Barnabas Ntimba v Uganda Electricity Board [1993] UGSC 5 (11 January 1993)

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{\*\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 \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8210402 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid8210402 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF UGANDA}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid8210402 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid8210402 AT MENGO}{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid425758 \par }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid12398817\charrsid425758 \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 (CORAM: MANYINDO, DCJ., ODER, JSC. & PLATT, JSC)}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid12398817\charrsid425758 \par CIVIL APPEAL NO.16/92 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 B E T W E EN \line BARNABAS }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid12398817\charrsid425758 NTIMBA:::::::::::::::::::::::::}{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 APPELLANT}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid12398817\charrsid425758 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 AND }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid12398817\charrsid425758 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 \line UGANDA}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid12398817\charrsid425758 ELECTRICITY BOARD:::::::::::::}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 RESPONDENT }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid12398817\charrsid425758 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 \line }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 JUDGEMENT OF THE COURT:}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid4792400\charrsid425758 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid425758 The appellant Bar}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 nabas Ntimba appeals for an award of damages for serious injury, which he sustained while working for the Uganda Electricity Board. The Board was found liable and there is no appeal upon that finding. The learn}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid425758 ed Judge awarded shs 9,000,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 general damages for pain and suffering and loss of }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid425758 amenities, and shs 11, 856,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 for loss of future earnings.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 At the hearing of the appeal, the award of shs}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 . 11,856,000/}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 = was not objected to. \line The sole argument conce}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 rns the award of shs 9,000,000/}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 =. \line In our opinion that sum is inordinately low. The Judge observed as follows:\emdash \line \'93The evidenc}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 e of PWI and 3 medical doctors }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 coupled with any observation of the plaintiff is more or less like a baby who needs constant care and attention. He can hardly do anything for himself. Looking at him sends a chill down ones spine. He is confirmed to the wheel chair for the rest of his life\'94}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 The learned Judge then detailed the injuries:}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 - \par \'93He }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 lost the sight of his right eye, right leg above knee }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 amputated, weakness of right \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 han}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 d }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 (canno}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 t write) extensive burn of the }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 parietal region, superficial burn of the right shoulder. The burnt scalp was grafted with fresh skin removed from his left thigh. Both d}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 octors assessed his disability of }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 80%\'94 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 \'93 In respect of general damages the age of the plaintiff is given as 37, the medical evidence is that his life expectancy is not bright and he will continue to receive regular medical treatment. He is in the p rime of his life and yet he has lost what makes life worth living for, he has one child and is more like a burden to his wife who also has to make necessary sacrifice to keep him alive.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 He is only able to sleep and eat, he is therefore totally dependent on his wife.\'94}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 That is not an unfair assessment, but yet it leaves out a few particulars from the appellant\rquote s evidence. He lost the vision in the right eye, but he also can only see}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 dimly with left. He uses the toilet with the help of someone. He cannot dre ss or bathe himself. His wife sees to his needs and does no other work than that. His friends have deserted him. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 Doctor Lawrence Okerao (PW3) explained the medical symptoms and treatment and concluded that}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 \par \'93He }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 must now d}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 epend on someone to look after }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 h im for the rest of his life. He is now on a wheel chair and cannot move without it.}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 The report of Dr. Mugambi noted that the Appellant used a wheel chair and walking sticks. The problem seems to be how to compensate a man who will need help for the rest o f his life, who has been badly injured and has no help other than that of his wife. Judging from other similar awards, it would seem to me that the award of shs 9,000,000/= ought to he inc}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 reased to one of shs 18,000,000/}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 =. If that is wisely invested, the income would go a lon}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 g way in solving the problem. \par \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 We would therefore allow the Appeal. We vary the Judgement of the trial Judge by awardi}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 ng the Appellant shs 18,000,000/}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 = as general damages, and then enter }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid4792400 Judgement}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 for shs 29,856,000/=. The appellant will have the costs of the appeal. \line DATED AT MENGO this day of January, 1993. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 \par \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 \line }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid425758 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 S. T. MANYINDO \line }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid425758 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 DEPUTY CHIEF JUSTICE }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid425758 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid425758 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 \line }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid425758 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 A. H. O. ODER \line }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid425758 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid425758 \par }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid425758 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85..}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid425758 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 H. G. PLATT \line }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572\charrsid425758 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 JUSTICE_OF THE}{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid425758 SUPREME COURT}{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14952572 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid11878397\charrsid4792400 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11878397 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid14830933\charrsid4792400 \par }}