Kasaija David v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 214 of 2002) [2009] UGCA 29 (12 August 2009)

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{\edmins0}{\nofpages6}{\nofwords1363}{\nofchars7772}{\nofcharsws9117}{\vern24689}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1 \dgvshow1\jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct\asianbrkrule \rsidroot743113\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid13044575 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid13044575 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 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.}}{\*\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\pararsid859150 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid743113\charrsid859150 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF UGANDA \par AT KAMPALA \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\b\insrsid743113\charrsid859150 \par CORAM:\tab HON. JUSTICE A. E. N. MPAGI-BAHIGEINE, JA \par \tab \tab HON. JUSTICE S. G. ENGWAU, JA \par \tab \tab HON. JUSTICE S. B. K. KAVUMA, JA \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\b\insrsid743113\charrsid859150 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.214 OF 2002 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\b\insrsid743113\charrsid859150 \par KASAIJA DAVID \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85. APPELLANT \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\b\insrsid743113\charrsid859150 VERSUS \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\b\insrsid743113\charrsid859150 UGANDA \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85.. RESPONDENT \par }{\insrsid16325948\charrsid859150 [Appeal from conviction and sentence of the High court of Uganda, at Kasese (Kania, J) dated 12}{\super\insrsid16325948\charrsid859150 th}{\insrsid16325948\charrsid859150 November, 2002 in Criminal Session Case No.58 of 2001]}{\insrsid743113\charrsid859150 \par }{\insrsid16325948\charrsid859150 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\b\ul\insrsid16325948\charrsid859150 JUDGMENT OF THE COURT \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\insrsid16325948\charrsid859150 The appellant, }{\insrsid13400769\charrsid859150 Kasaija David, was in dicted for and convicted of defilement contrary to section}{\insrsid6497314\charrsid859150 129(1) of the Penal Code Act.}{\insrsid13400769\charrsid859150 He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by the High Court of Uganda sitting at Kasese.}{ \insrsid16325948\charrsid859150 \par }{\insrsid13400769\charrsid859150 \par The brief facts of the case were that on the 4}{\super\insrsid13400769\charrsid859150 th}{\insrsid13400769\charrsid859150 June, 2000 at around 6.00p. m at Kaserengete village in Kasese District, the victim Biira Kavumi, PW5, was playing with her friend, Scovia Muhindo, PW6, at her home. The appellant asked the girl }{\insrsid13502565\charrsid859150 to go with him, pretending that he was going to give her money. He took the girl to a nearby uncompleted brick }{\insrsid6497314\charrsid859150 house of one Kaheru where he had}{\insrsid13502565\charrsid859150 sexual intercourse with her.}{ \insrsid13400769\charrsid859150 \par }{\insrsid13502565\charrsid859150 \par While the appellant was sexually assaulting the victim, she felt much pain in the stomach and started crying, which attracted her }{\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 playmate}{\insrsid13502565\charrsid859150 , PW6, who proceeded to the sce ne to see what was going on. On arrival, PW6 found the appellant putting on his trousers and the victim was bleeding from her private parts. This was in one of the rooms of the uncompleted building. Thereafter, the appellant left and the girl went back home. As he was going, the appellant told the girls not to disclose what had happened because he was going to buy them a bun. \par \par When the mother, Ms Mbambu Rehema, PW4, returned home, the victim reported to her that the appellant had sexual intercourse with her. PW4 knew the appellant before.}{\insrsid13593593\charrsid859150 He was a wheelbarrow pusher. As PW4 was examining the victim, in the presence of PW6, she found blood and semen in the girl\rquote s private parts. Immediately, PW4 reported the incident to Chairman L. C. I of the area.}{\insrsid13502565\charrsid859150

\par }{\insrsid13593593\charrsid859150 \par The following morning, PW4 reported the matter to Bwera Police Post. She was given a police form which she took to Bwera hospital. The girl was examined by a doctor and she returned the form to the police. Consequently, the appellant was arrested on 6} {\super\insrsid13593593\charrsid859150 th}{\insrsid13593593\charrsid859150 June, 2000 by No.22088 P/C Ochuna. \par \par }{\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 At the trial, the medical report on the victim, compiled by Dr. Muhindo Joy, PW1, of Bwera Hospital, was admitted in evidence under section 66 of the Trial on Indictments Act. The medical report on the appellant compiled by Dr. Mairuha, PW2, and the statement of the arresting officer, No.22088 P/C Ochuna, PW3 were also admitted in evidence.}{\insrsid13593593\charrsid859150 \par }{\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \par After examining the victim, Dr. Muhindo Joy, PW1, made the following findings: \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (i)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-1080\li1800\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx1800\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1800\itap0\pararsid859150 {\b\i\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 Biira Kavumi was 4 years old; \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (ii)\tab}The hymen had a lateral fresh tear; \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (iii)\tab}The tear was recent; \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (iv)\tab}There were recent bruises in the inner aspect of the labia majora; \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (v)\tab}Injuries or bruises were consistent with force having been sexually used; \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (vi)\tab}The victim was not capable of putting up resistance; and \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (vii)\tab}No sign of venereal diseases. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\b\i\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \par }{\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 Regarding the medical evidence of Dr. Mairuha, PW2, concerning the appellant, his findings were: \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-720\li2160\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx2160\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\ilvl1\adjustright\rin0\lin2160\itap0\pararsid859150 {\b\i\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 The appellant had no bruises, scratches or other injuries or scars on his body; \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}He was 19 years old, and \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}his mental condition was normal. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \par }{\insrsid6497314\charrsid859150 The appellant in his defenc}{\insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 e, denied any involvement in the commission of the offence of defilement. The learned trial judge convicted him on the strength of the prosecution case, hence this appeal on the following grounds:}{\insrsid10817564\charrsid859150 \par }{\insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid859150 {\b\i\insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 The learned trial judge erred in law and fact when he failed to evaluate the evidence on record thereby convicting the appellant.

\par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab} The learned trial judge misdirected himself in fact and law when he relied on circumstantial evidence to reach his decision to convict the appellant. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}The learned trial j udge erred in fact and law when he convicted the appellant using uncorroborated evidence of prosecution witnesses. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 \par }{\insrsid6497314\charrsid859150 M}{\insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 s Janet Nakakande Kigozi, learned counsel representing the appellant on state brief, argued the three grounds together. Mr. Odumbe Owere, learned Senior Principal State Attorney, represented the State. \par \par On grounds 1, 2 and 3, Ms Nakakande Kigozi, submitted that the ingredient of penetrative sexual intercourse was not proved beyond reasonable doubt. Counsel pointed out that the medical repor t was not conclusive to corroborate the evidence of the girl. She further submitted that PW6\rquote s evidence was also not sufficient to corroborate the evidence of the victim. \par \par The mother of the girl, PW4, examined her}{\insrsid10906768\charrsid859150 and}{\insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 found blood and some semen in her private parts. Accordi}{\insrsid10906768\charrsid859150 ng to counsel, her evidence did}{ \insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 not connect the appellant with the offence. \par }{\insrsid11951701\charrsid859150 \par According to the above submissions, counsel submitted that the learned trial judge did not properly evaluate the evidence on record before convicting the appel lant. In the premises, counsel prayed that we should allow this appeal, quash conviction and set aside the sentence. \par \par }{\insrsid3550361\charrsid859150 In the alternative and without prejudice to the foregoing, learned counsel pointed out that the appellant was 19 years old when he commit ted the offence. In the circumstances, prayed for a lenient custodial sentence. She suggested 6 years imprisonment would be adequate and appropriate in the circumstances of the case. \par \par Mr. Odumbe Owere submitted that the act of sexual intercourse was prov ed beyond reasonable doubt. In support of his argument, counsel relied on the testimony of the victim herself, PW5. She stated that as the appellant was sexually assaulting her, she felt a lot of pain in her stomach and she started bleeding from her pri vate parts. PW6 heard the girl crying and when she went to the scene to find out what was happening to her, she found the appellant putting on his trousers but the victim was bleeding from her private parts. \par \par The mother, PW4,}{\insrsid10685512\charrsid859150 examined the victim and found blood and semen in her private parts. The doctor, PW1, who examined the victim found recent tear in the inside part of the vagina. In counsel\rquote s view, the evidence adduced }{\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 establishes}{\insrsid10685512\charrsid859150 that the appellant had defiled the victim. In the premises, learned attorney prayed for dismissal of this appeal. \par \par In the alternative and without prejudice to the foregoing, Mr. Odumbe Owere submitted that the sentence }{\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 meted}{\insrsid10685512\charrsid859150 to the appellant is not illegal. The victim was 4 years old and the appellant was 19 years old. In the circumstances of the case, Mr. Owere asked court not to interfere with the sentence. \par \par At the trial, the victim in }{\insrsid10906768\charrsid859150 an }{\insrsid10685512\charrsid859150 unsworn statement informed court that she was five years old. When the appellant committed the offence she was 4 years old. Her mothe r, PW4, confirmed her age. The medical report compiled by Dr. Muhindo Joy, PW!, further corroborates the victim\rquote s age was 4 years old. In the circumstances, we agree with the finding of the learned trial judge that the victim was a}{ \insrsid6497314\charrsid859150 girl under the age of 18 years when the offence was committed.}{\insrsid10685512\charrsid859150 \par As regards the element of penetrative sexual intercourse, the victim informed court that on the material day, the appellant did a very shameful thing to her. In the process, she felt too much pain in the stomach, s he started crying while bleeding from her private parts. The crying noise attracted the attention of her play-mate, PW6, who was in the vicinity.}{\insrsid8720480\charrsid859150 \par On arrival at the scene of crime, PW6 found the appellant dressing up his trousers while the victim was bleed ing from the private parts. Before the appellant left the scene, he warned PW5 and PW6 not to disclose to anyone what had happened and he promised to buy them buns to eat. \par \par Both PW5 and PW6 reported the incident to the mother of the victim, PW4. Immediately PW4 received that information, she examined the }{\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 girl}{\insrsid8720480\charrsid859150 and found that there was blood and some semen in her private parts. Dr. Muhindo Joy, PW1, who also examined the victim, found that her hymen had a lateral fresh tear. The tear was recent. There we re also recent bruises in the inner aspect of the labia majora. \par \par The evidence of the victim regarding the ingredient of penetrative sexual intercourse, was corroborated by the evidence of her play-mate, PW6, her mother, PW4 and that of the doctor, PW1. We are unable to fault the learned trial judge\rquote s }{ \insrsid6497314\charrsid859150 finding}{\insrsid8720480\charrsid859150 that penetrative sexual intercourse was proved beyond reasonable doubt. \par \par Both PW5 and PW6 knew the appellant before the incident. He was renting a house near the home of the victim. Both witnesses informed PW4 that it was the appellant who defiled the }{\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 girl}{\insrsid8720480\charrsid859150 . The incident happened in broad}{\insrsid6497314\charrsid859150 day light in }{\insrsid10906768\charrsid859150 an }{\insrsid6497314\charrsid859150 uncompleted house at around 6:00p.m.}{\insrsid8720480\charrsid859150 PW5 and PW6 properly identified the appellant at the scene of crime. In the premises, we cannot fault the learned trial judge for holding that it was the appellant who defiled the victim. }{\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 The prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the offence of defilement was committed. \par }{\insrsid30538\charrsid859150 \par }{\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 In the result, this appeal is devoid of merit and we dismiss it, uphold the conviction and sentence. \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 Dated at Kampala this }{\insrsid30538\charrsid859150 12}{\super\insrsid30538\charrsid859150 th}{ \insrsid30538\charrsid859150 }{\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 day of }{\insrsid30538\charrsid859150 August}{\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 2009. \par }{\insrsid30538\charrsid859150 \par }{\i\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 A. E. N. Mpagi-Bahigeine \par }{\b\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 JUSTICE OF APPEAL \par }{\i\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 S. G. Engwau \par }{\b\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 JUSTICE OF APPEAL \par }{\i\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 S. B. K. Kavuma \par }{\b\insrsid10573591\charrsid859150 JUSTICE OF APPEAL}{\b\insrsid11951701\charrsid859150 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid859150 {\insrsid11951701\charrsid859150 \par }{\b\i\insrsid7032430\charrsid859150 \par }}