Ggoloba Godfrey v Harriet Kizito [2007] UGSC 17 (27 June 2007)

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Jessica chemeri}{\creatim\yr2008\mo4\dy14\hr10\min1} {\revtim\yr2008\mo4\dy14\hr10\min1}{\printim\yr2007\mo6\dy27\hr15\min54}{\version2}{\edmins1}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords362}{\nofchars2067}{\*\company COURTS OF JUDICATURE}{\nofcharsws2425}{\vern24689}}\margb900 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale75\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct \asianbrkrule\rsidroot12926822\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12205921 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12205921 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12205921 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12205921 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid1731376\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid14897463 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs16\insrsid2448936 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs16\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid16715988 1}}}{\cs16\insrsid2448936 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2448936 \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\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12926822 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f35\fs40\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\b\f35\fs40\insrsid4937330\charrsid1932178 \par }{\b\f35\fs40\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 \par IN THE SUPREME COURT OF UGANDA \par }{\b\f35\fs32\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 \par }\pard \ql \fi-1440\li1440\ri-360\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin1440\itap0\pararsid2325996 {\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid2325996 (CORAM: }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid12926822\charrsid2325996 ODOKI, CJ; TSEKOOKO,}{ \b\f35\fs28\insrsid1731376\charrsid2325996 }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid12926822\charrsid2325996 MULENGA,}{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid2325996 }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid2325996\charrsid2325996 KANYEIHAMBA, }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid2325996 AND }{ \b\f35\fs28\insrsid12926822\charrsid2325996 KATUREEBE, JSC) \par }\pard \ql \fi-1440\li1440\ri-360\widctlpar\tx8220\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin1440\itap0\pararsid2325996 {\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid2325996 \tab \tab }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid12926822\charrsid2325996 \par }\pard \qc \fi-1260\li1260\ri-360\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin1260\itap0\pararsid12926822 {\b\f35\fs48\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 CIVIL APPEAL No.7 OF 2006. \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid12926822\charrsid12926822 \par }\pard \ql \fi-1260\li1260\ri-360\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin1260\itap0\pararsid12926822 {\b\f35\fs40\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 GGOLOOBA GODFREY \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85APPELLANT \par \par }\pard \qc \fi-1260\li1260\ri-360\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin1260\itap0\pararsid12926822 {\b\f35\fs40\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 AND \par }\pard \ql \fi-1260\li1260\ri-360\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin1260\itap0\pararsid12926822 {\b\f35\fs40\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 HARRIET KIZITO\'85\'85\'85\'85}{\b\f35\fs40\insrsid1932178 \'85...}{ \b\f35\fs40\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 \'85RESPONDENT}{\b\f35\fs40\insrsid12926822 \par }\pard \ql \fi-180\li180\ri-360\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin180\itap0\pararsid2325996 {\b\i\f35\fs20\insrsid2448936 [}{\b\i\f35\fs20\insrsid2325996\charrsid2325996 Appeal from the decision of the Court of Appeal at Kampala (Mpagi-Bahigeine,}{\b\i\f35\fs20\insrsid2448936 Engwau and Twinomujuni, JJ. A) d}{\b\i\f35\fs20\insrsid2325996\charrsid2325996 ated 22}{\b\i\f35\fs20\super\insrsid2325996\charrsid2325996 nd}{ \b\i\f35\fs20\insrsid2325996\charrsid2325996 February, 200}{\b\i\f35\fs20\insrsid2448936 6 in Civil Appeal No.65 of 2005]}{\b\i\f35\fs20\insrsid2325996\charrsid2325996 \par }\pard \ql \fi-1260\li1260\ri-360\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin1260\itap0\pararsid12926822 {\b\f35\fs40\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 \par }\pard \qc \fi-1260\li1260\ri-360\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin1260\itap0\pararsid12926822 {\b\f35\fs40\ul\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 JUDGMENT OF THE COURT \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid12926822 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1932178 {\f35\fs32\insrsid12926822\charrsid1932178 This is a second appeal from the Court of Appeal which allowed the appeal by the respondent}{ \f35\fs32\insrsid3737544\charrsid1932178 whose suit had been dismissed }{\f35\fs32\insrsid2325996 in the High Court }{\f35\fs32\insrsid3737544\charrsid1932178 for non-appearance on the day of hearing.}{\f35\fs32\insrsid12926822 \par }{\f35\fs32\insrsid1731376\charrsid1932178 \par }{\f35\fs32\insrsid2325996 T}{\f35\fs32\insrsid3737544\charrsid1932178 hree grounds }{\f35\fs32\insrsid2325996 of appeal }{\f35\fs32\insrsid3737544\charrsid1932178 have been argued by }{\f35\fs32\insrsid2325996 Mr. }{\f35\fs32\insrsid11018814 Lutakome}{ \f35\fs32\insrsid2448936 ,}{\f35\fs32\insrsid11018814 }{\f35\fs32\insrsid3737544\charrsid1932178 counsel for the appellant}{\f35\fs32\insrsid2448936 ,}{\f35\fs32\insrsid3737544\charrsid1932178 in this Court }{\f35\fs32\insrsid7345215\charrsid1932178 centering on whether the Court of Appeal was correct in not agreeing with the High Court that the respondent\rquote s advocate had shown sufficient cause for not appearing at the hearing of the case. The appeal is opposed by }{\f35\fs32\insrsid14549751 Mr. Makada, }{\f35\fs32\insrsid7345215\charrsid1932178 counsel for the respondent.}{\f35\fs32\insrsid3737544\charrsid1932178 \par }{\f35\fs32\insrsid76740\charrsid1932178 \par Having heard the submission}{\f35\fs32\insrsid2448936 s}{\f35\fs32\insrsid76740\charrsid1932178 of both counsel and having conside red the evidence on record, we are satisfied that the Court of Appeal came to the correct conclusion that the High Court erred in dismissing the applicatio}{\f35\fs32\insrsid14549751 n for reinstatement of the suit w}{ \f35\fs32\insrsid76740\charrsid1932178 hen the respondent\rquote s advocate had shown sufficient cause for not appearing because he was under the impression that the parties were }{\f35\fs32\insrsid10240212\charrsid1932178 still negotiating a settlement. Hi}{\f35\fs32\insrsid14549751 s affidavit to that effect was}{\f35\fs32\insrsid2448936 ,}{\f35\fs32\insrsid14549751 i}{\f35\fs32\insrsid10240212\charrsid1932178 n our view}{\f35\fs32\insrsid14549751 ,}{ \f35\fs32\insrsid10240212\charrsid1932178 sufficient and it was not necessary for the respondent to personally swear an affidavit to that effect.}{\f35\fs32\insrsid1932178\charrsid1932178 It has been held that a mistake by an }{ \f35\fs32\insrsid14549751\charrsid1932178 advocate should}{\f35\fs32\insrsid1932178\charrsid1932178 not be visited on }{\f35\fs32\insrsid14549751 a}{\f35\fs32\insrsid1932178\charrsid1932178 party. We see no merit in the argument }{ \f35\fs32\insrsid14549751 by Counsel for the appellant }{\f35\fs32\insrsid1932178\charrsid1932178 that affidavit was not properly sworn because it did not bear the name }{\f35\fs32\insrsid2691787\charrsid1932178 of the}{ \f35\fs32\insrsid1932178\charrsid1932178 commissioner for oath who commissioned it. We }{\f35\fs32\insrsid14549751 think that}{\f35\fs32\insrsid1932178\charrsid1932178 this was an after}{\f35\fs32\insrsid2448936 tho}{ \f35\fs32\insrsid2448936\charrsid1932178 ugh}{\f35\fs32\insrsid2448936 t}{\f35\fs32\insrsid14549751 on the part of the }{\f35\fs32\insrsid2448936 appellant as}{\f35\fs32\insrsid1932178\charrsid1932178 the matter was not raised in the trial court, or pressed in the Court of Appeal.}{\f35\fs32\insrsid76740 \par }{\f35\fs32\insrsid1731376\charrsid1932178 \par }{\f35\fs32\insrsid1932178\charrsid1932178 In the result we find no merit in this appeal. It is accordingly dismissed with costs in this Court. \par \par We set aside the order of the High Court dismissing the suit and reinstate the suit to be heard on its own merits. \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-360\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid3737544 {\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178 Dated at Mengo this 27}{\f35\fs28\super\insrsid1932178\charrsid1932178 th}{\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178 day of June, 2007. \par \par \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1932178 {\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 B. J. ODOKI \par }{\b\f35\fs28\ul\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 CHIEF JUSTICE \par }{\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid7930763 \par }{\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178 \par \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 J. W. N. TSEKOOKO \par }{\b\f35\fs28\ul\insrsid1932178 JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT}{\b\f35\fs28\ul\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 \par }{\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178 \par \par \par }{\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid7930763 \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 J. N. MULENGA \par }{\b\f35\fs28\ul\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178 \par \par \par \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 G. W. KANYEIHAMBA \par }{\b\f35\fs28\ul\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178 \par \par \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 \par B.}{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178 M .}{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 KATUREEBE \par }{\b\f35\fs28\ul\insrsid1932178\charrsid16272869 JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT}{\b\f35\fs28\ul\insrsid1932178 \par }}