charrsid419431 of 26.09.08. It is difficult for this Court to believe the applicant\rquote s assertion that his then lawyers, M/S Kiwuwa & Co, could have proceeded to file a written statement in the suit without first having communicated to the applicant the conditions that had to be fulfilled before the Judgment could be set aside. \par \par Court, thus, disbelieves the applicant that his then lawyers never communicated to him the conditions that had to be fulfilled by him before Judgment could be set aside. Court comes to the conclusion th at the applicant was made aware of all the conditions that he had to fulfill before Judgment could be set aside, but of his own choice, opted not to comply. He only ran to court to avoid fulfilling the decree when execution process had been }{ \insrsid797719\charrsid419431 effected}{\insrsid16386189\charrsid419431 . \par \par Ord ers of Court must be obeyed to the letter, otherwise Justice as administered by the courts becomes a mockery. It is not open to any one to choose what part of the orders made by court to comply with and which part not to comply with. This court is enjoi n ed to stop such conduct on the part of any party whose cause happens to be the subject of adjudication before the court. In this particular case, the applicant after being afforded an opportunity to be heard and to put his case in the main suit, on fulfi lling a number of conditions, }{\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 c}{\insrsid16386189\charrsid419431 hose to comply with only some, and not to comply with others. This court refuses to exercise its discretion in favour of such a party. \par \par Court is also conscious of the fact that the decree holder, the respondent, is entitled to enjoy the fruits of the court decree; and that that enjoyment should not be unduly delayed by such a conduct as that of the applicant in this application. \par \par This court therefore disallows this application. The same stands dismissed. The respondent is awarded the costs of the dismissed application. \par It }{\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 is ordered that the execution of the decree in Civil Suit No.}{\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 76}{\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 of 200}{\insrsid5137206\charrsid419431 7}{\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 continues from the stage it had so far reached.}{\insrsid16386189\charrsid419431 \par }{\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 \par }{\b\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 Remmy K. Kasule \par Judge \par 20}{\b\super\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 th}{\b\insrsid797719\charrsid419431 February 2009 \par }{\insrsid3439921\charrsid419431 \par }}