Katunda Johnson v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 30 of 2002) [2009] UGCA 27 (6 August 2009)

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{\insrsid11564485 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linemod5\linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid6227770\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8593738 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs16\insrsid5394590 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs16\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid9731761 1}}}{\cs16\insrsid5394590 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid5394590 \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\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\b\insrsid11939083\charrsid9731761 \par }{\b\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 \par IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 CORAM:\tab HON. JUSTICE C. N. B KITUMBA, JA. \par \tab \tab HON. JUSTICE S. B. K. KAVUMA, JA. \par \tab \tab HON. JUSTICE A. S. NSHIMYE, JA. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\ul\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 CRIMINAL APPEAL No.30 OF 2002. \par }{\b\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 KATUNDA JOHNSON \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85. APPELLANT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 VERSUS \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 UGANDA \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85. RESPONDENT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\i\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 [Appeal from the decision of the High Court, held at Bushenyi (Mugamba, J) dated 26/5/2002 in Criminal Session Case No.169 of 2002]. \par \par }{\b\ul\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 JUGEMENT OF THE COURT \par }{\ul\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\insrsid10701558\charrsid9731761 Katunda Johnson, the appella}{\insrsid1996529\charrsid9731761 n}{\insrsid10701558\charrsid9731761 t}{ \insrsid3873845\charrsid9731761 ,}{\insrsid10701558\charrsid9731761 was jointly indicted }{\insrsid3873845\charrsid9731761 with another c}{\insrsid5050297\charrsid9731761 o-}{\insrsid10701558\charrsid9731761 accused with aggravated robbery, contrary to section 285 and 286 (}{\insrsid3873845\charrsid9731761 2) of the Penal Code Act. The c}{\insrsid10701558\charrsid9731761 o-accused was acquitted but the appellant was convicted as indicted and sentenced to suffer death.}{\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid10701558\charrsid9731761 \par The following are the facts of the appeal.}{\insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 On May 31}{\super\insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 st}{\insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 1999 at Rushega village Bitereko subcountry Bushenyi District Julius }{ \insrsid4742741\charrsid9731761 Bagum}{\insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 isha PW1 and Night Bagumisha}{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 Pw2}{\insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 who }{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 are husband and wife,}{ \insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 were sl}{\insrsid4742741\charrsid9731761 eeping in their house at around 1.00 a.m.}{\insrsid10701558\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 The door to their house was banged and }{\insrsid4742741\charrsid9731761 fell inside. S}{\insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 ome two assailants enter}{\insrsid4742741\charrsid9731761 ed their house}{ \insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 . The witnesses were able to see and recogni}{\insrsid4742741\charrsid9731761 ze the appellant by aid of the l}{\insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 ight from the torch that he was flashing. The appellant cut}{ \insrsid12461307\charrsid9731761 the two witnesses with a panga. \par }{\insrsid16586250\charrsid9731761 PW1 was cut on the wrist and PW}{\insrsid12461307\charrsid9731761 2 was cut on the arm. The witnesses made an ala}{\insrsid16586250\charrsid9731761 r}{\insrsid12461307\charrsid9731761 m}{ \insrsid16586250\charrsid9731761 which was answered by their neighbours who took the}{\insrsid1923067\charrsid9731761 m}{\insrsid16586250\charrsid9731761 to hospital. The appellant and his co-accused were arrested on the following day and taken to the police. They were jointly indicted for robbery with aggravation. The co-accused was acquitted at the close of the }{\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 prosecution case as he had no case to answer. \par \par The appellant in his unsworn statement totally denied the offence. He set up a defence of alibi. \par The learned trial judge rejected the defence, believed the prosecution case}{\insrsid1923067\charrsid9731761 ,}{\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 convicted the appellant and sentenced him to death. \par }{\insrsid1919742\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 He has appealed to this Court on the following grounds: - \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (a)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-555\li915\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx915\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin915\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\i\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 That the learned trial judge failed to properly evaluate the evidence and hence came to a wrong decision. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (b)\tab}There was no proper identification of the assailant. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (c)\tab}That there was lack }{\b\i\insrsid6385204\charrsid9731761 of competent}{\b\i\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 legal proof. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 (d)\tab}That the sentence was harsh and excessive. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 He prayed court to allow the appeal quash the conviction and set aside the sentence. In the alternative to vary the sentence. \par }{\insrsid529916\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 Mr. Stephen Mugoma, learned counsel for the appellant}{\insrsid529916\charrsid9731761 ,}{\insrsid14105296\charrsid9731761 argued all the grounds together and Mr. Michael Wamasebu}{\insrsid14176432\charrsid9731761 , }{ \insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 Learned }{\insrsid14176432\charrsid9731761 Assis}{\insrsid6227770\charrsid9731761 t}{\insrsid14176432\charrsid9731761 ant Director of Publ}{\insrsid529916\charrsid9731761 ic Prosecutions replied}{ \insrsid14176432\charrsid9731761 in a similar manner. We shall deal with the ground}{\insrsid529916\charrsid9731761 s of appeal}{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 as}{\insrsid529916\charrsid9731761 counsel }{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 submitted on}{\insrsid529916\charrsid9731761 with them.}{\insrsid10056299\charrsid9731761 \par \par Appellants\rquote counsel complained about the evaluation of evidence. He contended that if the learned trial judge had evaluated the evidence properly, he would not have convicted the appellant. Counsel submitted}{\insrsid5378005\charrsid9731761 that PW1\rquote s testimony was to the effect that when the }{\insrsid6227770\charrsid9731761 door was}{\insrsid198056\charrsid9731761 kicked it fell on the bed. He covered himself with his blanket but was able to see and recognize the appellant. Appellant\rquote s counsel submitted }{\insrsid16152568\charrsid9731761 that}{\insrsid8020931\charrsid9731761 PW}{ \insrsid198056\charrsid9731761 1}{\insrsid8020931\charrsid9731761 \rquote s}{\insrsid198056\charrsid9731761 testimony t}{\insrsid8020931\charrsid9731761 h}{\insrsid198056\charrsid9731761 at he saw and recognized the appellant in such circumstances was unbelievable.}{\insrsid8986388\charrsid9731761 \par Counsel argued further that PW2\rquote s testimony that she saw and recognized the appellant as he}{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 was flashing the torch in}{\insrsid15886722\charrsid9731761 to her eyes could not be believed}{ \insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 either}{\insrsid15886722\charrsid9731761 .}{\insrsid2063807\charrsid9731761 \par On sentence Mr. Mugoma prayed court that in case the conviction is upheld}{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 ,}{\insrsid2063807\charrsid9731761 maximum leniency should be exercised to the appellant. }{\insrsid148776\charrsid9731761 He }{ \insrsid5001363\charrsid9731761 submitted}{\insrsid148776\charrsid9731761 that the appellant is a young man in his early twenties. His mother is aged 60 years and his father is 65}{\insrsid5001363\charrsid9731761 years}{\insrsid148776\charrsid9731761 . The appellant had three brothers and one of them died and the other two disappeared. The appellant is the only one who used to cultivate food for his parents. Counsel submitted that t}{\insrsid1006692\charrsid9731761 he appellant had been in prison since his remand for about 10 years}{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 and to him that was enough punishment}{\insrsid1006692\charrsid9731761 .}{\insrsid148776\charrsid9731761 \par \par Mr. Wamasebu opposed the appeal against both conviction and sentence. He contended that the conditions were favourable for correct identification.}{\insrsid198056\charrsid9731761 }{\insrsid148776\charrsid9731761 He submitted that the appellant was familiar to the}{\insrsid10619785\charrsid9731761 witness, as they were village mates. Both witnesses observed the appellant for sometime and he was not far bec ause the room in which they were was very small. The appellant had a torch and the witnesses were able to see and recognize him. He}{\insrsid12065763\charrsid9731761 ,}{\insrsid10619785\charrsid9731761 therefore}{\insrsid12065763\charrsid9731761 ,}{ \insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 supported the learned trial judges}{\insrsid10619785\charrsid9731761 \rquote finding that PW1 and PW2 saw and recognized the appellant as their assailant}{\insrsid13832479\charrsid9731761 .}{ \insrsid5392806\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid14961159\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid13832479\charrsid9731761 Regarding sentence}{\insrsid12065763\charrsid9731761 ,}{\insrsid13832479\charrsid9731761 the learned Assistant DPP while conceding that the sentence of death was too harsh in the circumstances, submitted that the appellant deserved a custodial sentence which is more than 10 years. He submitted that he subjected the victims to severe bl}{ \insrsid11684837\charrsid9731761 ows with a pang. He suggested that a sentence of life imprisonment would be appropriate.}{\insrsid13832479\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 \par The issue during the trial and in this appeal is whether the two prosecution witnesses properly identified the appellant as their assailant. \par The learned trial judge in his judgement held that the appellant was properly identified because there was light from torch. Besides the witnesses knew the appellant before and there was a short distance between them and the appellant. \par \par We are a first appellant court and we have the duty to re appraise the evidence on }{\insrsid4539604\charrsid9731761 record. See Rule }{\insrsid16006804\charrsid9731761 30 (}{\insrsid4539604\charrsid9731761 I) (a) of T}{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 he }{\insrsid4539604\charrsid9731761 Judicature}{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 }{\insrsid4539604\charrsid9731761 (}{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 Court of Appeal}{\insrsid4539604\charrsid9731761 )}{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 Rules and }{ \b\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 Kifamunte Henry V Uganda}{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 .}{\insrsid4539604\charrsid9731761 Cr. App.10 of 1997 . S. C.}{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 \par \par In the instant appeal there only two eye }{\insrsid4539604\charrsid9731761 witnesses namely Julius Bemugis}{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 a, PW1, and his wife}{\insrsid4539604\charrsid9731761 Sanyu Night (}{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 PW2}{ \insrsid4539604\charrsid9731761 )}{\insrsid1250005\charrsid9731761 .}{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 \par \par }{\insrsid13381123\charrsid9731761 \par \par }{\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 PW1 testified as follows \endash \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri1253\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin1253\lin720\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\insrsid10647023\charrsid9731761 On 30}{\b\super\insrsid10647023\charrsid9731761 th}{\b\insrsid10647023\charrsid9731761 May 1999, at around 1.00 a.m. I was at my home with my wife sleeping. The door to my house fell in and woke me up. I knew I had been attacked as the door was to my bedroom. I raised an alarm and covered myself into a blanket, still on my bed.}{ \insrsid10647023\charrsid9731761 }{\b\insrsid9197765\charrsid9731761 I was able to see A1 with a panga. I looked through the opening in the blanket a}{\b\insrsid9655446\charrsid9731761 nd recognized AI}{\b\insrsid9197765\charrsid9731761 as he was carrying a torch. The torch was directed towards where I slept. There was }{\b\insrsid9655446\charrsid9731761 bright light from the torch. AI}{\b\insrsid9197765\charrsid9731761 came directly facing where I was. There was a distance of 2}{ \b\super\insrsid9197765\charrsid9731761 1}{\b\insrsid9197765\charrsid9731761 /}{\b\sub\insrsid9197765\charrsid9731761 2}{\b\insrsid9197765\charrsid9731761 metres from where I was lying to the door. After he cut me, he carried the radio cassette and went out.}{\b\insrsid8089005\charrsid9731761 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\insrsid13180830\charrsid9731761 \par In cross examination, he stated \endash \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri1253\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin1253\lin720\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\insrsid13180830\charrsid9731761 When the door fell A1 flashe}{\b\insrsid6450459\charrsid9731761 d a torch. I was able to see AI}{ \b\insrsid13180830\charrsid9731761 and then covered myself into the blanket. Between the flash or the torch}{\b\insrsid6227770\charrsid9731761 and covering of myself, it took}{\b\insrsid13180830\charrsid9731761 a short time like a second. I k}{ \b\insrsid6450459\charrsid9731761 n}{\b\insrsid9655446\charrsid9731761 ew AI}{\b\insrsid13180830\charrsid9731761 before. It is Katunda I knew. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\insrsid13381123\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 In her evidence in chief Pw2 stated as follows; -}{\insrsid1403585\charrsid9731761 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri1253\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin1253\lin720\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\insrsid1403585\charrsid9731761 A1 on 30}{\b\super\insrsid1403585\charrsid9731761 th}{\b\insrsid1403585\charrsid9731761 May 1999 at 1 a.m came to our home. I saw AI in front of my bed. I was with my husband at the time. He had a torch. He had a torch which he flashed to where we lay. The torch was flushed at us for about 5 minutes. AI was about one}{ \insrsid1403585\charrsid9731761 }{\b\insrsid1403585\charrsid9731761 metre from where the bed was when he flushed the torch. Next thing he did is to cut us. He cut me with a panga. I saw him and he was holding the torch. He cut me. He cut me on the upper arm. He also cut my husband. He cut my husband on the wrist on the right hand. He took the radio cassette. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\insrsid9655446\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid4272254\charrsid9731761 The learned trial judge list}{\insrsid9655446\charrsid9731761 ened to the witnesses\rquote testimonies}{\insrsid4272254\charrsid9731761 observed their demeanors in court}{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 and}{ \insrsid4272254\charrsid9731761 came to the conclusion that they were honest witnesses.}{\insrsid11216160\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid4272254\charrsid9731761 We are unable to fault him on his conclusion in view of the evidence on record above quoted. \par \par On sentence we have listen to the submissions of both counsel. \par The appellant severely cut the victims in order to }{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 rob}{\insrsid4272254\charrsid9731761 them of a mere radio cassette. According to the evidence of Dr. Victor Velenzuela}{\insrsid12022337\charrsid9731761 }{ \insrsid4272254\charrsid9731761 PW.5, PW1 had a deep cut wound which almost cut off the right hand. The two bones of the right }{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 one}{\insrsid4272254\charrsid9731761 were almost severely}{ \insrsid13007189\charrsid9731761 severed. }{\insrsid6313070\charrsid9731761 Medically}{\insrsid13007189\charrsid9731761 it was near amputation.}{\insrsid4272254\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid13007189\charrsid9731761 \par We appreciate that the appellant is a young man but should have used his youthful energy to engage in lawful activities. \par \par In our view he deserves }{\insrsid6313070\charrsid9731761 no mercy. A long custodial sentence as suggested by the learned Assistant DPP is appropriate.}{\insrsid13007189\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid10560429\charrsid9731761 \par }{\insrsid13007189\charrsid9731761 In the result, we up hold the conviction. We set aside the sentence of death and substitute it with one of life imprisonment. \par \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\insrsid13007189\charrsid9731761 Dated at Kampala this}{\insrsid13139087\charrsid9731761 6}{\super\insrsid13139087\charrsid9731761 th}{ \insrsid13139087\charrsid9731761 day of August }{\insrsid13007189\charrsid9731761 2009. \par \par }{\b\insrsid6098290\charrsid9731761 C. N. B }{\b\caps\insrsid6098290\charrsid9731761 Kitumba}{\b\caps\insrsid13007189\charrsid9731761 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid6098290\charrsid9731761 JUSTICE COURT OF APPEAL \par \par }{\b\insrsid1919742\charrsid9731761 \par }{\b\insrsid6098290\charrsid9731761 S. B. K. KAVUMA \par }{\b\ul\insrsid6098290\charrsid9731761 JUSTICE COURT OF APPEAL \par }{\b\insrsid6098290\charrsid9731761 \par A. S. NSHIMYE \par }{\b\ul\insrsid6098290\charrsid9731761 JUSTICE COURT OF APPEAL \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\insrsid13007189\charrsid9731761 \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9731761 {\b\insrsid5254299\charrsid9731761 \par }}