Charles Sabiiti & Ors v Teddy Seezi Cheeye (Civil Suit No. 516 of 1997) [2001] UGHC 5 (15 November 2001)

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang2057\deflangfe2057{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f149\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;} {\f150\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f152\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f153\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f154\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);} {\f155\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f156\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f157\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\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 \snext0 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\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\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 \sbasedon0 \snext15 \styrsid1536583 Normal (Web);}{\s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4153\tqr\tx8306\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 \sbasedon0 \snext16 \styrsid2644449 footer;}{\*\cs17 \additive \sbasedon10 \styrsid2644449 page number;}} {\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0}{\*\listtable{\list\listtemplateid-1570710050\listhybrid{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid134807567 \'02\'00.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fbias0 \fi-360\li720\jclisttab\tx720\lin720 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid134807577\'02\'01.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;} \fi-360\li1440\jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid134807579\'02\'02.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li2160\jclisttab\tx2160\lin2160 } {\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid134807567\'02\'03.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li2880\jclisttab\tx2880\lin2880 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0 \leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid134807577\'02\'04.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li3600\jclisttab\tx3600\lin3600 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1 \levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid134807579\'02\'05.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li4320\jclisttab\tx4320\lin4320 }{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext \leveltemplateid134807567\'02\'06.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li5040\jclisttab\tx5040\lin5040 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid134807577 \'02\'07.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li5760\jclisttab\tx5760\lin5760 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid134807579\'02\'08.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;} \fi-180\li6480\jclisttab\tx6480\lin6480 }{\listname ;}\listid1560246236}}{\*\listoverridetable{\listoverride\listid1560246236\listoverridecount0\ls1}}{\*\pgptbl {\pgp\ipgp0\itap0\li0\ri0\sb0\sa0}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid875633\rsid1536583\rsid2644449\rsid5252204 \rsid9988488\rsid14767283\rsid16325364}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title S }{\author Administrator}{\operator jchemeri}{\creatim\yr2001\mo1\dy2\hr3\min49}{\revtim\yr2001\mo1\dy2\hr7\min18}{\version3}{\edmins39}{\nofpages5} {\nofwords1312}{\nofchars7485}{\*\company JSI}{\nofcharsws8780}{\vern24689}}\paperw11906\paperh16838 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\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\rsidroot1536583\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\insrsid2644449 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\insrsid2644449 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\insrsid2644449 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\insrsid2644449 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linex0\headery708\footery708\colsx708\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid9988488\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4153\tqr\tx8306\pvpara\phmrg\posxr\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid220094 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs17\insrsid2644449 PAGE }}{\fldrslt { \cs17\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid14767283 1}}}{\cs17\insrsid2644449 \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri360\widctlpar\tqc\tx4153\tqr\tx8306\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin0\itap0\pararsid2644449 {\insrsid2644449 \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 \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1 \widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid2644449 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \line IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA \line }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 CIVIL SUIT NO.516/97 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \line CHARLES}{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 SABIITI&OTHERS}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85}{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 PL}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 AINTIFFS \line VERSUS \line TEDDY SEEZI C}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 HEEYE}{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 DEFENDANT \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid2644449 {\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 BEFORE: THE HON. MR. JUSTICE }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid2644449 MUGAMBA}{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \line }{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid2644449 {\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid2644449 JUDGMENT}{ \ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid5252204 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 At the time this suit was filed the three plai ntiffs herein were respectively Chief Accountant, Deputy Chief Accountant and Chief Internal Auditor of the New Vision Printing and Publishing Corporation. The first defendant was at the time Editor in-chief and the second defendant was the }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449\charrsid9988488 Proprietor}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 and Publisher of a publication called }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Uganda Confidential. }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 This suit was brought jointly and severally against both defendants by the plaintiffs seeking general, special and exemplary/punitive and/or aggravated damages arising from an article \lquote \'93Eating\'94 scandal triggers off crisis in }{ \b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \'93}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid2644449 New}{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Vision\'94\rquote . The article was contained in the publication of November 8-15, 1996. In the written statement of defence the defendants maintain the article is true in substance and fact, that it was published without malice and is a fair comment in a matter of public interest. The defence states further that the statement is not highly defamatory of the plaintiffs and that the plaintiffs\rquote reputation and character has not suffered at all as a result of the publication. \line } {\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 The following issues were agreed at the outset: \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \s15\ql \fi-360\li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid2644449 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Whether the a}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 rticle complained of was true? \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Whether the article was a fair comment on a}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 matter of public interest? \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Whether the article was de}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 famatory of the plaintiffs? \line \par {\listtext\pard\plain\s15 \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 4.\tab}}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 If so what remedies are available to the plaintiffs? \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid2644449 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Court h}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 e}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 a}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 r}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 d the evidence of eleven witnesses called on behalf of the plaintiffs, inclusive of the three plaintiffs, in proof of their case. No witnesses were called in support of the defence. What is more on 29}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid2644449 th}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 August 2001 when Co unsel for the defendants had declared that the defence were calling no witnesses and were therefore closing their case Counsel for both}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 parties agreed to file written }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 submissions. There have been no written submissions by the defendants. Consequently this case will be decided on what evidence is available. \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid5252204 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 The first issue is whether the article complained of was true. The plaintiffs tendered copy of the }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449\charrsid9988488 Uganda}{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Confidential }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 for the period November 8-15, 1996, where the article was contained, as an exhibit. I t was received as Exhibit P.1. All the three plaintiffs deny receipt of the money that article alleged they did receive and the manner they allegedly got it. The plaintiffs called the evidence of PW11 William Pike who was the Managing Director and Editor in-Chief of New Vision Printing and Publications Corporation. It was his evidence that the Corporation\rquote s accounts had been in good order and no impropriety had been evident. He testified that the article was not true. The next thing one would have expected to transpire in light of the claim by the plaintiffs is evidence on behalf of the defendants trying to show that the article contained statements w}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid2644449 hich were true. As such is not }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 forthcoming, I will hold that there is no evidence to show that the article is true. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 The second issue is whether the article was a fair comment in a matter of public interest. This Court in }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364\charrsid16325364 Fig}{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid16325364 uerado vs Editor, Sunday}{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Nation & Others }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 [19681 EA 501 stated the position at page 505 of the report thus: \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid16325364 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \lquote To succeed in a defen ce of fair comment, the words \'93complained of\'94 must be shown to be: }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 (a) comment, (b) fair comment, (c) fair comment on some }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 matters of public interest. At the trial it is incumbent on a defendant to prove (1) that each and every statement of fact in the wor}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 ds complained of is true and }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 (}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 2}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 ) that the comment on the facts so proved was bona fide fair comment on a matter of public interest. If a defendant fails to prove the truth of any of the statement of facts, he fails in his defence.\rquote \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid16325364 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 The defendants did not deem it necessary to bring evidence to show that the article was a fair comment on a matter of public interest. In the result I hold that the article fell short of the standard of fair comment. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364

\par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Whether the article was defamatory of the plaintiffs is the third issue for resolution. The Court of Appeal for East Africa in }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid16325364 East African Standard}{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 vs Gitau }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 [1970] EA 67}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 8 per Spry, Acting President, sta}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 ted the position thus at page 681: \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid16325364 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \'93 The test of what is defamatory is whether the words complained of would tend t o lower the reputation of the plaintiff in the opinion of right-thinking persons. I do not think this is a case where the words used would be analysed too closely. I think we should look at the general impression they are likely to create in the minds of r}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 easonable persons. ..\'94}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \line \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid5252204 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 See also }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Hough vs London Express Newspapers Ltd }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 [1940] 2 K. B. 507 and }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364\charrsid16325364 L}{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid16325364 ewis}{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 vs Daily Telegraph }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 [19631 2 All ER 151. PW4, PW5, PW6 and PW7 knew all the plaintiffs. They read the article complained of and understood the article to mean that the plaintiffs had taken advantage of their positions and misappropriated money from their employer. They no longer held the plaintiffs in the high esteem in which they held them before. PW8, wife of the second plaintiff, after reading the arti cle came to regard her husband as dishonest. I have no doubt in my mind that the article was defamatory of the plaintiffs. In the absence of explanation I find the article malicious also. \line Before I go to the last issue agreed, I must state that evidence in this case was heard by my late brother Justice Ignatius Malinga who unfortunately was not allowed to see this case through. In the course of hearing he made two rulings reasons for which he undertook to give on the occasion of judgment. I must turn to tha t unfinished business now. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 On 3}{\lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid16325364 rd}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 November 1997 when the first plaintiff had started testifying the second defendant protested the presence of the other plaintiffs in court as that was prejudicial to his case. Court thereafter overruled the objection promi sing to give reasons at the time of judgment. The plaintiffs are parties to a suit and as such have a right to be present throughout the course of the suit in court. To send them out of court at any stage would be excluding them from the hearing of their case. This cannot be done. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 On }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364\charrsid9988488 22}{\lang1033\langfe2057\super\langnp1033\insrsid16325364\charrsid16325364 nd}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364\charrsid9988488 October}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 1998 Counsel for the defendants objected to a witness quoting beyond the words put under quotation marks in the plaint within paragraph 5. I note that in a way court did give its reasons for overruling the objecti on. At any rate it is noteworthy that quotation from the passage objected to did not continue after the overruling. \line \par Having reached the conclusions I have I give judgment to the plaintiffs. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 There remains the question of what reliefs are available to th e plaintiffs. Apart from general damages the plaintiffs claim exemplary/punitive damages. Concerning exemplary/punitive damages the position was optly stated in }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 W. S. O. Davies vs Mohanlal Karamshi }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid16325364 Shah}{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 [1957] CA 352, 354 thus: \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid16325364 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \'93The third point indicated a failure by the learned judge to appreciate that punitive or exemplary damages are, as their names imply, damages by way of punishment or deterrent. They are given entirely without reference, to any proved actual loss suffered by the plaintiff\'94. }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid16325364 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 The plaint iffs in their submissions pray for Shs.5}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364\charrsid9988488 , 000,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 /= as exemplary/punitive damages. I want to believe that the defendants have realised the folly of printing }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364 and publishing defamatory article o}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 f the nature before court and that as a result they should be encouraged to thrive if they are to disseminate more agreeable news and ideas. In that vein exemplary damages will be Shs.3}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid16325364\charrsid9988488 , 000,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 /= to each of the plaintiffs. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid5252204 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Concerning general damages counsel for the plaintiff suggests Shs.7}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633\charrsid9988488 , 000,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 /= to each of the plai ntiffs having reviewed various awards by this court to different people over time. The case of }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Kaijuka vs }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid875633 Cheeye}{ \ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 HCCS 688/91 where an award of Shs.14}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633\charrsid9988488 , 000,000}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 /= general damages was made to a Cabinet Minister and that of }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid875633 Rhoda}{ \ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid875633 Kalema}{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 vs William Pike }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 HCCS 611/93 where Shs.4}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633\charrsid9988488 , 500,000}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 /= was awarded to a former distinguished civil servant and then that of }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Gordon }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid875633 Wavamuno}{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 (without more particulars) where Shs.l5}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633\charrsid9988488 , 000,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 /= was awarded as general damages to a local and international businessman. Perhaps I should add that case of }{ \b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid875633 Emmanuel}{\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid875633 Tumusiime}{ \ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Mutebile & }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid875633 2}{ \b\i\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 }{\b\ul\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 others vs Teddy Ssezi Cheeye }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 HCCS 341/92 where Shs.4}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633\charrsid9988488 , 800,000}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 /= was awarded to a Pe}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633 rmanent Secretary. Taking into }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 account all the circumstances and the value of the currency I would award Shs.6,.000,000/= to each of the plaintiffs as general damages. \line }{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 There shall be interest accruing at 20% p}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633 er annum on general damages and }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 exemplary/punitive damages from the date of judgment until realisation in full. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633 \par }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 The plaintiffs are entitled to costs of this suit. \line }{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\ipgp1\pararsid875633 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 P. M}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633 ugamba}{\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 Judge \line }{\b\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid875633 15/11/2001}{ \lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5252204 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\lang1033\langfe2057\langnp1033\insrsid1536583\charrsid9988488 \par }}