Senyondo Umar v Uganda (Criminal Appeal 267 of 2002) [2009] UGCA 4 (22 March 2009)

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{\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid265294\rsid931139\rsid2245404\rsid3412401\rsid4983782\rsid5794700\rsid6622038\rsid6891688\rsid7369135\rsid8523558\rsid9713131\rsid10028770\rsid10106251\rsid10302734\rsid10487678\rsid11147463 \rsid12009580\rsid13264960\rsid13915122\rsid13982647\rsid14314829\rsid15363640\rsid16003955\rsid16460476\rsid16547612\rsid16607428}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\author aejon}{\operator jchemeri} {\creatim\yr2009\mo3\dy25\hr14\min15}{\revtim\yr2009\mo3\dy25\hr14\min15}{\printim\yr2009\mo3\dy16\hr12\min4}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages6}{\nofwords1593}{\nofchars9083}{\nofcharsws10655}{\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\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct\asianbrkrule \rsidroot11147463\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\insrsid6891688 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\insrsid6891688 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\insrsid6891688 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\insrsid6891688 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \psz9\linemod5\linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sectrsid12009580\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4153\tqr\tx8306\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7369135 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs17\insrsid12009580 PAGE }}{\fldrslt { \cs17\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid16003955 1}}}{\cs17\insrsid12009580 \par }\pard \s16\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4153\tqr\tx8306\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid12009580 \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\pararsid16003955 \fs24\lang2057\langfe2057\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp2057 {\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par \par \par IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA \par \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 \par CORAM:\tab HON. JUSTICE S. G. ENGWAU, JA \par \tab \tab HON. JUSTICE A. TWINOMUJUNI, JA \par \tab \tab HON. JUSTICE S. B. K. KAVUMA, JA \par \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\ul\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.267 OF 2002 \par \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid12009580\charrsid16003955 SSENYONDO UMAR\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85}{\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 \'85\'85\'85\'85 .. APPELLANT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 V E R S U S \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 UGANDA}{\b\insrsid12009580\charrsid16003955 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85}{\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85.. RESPONDENT \par \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 [Appeal from the judgment of }{\b\insrsid6622038\charrsid16003955 \par }{\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 the High Court at Masaka (Akiiki-Kiiza, J) }{\b\insrsid6622038\charrsid16003955 \par }{\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 on 4}{\b\super\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 th}{\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 April}{\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 2000 in C. S. C. No.18 of 1999] \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\ul\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 JUDGMENT OF THE COURT: \par \par }{\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 This is an appeal against the conviction and sentence passed by the High Court sitting at Masaka in which the appellant was convicted of the offence of defilement c/s 123(1) [}{\insrsid6622038\charrsid16003955 No}{ \insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 w}{\insrsid6622038\charrsid16003955 .s.129(1)] of the Penal Code A}{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 ct and was sentenced to life i}{\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 mprisonment. \par \par }{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 The brief facts of the case were}{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 that on 12}{\super\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 th}{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 July 1997 at Rukono village in}{ \insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 Masaka District, Nakachwa Scolastica le}{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 ft a 7 months girl child to the care of her son Sekyanzi. }{\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 As soon as she left, the appellant sent away Sekyanzi to collect for him a herb for flavouring tea called }{\b\ul\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 Mujaaja.}{\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 The appellant then took the child to his house and defiled her. PW1 Semanda }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Charles}{\insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 who happened to be returning home to check on the child found the appellant in action red handed and reported to his mother, PW2, the mother of the victim. The matter was subsequently reported to the authorities who }{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 arrested the appellant and indicted him with the offence. At the trial he pleaded grudges with the mother of the victim and also alibi. Both were rejected and appellant was convicted and sentenced as aforesaid, hence this appeal.}{ \insrsid11147463\charrsid16003955 \par }{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 \par T}{\insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 he Memorandum of A}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 ppeal raises one ground of appeal, namely that:- \par \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 \'93The learned trial judge erred in law and fact when he convicted the appellant on the basis }{ \b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 of uncorroborated}{\b\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 unsworn }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 evidence}{\b\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 of a single eye witness of a child of tender years.\'94 \par \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 At the hearing of the appeal, the appellant was represented by Mr. Andrew }{ \insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 Tiishekwa}{\insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 while Ms Betty A}{\insrsid8523558\charrsid16003955 gola, a Senior State Attorney at}{\insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 the D}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 irectorate of Public }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Prosecution}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 , represented the respondent. Mr. }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Tiishekwa}{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 ,}{ \insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 arguing the one ground of appeal}{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 ,}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 submitted that the evidenc e on record did not prove the indictment against the appellant. He submitted that the only evidence on which the conviction was based was that of the 12 year old }{\insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 Sema}{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 n}{ \insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 da}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 Charles who testified that he found the appellant defiling the victim. Though it was not disputed that the victim was defiled, the evidence of }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Semanda}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 (PW1) on who did it}{\insrsid8523558\charrsid16003955 ,}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 was never corroborated. Yet the evidence itself was given not on oath and being that of a single witness it was unsafe to base a conviction on it. He relied on the authority of }{\b\ul\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 Patrick }{ \b\ul\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Akol}{\b\ul\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 }{\b\ul\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 vs.}{\b\ul\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 Uganda}{\b\ul\insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 Criminal A}{ \b\ul\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 ppeal No.23 of 1992 (S. C.). }{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 He requested us to allow the appeal on that ground alone. \par \par Ms Betty }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Agola}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 supported the conviction and }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 sentence}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 . She submitted that there was sufficient evidence to justify }{\insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 t}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 he conv iction. She argued that the evidence of PW1 was corroborated by the evidence of PW2 (the mother of the victim) who examined the baby shortly after it was defiled and she found a lot of blood in her vagina. She stated }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 further}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 that medical evidence (PW4) also }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 corroborated}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 the evidence of PW1. Ms Agola submitted that the evidence of PW1 itself was }{ \insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 very}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 strong and credible and the court would be }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 justified}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 in }{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 convicti}{ \insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 n}{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 g}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 relying on that evidence alone. In view of }{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 the }{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 finding by the trial judge }{\insrsid8523558\charrsid16003955 t}{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 hat}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 the prosecution witnesses were credible, }{\insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 t}{\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 he trial judge was justified to convict. \par }{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 \par We have }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 carefully}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 studied and re-evaluated all the evidence on record. We are satisfied that the finding by the trial judge that the victim in this case was a young }{ \insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 girl}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 aged only 7 months and that she was }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 defiled}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 is justified. The evidence of PW1, PW2 and PW4 is very clear on that. What has given us a lot of concern is the finding by the learned trial judge that it was the appellant who defiled the victim. This finding was based on the sole unsworn evidence of }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Semanda}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Charles}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 (PW1) who was himself a child of tender years. He was allowed to give unswron testimony }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 after}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 a voire dire in which the judge found that he did not understand the }{ \insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 meaning}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 of an oath. He is the only one who }{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 testified to the participation }{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 o}{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 f }{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 the appellant }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 in this}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 sordid}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 crime of defilement. He found corroboration of that evide}{\insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 nce in the evidence of PW2, his}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 mother and PW3 his father. With }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 respect}{ \insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 , none of the two saw the appellant defile the victim. All they know about the crime was what PW1 told them. PW2 and PW3 did not see the appellant that afternoon. So}{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 ,}{ \insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 we have evidence of a single witness who is a child of tender year}{\insrsid8523558\charrsid16003955 s}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 and who gave unsworn testimony. There is no corroborative evidence }{ \insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 at all. This }{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 is how the learned trial judge }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 handled}{\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 the issue:- \par \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 \'93}{\b\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 I am aware that PW1 is a child of tender years and he is the sole eye witness. I warned myself as I did to the gentlemen assessors of the danger of convicting on his evidence without corroboration. (See the case of }{ \b\ul\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 Muhirwe }{\b\ul\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Simon}{\b\ul\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 vs. Uganda S. C. U. Criminal Appl. No.38/92).}{\b\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 As was held by the Supreme Court in the case of: }{\b\ul\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 Patrick Akol vs. Uganda, S. C. U. Criminal Appl. No.23/92.}{\b\ul\insrsid13982647\charrsid16003955 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 \par }\pard \qj \li1440\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\i\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 The unsworn testimony of a child of tender years is risky to act upon, without corroboration. \rquote \par }{\b\i\insrsid10028770\charrsid16003955 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 It is for the court to weight the reliability of the evidence of the particular unsworn witness. \par \par On our facts, I can find corroboration for the testimony of PW2 who received the report from PW1 about what he had seen the accused do to the little girl. Later, the same information was framed on to PW3 which eventually led to the rest of the accused.

\par \par Secondly, the accused raised a defence of alibi }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 in that}{\b\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 he was visiting a relative at the time of defilement. Of course under our law, he assumes }{ \b\insrsid10487678\charrsid16003955 n}{\b\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 o legal duty to prove it, but the burden is on the prosecution to disprove it by adducing }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 cogent}{\b\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 evidence }{\b\ul\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 (Sekitoleko }{\b\ul\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 vs.}{\b\ul\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 Uganda [1967] E. A 531. }{\b\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 It was however, recently held by the supreme Court of Uganda that, the accused should raise an alibi as early as possible so as to make it genuine and secondly to enable the prosecution to inquire into it. (See the }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 cases}{\b\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 of }{\b\ul\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 Kibale Ismar }{\b\ul\insrsid10487678\charrsid16003955 v}{\b\ul\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 s Uganda S. C. U., Crim. Appl. No. 1/98, }{\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 and }{\b\ul\insrsid10487678\charrsid16003955 Festo Androa Asenua and Anor. v}{\b\ul\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 s. Uganda }{\b\ul\insrsid10487678\charrsid16003955 S. C. U. }{\b\ul\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 Crim. Appl. No. 1/98 }{ \b\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 (both unreported).}{\b\insrsid2245404\charrsid16003955 \par }{\b\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 \par In the latter case, one of the accused raised an alibi, belatedly at the trial, during re-examination. The court held }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 that}{\b\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 this reduced its value. In the instant case, the accused raised the alibi during }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 cross}{\b\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 examination, in the }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 circumstances}{ \b\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 , I agree with the }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Mr}{\b\insrsid10487678\charrsid16003955 . Ojok, the learned State A}{\b\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 ttorney, that this was rather belatedly and an afterthought, besides has a diminished value. \par \par In any case as I have found PW1 a more credible witness }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 than}{\b\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 the accused, I dismiss his claims of being away from the scene as lies and hold that, he was at the scene of the crime at the material time of committing this offence. The prosecution }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 has}{\b\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 therefore}{\b\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 succeeded in destroying his alibi as false.\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 \par }{\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 As we have observed above}{\insrsid8523558\charrsid16003955 ,}{\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 we do not agree with the learned trial judge that the evidence of PW2 }{\insrsid10487678\charrsid16003955 and}{ \insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 PW3 can corroborate the }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 evidence}{\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 of their son, PW1, simply because the parents did not see the appellant defile their daughter. Beyond what they were told by their son, they know nothing about it. Furthermore, we do not think }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 that}{ \insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 it is correct to hold that because you find the alibi of the appellant false, therefore the finding corroborates the evidence of PW1 as to the identity of the defiler. Therefore, the learned trial judge misdirected himself when he held that the evidence of PW1 was sufficiently corroborated. What remains is whether the trial judge was at liberty to warn himself and the assessors of the risk of convicting on the unsworn and }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 uncorroborated}{ \insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 evidence of a single witness of a child of tender year}{\insrsid8523558\charrsid16003955 s}{\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 and to convict if he was convinced that the witness was }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 truthful}{\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 .}{\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 }{\insrsid5794700\charrsid16003955 \par }{\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 \par The law on this matter is contained in the case cited by learned }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 counsel}{\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 for the appellant; }{\b\ul\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 Patrick }{\b\ul\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Akol}{\b\ul\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 vs. Uganda}{\b\ul\insrsid10487678\charrsid16003955 , Criminal A}{\b\ul\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 ppeal No.123 of 1992. \par \par }{\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 In that }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 decision}{\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 , the Supreme Court of Uganda cited with the approval the opinion of Lord Goddard in the case of }{ \b\ul\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 R vs. Campbell (1956) 2 All. E. R. 272}{\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 in which he summed up the }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 law}{\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 at page 276 as follows:- \par \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 \'93To sum up,}{\b\insrsid13264960\charrsid16003955 the unsworn evidence of a child must be corroborated by sworn evidence; if then the only evidence implicating the accused is that of unsworn children the judge must stop the case. It makes no difference whether the }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 child\rquote s}{\b\insrsid13264960\charrsid16003955 evidence relates to an }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 assault}{\b\insrsid13264960\charrsid16003955 on him or herself or to any other charge, for example, where an uns worn child says that he saw the accused person steal}{\b\insrsid931139\charrsid16003955 an article. The sworn evidence of a child need not as a matter of law be corroborated, but a jury should be warned not }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 that}{ \b\insrsid931139\charrsid16003955 they must find corroboration but that there is a risk in acting on the uncorro borated evidence of young boys or girls though they may do so if convinced the witness is telling the truth, and this warning should also be given where a young boy or girl is called t}{\b\insrsid8523558\charrsid16003955 o corroborate evidence either of}{ \b\insrsid931139\charrsid16003955 another child, sworn or unsworn, or of an adult. The evidence of an unsworn child can amount to corroboration of sworn evidence though a particularly careful }{\b\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 warning}{ \b\insrsid931139\charrsid16003955 should in that case be given.\'94}{\b\insrsid14314829\charrsid16003955 \par }{\b\insrsid931139\charrsid16003955 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\insrsid931139\charrsid16003955 The holding in this}{\insrsid12009580\charrsid16003955 case is that no amount of self}{ \insrsid931139\charrsid16003955 warning or warning of the assessor can justify convicting an accused on the unsworn evidence of }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 a single}{\insrsid931139\charrsid16003955 identifying witness of a child of tender years. In Uganda the law is contained in section 40(3) of the Trial on Indictments Act which states:- \par \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\b\insrsid931139\charrsid16003955 \'9340(3) \par Where in any proceedings any child of tender years called as a witness does not in the opinion of the court, understand the nature of an oath, his or her evidence}{\b\insrsid10302734\charrsid16003955 may be received, though }{ \b\insrsid8523558\charrsid16003955 not}{\b\insrsid10302734\charrsid16003955 given upon oath, if, in the opinion of the court, he or she is possessed of sufficient intelligence to justif y the reception of the evidence and understands the duly of speaking the truth; }{\b\ul\insrsid10302734\charrsid16003955 but where evidence admitted by virtue of this subsection is given on behalf of the prosecution, the accused shall not be liable to conviction unless the evidence is }{\b\ul\insrsid10106251\charrsid16003955 corroborate d by some other material evidence in support }{\b\ul\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 thereof}{\b\ul\insrsid10106251\charrsid16003955 implicating him or her.\'94 }{\insrsid10106251\charrsid16003955 [Emphasis supplied]}{\insrsid931139\charrsid16003955

\par }{\insrsid10106251\charrsid16003955 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\insrsid10106251\charrsid16003955 In our view, the unsworn evidence of PW1 who was the sole identifying witness against the appellant was never corroborated. Therefore the learned trial judge was wrong to base a conviction on it. This appeal therefore succeeds, and it is her}{ \insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 e}{\insrsid10106251\charrsid16003955 by allowed. The conviction }{\insrsid16607428\charrsid16003955 is quashed and the sentence of life i}{\insrsid10106251\charrsid16003955 mprisonment is set aside. The appellant is set free unless held on other lawful charges. \par }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 Dated at Kampala}{\insrsid12009580\charrsid16003955 this }{\insrsid13915122\charrsid16003955 23}{ \super\insrsid13915122\charrsid16003955 rd}{\insrsid13915122\charrsid16003955 }{\insrsid12009580\charrsid16003955 day of }{\insrsid13915122\charrsid16003955 March }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 2009. \par Hon. Justice S. G. Engwau \par }{\b\ul\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 JUSTICE OF APPEAL. \par }{\insrsid13915122\charrsid16003955 \par }{\insrsid12009580\charrsid16003955 Hon. Justice Amos T}{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 winomjuni \par }{\b\ul\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 JUSTICE OF APPEAL. \par }{\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 \par Hon. Justice S. B. K. Kavuma \par }{\b\ul\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 JUSTICE OF APPEAL. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\insrsid16547612\charrsid16003955 \par \par \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16003955 {\insrsid16460476\charrsid16003955 \par }}