Charles Onyango and Anor v Attorney General (Constitutional Petition No. 15 of 1997) [1997] UGCC 7 (14 December 1997)

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f37\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;} {\f38\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f40\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f41\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f42\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);} {\f43\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f44\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f45\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255; \red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0; \red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{ \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa100\sbauto1\saauto1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 \styrsid14891851 Normal (Web);}{\s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext16 \styrsid725304 footer;}{\*\cs17 \additive \sbasedon10 \styrsid725304 page number;}} {\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0}{\*\pgptbl {\pgp\ipgp0\itap0\li0\ri0\sb0\sa0}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid12292\rsid147964\rsid263824\rsid402356\rsid483953\rsid532800\rsid542833\rsid656068\rsid725304\rsid853000\rsid1212221\rsid1263153\rsid1328200 \rsid1589256\rsid1597739\rsid1769736\rsid1979034\rsid1985355\rsid2651407\rsid2753621\rsid2832893\rsid2833257\rsid2891500\rsid3035935\rsid3163095\rsid3436095\rsid3891542\rsid4004402\rsid4013346\rsid4081474\rsid4154319\rsid4606034\rsid4615111\rsid4804988 \rsid4812412\rsid4816222\rsid4994645\rsid5133152\rsid5185144\rsid5249105\rsid5257113\rsid5338672\rsid5393925\rsid5510309\rsid5529574\rsid5578182\rsid5599792\rsid5657197\rsid5925591\rsid6168920\rsid6227913\rsid6244907\rsid6298534\rsid6761646\rsid6774612 \rsid6845907\rsid7235957\rsid7297041\rsid7411284\rsid7555992\rsid7699176\rsid7810262\rsid7878088\rsid7952966\rsid8001677\rsid8538801\rsid8545157\rsid8857076\rsid8875848\rsid9114313\rsid9138396\rsid9178571\rsid9583136\rsid9729420\rsid9908807\rsid10119127 \rsid10167632\rsid10384870\rsid10438333\rsid10438669\rsid10517635\rsid10564061\rsid10569595\rsid10693564\rsid10694038\rsid10703749\rsid10825639\rsid10975670\rsid11025202\rsid11078177\rsid11350863\rsid11555040\rsid11563786\rsid11930287\rsid12526284 \rsid12718503\rsid12742138\rsid13255604\rsid13435762\rsid13466614\rsid13512610\rsid13704567\rsid13720995\rsid13914955\rsid14043846\rsid14184407\rsid14428627\rsid14626845\rsid14839716\rsid14891851\rsid14942689\rsid15430543\rsid15688051\rsid15798275 \rsid15818385\rsid15882927\rsid15952220\rsid16061834\rsid16084859\rsid16150457\rsid16265927\rsid16321832\rsid16581033\rsid16604061\rsid16673595}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA }{\author Wor. Jessica chemeri} {\operator SAFLII}{\creatim\yr2008\mo9\dy26\hr14\min28}{\revtim\yr2008\mo9\dy26\hr14\min28}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords634}{\nofchars3620}{\nofcharsws4246}{\vern24689}} \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct \asianbrkrule\rsidroot14891851\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid725304 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid725304 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid725304 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\insrsid725304 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid9114313\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxr\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5185144 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs17\insrsid725304 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs17\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid6845907 3}}}{\cs17\insrsid725304 \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri360\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin0\itap0\pararsid725304 {\insrsid725304 \par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang }{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang }{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang }{\*\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 \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid402356 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid402356\charrsid402356 }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \line }{\b\insrsid402356\charrsid402356 }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 IN }{ \b\insrsid402356\charrsid402356 TH}{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 E }{\b\insrsid402356\charrsid402356 CONSTITUTIONAL COURT}{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 OF UGANDA }{\b\insrsid402356\charrsid402356 \par HOLDEN AT KAMPALA \par }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 CONSTITUTIONAL PETITION CASE NO.15 OF 1997}{\b\insrsid402356\charrsid402356 \par CHARLES ONYANGO &}{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 ANOR}{\b\insrsid402356 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid402356\charrsid402356 :}{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 PETITIONER}{\b\insrsid5657197 \par }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line }{\b\insrsid402356\charrsid402356 }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 VERSUS }{\b\insrsid5657197 \par }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line ATTORNEY}{\b\insrsid6845907 }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 GENERAL}{\b\insrsid5657197\charrsid402356 ::}{\b\insrsid7411284 :::::::::::}{\b\insrsid402356\charrsid402356 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: RESPONDENT} {\b\insrsid5657197 \par }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line }{\ul\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 CORAM: }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 THE}{\insrsid402356 HON. JUSTICE S. T. MANYINDO. DCJ. JUSTICE C. M. KATO, J}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 A.. }{\insrsid402356 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 JUSTICE J. P. BERKO. J. A., JUSTICE S. G. ENGWAU. J. A., AND JUSTICE A. TWINOMUJUNI, J. A.}{\insrsid402356 \par }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line }{\ul\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 RULING OF THE COURT: }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line The petitioners were on }{\insrsid2832893 24/10/}{\insrsid2832893\charrsid2832893 97}{ \i\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 jointly charged by the DPP in t}{\insrsid2832893 he magistrates court under S.50 (1)}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 of the Penal code Act for Publication of False News on two counts. The case is still pending in the Magistrates Court. In the meantime, on 24/11/97 they brought this petition under Article 137 of the Constitution and The Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 1992 }{\i\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 (}{\insrsid2832893 S. T. No.26/}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid2832893 92}{\i\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 ) }{ \insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 seeking declaration that the action of the DPP}{\insrsid2832893 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 in prosecuting them is inconsistent with the provisions of Articles 29(1)(a), (b) and (e) , Article 40(2) and 43(2)(e) of the Constitution and for our order releasing the petitioners from the criminal prosecution, and finally for a declaration that the petitioners are entitled to damages for unconstitutional prosecution strongly they even requ est this court to refer the matter to the High Court to investigate and determine the quantum of damages.}{\insrsid2832893 \par When the petition w}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 as}{\insrsid2832893 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 called we}{\insrsid2832893 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 invited counsel}{\insrsid2832893 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 to address}{ \insrsid2832893 t}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 he}{\insrsid2832893 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 court}{\insrsid2832893 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 on the question whether it was in order for the petition to proceed to trial in v iew of the criminal case now pending against the petitioners in the Magistrates Court. Counsel}{\insrsid2832893 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 for the petitioners Mr. Nangwala submitted that this petition has nothi}{\insrsid2832893 ng }{ \insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 to do with the charges in the magistrates court as it merely challenges the act of the DPP to charge the petitioners as that act contravenes Art. 29(1)}{\insrsid2832893 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 (a)}{ \insrsid2832893 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 (b) and (e), 40(2) and }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid2832893 43(2)(e}{\insrsid2832893 )}{\i\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 of the Constitution. He also argued that this matter cannot be argued in the lower court by way of defence as that court has no jurisdiction in Constitutional matters. He further argued that the truth or falsehood of what was published is not the issue W} {\insrsid2832893 hat is in issue is S}{\insrsid2832893\charrsid402356 50 (}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 1) of the Penal Code which is inconsistent with the above articles, and it}{\insrsid2832893 is only this court which can pr}{ \insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 onounce on this matter.}{\insrsid2832893 \par \line On his part Mr. Nasser Tum}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 wesige for the respondent was contented to let the petition proceed so that he }{\insrsid2832893\charrsid402356 could}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 argue it on its merits. As can be seen from their answer to the petition, their position is that the DPP\rquote s act in prosecuting the petitioners cann ot be unconstitutional. They also say that S.50 of the Penal code is not inconsistent with the aforesaid articles of the constitution.}{\insrsid2832893 \par }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 We do not agree that this petition has nothing to do with the criminal charges pending against the petitioners. It is remarkable that the petition was brought her}{\insrsid2832893 e after the criminal proceedings}{ \insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 had been instituted against the petitioners, It may well be that if the pe}{\insrsid2832893 titioners had not been charged i}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 n the lower court, they might not have brought this petition in this court. That is why in their prayer in the petition they seek among others the order releasing them from that criminal prosecution.}{\insrsid2832893 \par }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 It seems clear to us therefore tha}{\insrsid2832893 t the purpose of this petition i}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 s to circumvent or even pre-empt the criminal prosecution. But a s this court held in Const. Petition No.4/97 }{\ul\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 Arutu John vs. Attorney General }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 where criminal proceedings are pending in another court and a petition is brought to this court in respect to the same matter, then the petition should be stayed pending the determination of the crimin}{\insrsid2832893 al matter in the trial court.}{ \insrsid9178571 \par }{\insrsid2832893 \line Accordingly we order that this petition be stayed pending be stayed pending de termination of Buganda Road court criminal case No. U 2636/97 against the petitioners. The trial should be conducted as quickly as practicable. We make no order for costs}{\insrsid9178571 .}{\insrsid14891851 \par }{\b\insrsid9178571\charrsid9178571 Dated at Kampala this day of }{\b\insrsid10694038 15}{\b\super\insrsid10694038\charrsid10694038 th}{\b\insrsid10694038 }{\b\insrsid9178571\charrsid9178571 December, 1997 \par }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid7810262 S. T. }{\b\insrsid7810262\charrsid7810262 Manyindo}{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid7810262 \line }{\ul\insrsid7810262 DEPUTY CHIEF JUST}{\ul\insrsid14184407 I}{\ul\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 CE }{ \insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid7810262 C. M. Kato \line }{\ul\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 JUSTICE OF APPEAL }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid7810262 J. P. }{ \b\insrsid7810262\charrsid7810262 Berk}{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid7810262 o}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line }{\ul\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 JUSTICE OF APPEAL }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid7810262 S. G. Engwau}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line }{\ul\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 JUSTICE OF APPEAL }{\insrsid7810262 \line }{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid7810262 A. Twinomujuni}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line }{\ul\insrsid7810262 JUSTI}{ \ul\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 CE OF APPEAL }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 \line \line I }{\insrsid7810262 CER}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 T}{\insrsid7810262 I}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 FY THAT THIS IS A TRUE }{ \i\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 COPY }{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 OF THE ORIGINAL. \line }{\b\insrsid7810262\charrsid7810262 J. MURANGIRA}{\b\insrsid14891851\charrsid7810262 \line }{\b\insrsid7810262\charrsid7810262 REGISTRAR}{ \b\insrsid14891851\charrsid7810262 . COURT OF APPEAL}{\insrsid14891851\charrsid402356 . \line \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid402356 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid10825639\charrsid402356 \par }}