Siras Kiiza alias Tumuramye & Anor v Uganda (Civil Appeal No. 130 of 2003) [2009] UGCA 28 (6 August 2009)

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kgalenda}{\creatim\yr2009\mo8\dy7\hr14\min29}{\revtim\yr2009\mo8\dy7\hr14\min29}{\printim\yr2009\mo7\dy13\hr9\min54}{\version2}{\edmins1}{\nofpages10}{\nofwords2770}{\nofchars15790}{\*\company Court of Appeal}{\nofcharsws18523}{\vern24689}} \margl1987\margr1080\margt1620 \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1987\dgvorigin1620\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct\asianbrkrule \rsidroot7556212\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6703730 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 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\li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid7960564 \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\pararsid2506645 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\b\insrsid13270866\charrsid2506645 \par }{\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 \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\pararsid2506645 {\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 CORAM:\tab }{\b\insrsid8543148\charrsid2506645 \tab }{\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 HON. JUSTICE S. G. ENGWAU, JA. \par \tab \tab }{\b\insrsid8543148\charrsid2506645 \tab }{\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 HON. JUSTICE C. N. B KITUMBA, JA. \par \tab \tab }{\b\insrsid8543148\charrsid2506645 \tab }{\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 HON. JUSTICE A. S NSHIMYE, JA. \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\ul\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 CRIMINAL APPEAL No.130 OF 2003 \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 1.\tab SIRASI KIZZA alias TUMURAMYE\tab }{\b\insrsid8543148\charrsid2506645 \tab }{ \b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 ] \par }{\b\insrsid8543148\charrsid2506645 \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab \tab ::::::::}{\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 :::::::::::: APPELLANTS \par 2.\tab NUWAMANYA FERDINAND\tab \tab \tab ] \par }{\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 VERSUS \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 UGANDA}{\b\insrsid8543148\charrsid2506645 \tab \tab \tab \tab :::::::::}{ \b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 ::::::::::::\tab RESPONDENT \par }{\b\insrsid8543148\charrsid2506645 \par }{\b\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\ul\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 JUDGEMENT OF THE COURT \par }{\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 Sirasi Kizza alias}{\insrsid7275954\charrsid2506645 Tumuramye, the first appellant and Nuwamanya Ferdinand, the second appellant, were jointly indicted for murder contrary to sections 188 and}{\insrsid13189092\charrsid2506645 189}{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 of the Penal Code Act. They were convicted and sentence}{\insrsid13189092\charrsid2506645 d}{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 to death.}{\insrsid7556212\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 \par The prosecution case as accepted by the learned trial judge is as follows: - The}{\insrsid5701705\charrsid2506645 two appellants were brothers. }{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 The first appellant carried on the business of roasting meat together with}{ \insrsid468516\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid13189092\charrsid2506645 one }{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 Mujuni Remigio, who is now deceased}{\insrsid7622045\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid13189092\charrsid2506645 at the bar of one Twongyeirwe Jo}{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 y (PW1) in Ishaka Town, Bushenyi District. }{\insrsid3500239\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 On the night of 31}{\super\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 st}{\insrsid7622045\charrsid2506645 November 2000, t}{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 he }{\insrsid14237020\charrsid2506645 second appellant}{ \insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 went to the bar }{\insrsid7622045\charrsid2506645 and }{\insrsid14237020\charrsid2506645 informed the first appellant that their goat was sick.}{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid14237020\charrsid2506645 Both appellants }{\insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 requested the deceased to go with}{\insrsid6503363\charrsid2506645 th}{\insrsid14237020\charrsid2506645 em to the village to slaughter the}{\insrsid6503363\charrsid2506645 sick goat. The deceased obliged but on the way the first appellant picked an axe}{\insrsid10224434\charrsid2506645 from a nearby bush and hit the deceased on the head}{\insrsid7622045\charrsid2506645 with it}{\insrsid10224434\charrsid2506645 , whereby he fell down. The first appellant continued}{\insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 beating the deceased. In the meantime, the second appellant chased way one Namanya Pision, PW2 and }{\insrsid7622045\charrsid2506645 another person }{ \insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 who were walking along the same route. The deceased }{\insrsid3700432\charrsid2506645 apparently }{\insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 died that very nigh}{\insrsid3700432\charrsid2506645 t}{\insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 at the spot as a result of injuries that were inflicted upon him. The two appellants took his body to their father\rquote s }{\insrsid3540912\charrsid2506645 home and buried it there in a sh}{\insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 allow grave. On the following morning the first appellant went to PW2\rquote s home and warned him not to tell any one what he had witnessed in the night, }{\insrsid7622045\charrsid2506645 or else}{\insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 he would kill him.}{ \insrsid2977716\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 \par When PW1 realised that the deceased was missing, she reported the matter at Ishaka Police Station and advertised his disappearance on Radio West. }{\insrsid8725721\charrsid2506645 She also found that her radi o was missing from her bar. She reported that to the police.}{\insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 On information received No.22675 D/SGT Katu}{\insrsid4671881\charrsid2506645 ko}{\insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 re}{\insrsid4671881\charrsid2506645 ,}{ \insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 PW5 learnt that}{\insrsid15796540\charrsid2506645 the first appellant had murdered the deceased and had a stolen radio in his possession. He went to the home of the appellants\rquote f ather for investigations. He found a grave covered by}{\insrsid1395463\charrsid2506645 leaves and on further search, he found a decomposing human body. On}{\insrsid11544347\charrsid2506645 the body there was a green T-}{ \insrsid1395463\charrsid2506645 Shirt, grey pair of trousers and black belt. He arrested the second appellant who admitted that he}{\insrsid3954580\charrsid2506645 and the first appellant had killed the deceased with an axe. He took the witness to the place near the grave where they had hidden the axe. PW5 recovered the axe and took it as an exhibit. }{\insrsid5116552\charrsid2506645 The second appellant}{ \insrsid3954580\charrsid2506645 and his mother were arrested and taken to Isha}{\insrsid10291342\charrsid2506645 ka Police Station together with the decomposing body. PW1 identified the body as that of the deceased from the}{ \insrsid12207312\charrsid2506645 gap in the teeth and the clothes he was wearing on the day he }{\insrsid10252486\charrsid2506645 disappeared}{\insrsid14485911\charrsid2506645 .}{\insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid14485911\charrsid2506645 A postmortem examination on the body of the deceased revealed that the cause of death was open head injury. \par \par The second appellant made a charge and caution statement to Inspector Tind}{\insrsid4671881\charrsid2506645 igaruk}{\insrsid14485911\charrsid2506645 ayo, PW4, in which he implicated himself and his co-accused. The statement was admitted in evidence at the trial without objection from counsel who represented the second appellant. \par }{\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 In their defences both appellants }{\insrsid14682922\charrsid2506645 totally }{\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 denied the offence.}{\insrsid14485911\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid5581716\charrsid2506645 The first appellant testified that on 31}{\super\insrsid5581716\charrsid2506645 st}{\insrsid5581716\charrsid2506645 November, he left the deceased at the bar. He went home alone and did not see the second appellant on t hat day. The second appellant testified that he did not know the deceased and how he met his death.}{\insrsid14682922\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid3096240\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 The learned trial judge believed the prosecution case}{\insrsid5116552\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 rejected their defences, convicted them and sentence}{\insrsid1067569\charrsid2506645 d}{ \insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 them to suffer death. \par Dissatisfied with the judge}{\insrsid3564938\charrsid2506645 ment of the learned trial judge}{\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 they have filed their join}{\insrsid934220\charrsid2506645 t}{\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 memorandum of appeal in this Court on the following grounds: - \par }\pard \qj \fi-540\li1260\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1260\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\i\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 \'93 1. That the learned trial judge erred in law and fact when he admitted and relied on the charge and caution statement of A2 to convict the appellants. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\i\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\i\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\langfenp1033\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li1080\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx1080\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1080\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\i\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 That the learned trial judge erred in law and fact when he failed to adequately evaluate the evidence adduced at the trial and henc}{\b\i\insrsid83290\charrsid2506645 e reached an erroneous decision.}{\b\i\insrsid13727163\charrsid2506645 \'94}{ \b\i\insrsid3766719\charrsid2506645 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\insrsid83290\charrsid2506645 \par They prayed court to allow the appeal quash the conviction and set aside the sentence. In the alternative and in mitigation}{\insrsid1067569\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid83290\charrsid2506645 they prayed court in case the conviction is upheld to vary the sentence and substitute it with an appropriate one as the court would determine}{\insrsid6059912\charrsid2506645 . \par \par }{\insrsid3564938\charrsid2506645 Mr. Henry Ku}{\insrsid6059912\charrsid2506645 nya}{\insrsid3564938\charrsid2506645 , learned counsel}{\insrsid6059912\charrsid2506645 for the appellants}{\insrsid3564938\charrsid2506645 ,}{ \insrsid6059912\charrsid2506645 argued both grounds of appeal joint}{\insrsid1861766\charrsid2506645 ly. Mr. Andrew Odit}{\insrsid3564938\charrsid2506645 , learned P}{\insrsid6059912\charrsid2506645 rincipal }{\insrsid3564938\charrsid2506645 S}{ \insrsid6059912\charrsid2506645 tate }{\insrsid3564938\charrsid2506645 A}{\insrsid6059912\charrsid2506645 ttorney}{\insrsid3564938\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid6059912\charrsid2506645 made his reply in the same manner. In this judgement, we shall handle ground I first, followed by ground 2. \par \par }{\insrsid3306153\charrsid2506645 On ground one c}{\insrsid6059912\charrsid2506645 ounsel for the appella}{\insrsid10555726\charrsid2506645 nt complained that the second appellant\rquote s charge and caution statement was not voluntarily made. The second appellant had been in police custody since 7}{\super\insrsid10555726\charrsid2506645 th}{\insrsid10555726\charrsid2506645 June and the statement was recorded on 11/6/2001. \par The medical examination of the second appellant on police form 24 showed that the second appellant had wounds on his body.}{\insrsid5337557\charrsid2506645 \par According to counsel, the second appellant must have been tortured to make the confession. \par }{\insrsid5116552\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid5337557\charrsid2506645 Counsel argued further that the charge and caution statement was improperly admitted in evidence by the l earned trial judge as he did not inquire from the second appellant whether he objected or not to its admissibility. In support of his submission, he relied on the authority of }{\b\insrsid5337557\charrsid2506645 Sewankambo Francis and 2 Others Vs Uganda} {\b\insrsid5725975\charrsid2506645 ,}{\b\insrsid13764759\charrsid2506645 }{\b\insrsid1070807\charrsid2506645 Appeal No.33 of 2001.}{\b\insrsid83290\charrsid2506645 }{\b\insrsid9582637\charrsid2506645 S. C.}{\b\insrsid83290\charrsid2506645 \par }{\b\insrsid5725975\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid7544768\charrsid2506645 The Prin cipal State Attorney did not agree. He submitted that the confession by the second appellant was voluntarily made. He argued that the medical examination report contained an explanation how the second appellant had sustained the injuries and}{ \insrsid14167944\charrsid2506645 that they were}{\insrsid3306153\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid14167944\charrsid2506645 therefore}{\insrsid3306153\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid14167944\charrsid2506645 not due to torture. He further submitted that counsel for the second appellant told court that he had no objection to the charge and caution statement being admitted in evidence}{\insrsid3306153\charrsid2506645 . }{\insrsid5117955\charrsid2506645 S}{ \insrsid14167944\charrsid2506645 ince the second appellant was represented, the judge had no duty to make a}{\insrsid6978291\charrsid2506645 ny}{\insrsid14167944\charrsid2506645 further inquiry from the second appellant whether }{ \insrsid6978291\charrsid2506645 he }{\insrsid14167944\charrsid2506645 objected to the admissibility of charge and caution statement or }{\insrsid9923019\charrsid2506645 not.}{\insrsid7544768\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid1070807\charrsid2506645 \par We have perused the police form 24 on which }{\insrsid620211\charrsid2506645 t}{\insrsid1070807\charrsid2506645 he examination of the second appellant is}{\insrsid2258567\charrsid2506645 recorded. }{\insrsid398954\charrsid2506645 According the supe rficial examination report by the police the explanation }{\insrsid16187690\charrsid2506645 is }{\insrsid398954\charrsid2506645 given for the injuries .i.e. scars on the head and knees is }{\b\i\insrsid398954\charrsid2506645 \'93 He says got them while by falling down when he is dr}{\b\i\insrsid1070807\charrsid2506645 u}{\b\i\insrsid398954\charrsid2506645 nk}{\b\i\insrsid13524054\charrsid2506645 . F}{\b\i\insrsid398954\charrsid2506645 resh injury on the head as a result of assault case Vide SD/53/2/6/001.}{\b\i\insrsid14625034\charrsid2506645 \'94}{\b\i\insrsid398954\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid398954\charrsid2506645 The medical officer recorded that the second appellant had three}{\insrsid3150159\charrsid2506645 heel}{\insrsid8545271\charrsid2506645 ing wounds on the right elbow which were 5cm x 2 cm. There}{ \insrsid3150159\charrsid2506645 was a healing wound on the scalp, on }{\insrsid14025029\charrsid2506645 the left forearm and on the arm}{\insrsid3150159\charrsid2506645 pit.}{\insrsid398954\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid3150159\charrsid2506645 The doctor recoded the appellant}{\insrsid4987723\charrsid2506645 \rquote s}{\insrsid3150159\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid4987723\charrsid2506645 explanation as follows:}{\insrsid3150159\charrsid2506645 \par }{\b\i\insrsid4987723\charrsid2506645 \'93He tells me they occurred before his arrest. He was in the bar when someone pushed him and he fell on the ground.\'94}{\b\i\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 This explanation tallies with one}{\insrsid8272806\charrsid2506645 of the police.}{\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid8272806\charrsid2506645 It appears to us}{\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 that the appellant got the injuries}{\insrsid14183993\charrsid2506645 on 2/6/2001 before his arrest i}{\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 n }{\insrsid14183993\charrsid2506645 a}{\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 n assault case recorded as SD 53/2/6/2001.

\par }{\insrsid6822036\charrsid2506645 The above notwithstanding}{\insrsid4987723\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid6822036\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid4987723\charrsid2506645 we are not comfortable with the state of affairs }{\insrsid6822036\charrsid2506645 regarding the }{\insrsid4987723\charrsid2506645 charge and caution statement. }{\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 In the case of }{\b\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 No. RA 78064 CPL Wasswa and Another Vs Uganda, Criminal Appeals No.48 and 49 of 1999 S. C.} {\b\insrsid13258265\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid13258265\charrsid2506645 t}{\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 he Supreme Court disapproved of unexplained }{\insrsid13258265\charrsid2506645 delay }{\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 by the police to record a charge and caution statement from the appellant who had admitted the offence and was already in custody. \par In }{\insrsid14175241\charrsid2506645 that }{\insrsid5056458\charrsid2506645 case the delay was for two days as the appellant was arrested on 7/12/1993 and the statement was recorded on 9/12/1993. \par }{\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 In the appeal before us the second appellant was arrested on 7}{\super\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 th}{\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 June 2001. According to the evidence of the arresting officer at that time}{ \insrsid6912704\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid12714418\charrsid2506645 he}{\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 admitted participation in the offence and showed him the axe they had used. However}{ \insrsid11891045\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 the charge and caution statement was not recorded until 11}{\super\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 th}{\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 June 2001. This was a delay of five day}{ \insrsid11891045\charrsid2506645 s}{\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 for which no explanation is given.}{\insrsid12714418\charrsid2506645 Though this does not make the state}{\insrsid2437575\charrsid2506645 ment}{\insrsid12714418\charrsid2506645 inadmissible per se it is not quite correct.}{\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid12714418\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 The submission by the appellant\rquote s counsel that the trial judge was duty bound to inquire from the second appellant whether he accepted the charge and caution statement being admitted in evidence is correct. That is the current state of the law on admissibility in evidence of a charge and caution statement which amounts to a confession. \par \par The Supreme Court has held in a number of authorities quoted in }{\b\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 Sewankambo Francis and 2 Others Vs Uganda}{\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 (supra) that where the accused has pleaded not guilty}{ \insrsid14501677\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 a confession statement should not be admitted in evidence simply }{\insrsid4480314\charrsid2506645 because }{\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 his counsel has not object}{ \insrsid8354183\charrsid2506645 ed}{\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 to the same. The trial court is duty bound to hold a trial within}{\insrsid11539510\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid8354183\charrsid2506645 a }{\insrsid11539510\charrsid2506645 trial to determine its admis}{\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 s}{\insrsid11539510\charrsid2506645 i}{\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 bility. In case his counsel does not object to the statement\rquote s admissibility}{\insrsid15292796\charrsid2506645 , }{\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 the judge is duty bound to inquire from the accused whether he too does not object}{\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 and understands the consequences of its receiption}{\insrsid14697147\charrsid2506645 .}{ \insrsid11732027\charrsid2506645 This is so because of the }{\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 requirement of a fair trial }{\insrsid15802629\charrsid2506645 especially }{\insrsid8143949\charrsid2506645 the }{\insrsid11732027\charrsid2506645 doctrine of presumption of innocence which is enshrined in}{\insrsid7603541\charrsid2506645 Article 28 (3) (a) of the Constitution. \par \par In the appeal before court only one witness was called by the prosecution during the trial with}{\insrsid14025029\charrsid2506645 in}{\insrsid7603541\charrsid2506645 a trial. After his evidence in chief and the cross examination his }{ \insrsid11940044\charrsid2506645 counsel}{\insrsid7603541\charrsid2506645 stated \endash \par \tab }{\b\i\insrsid7603541\charrsid2506645 \'93I have no objection to the statement being submitted.\'94 \par }{\insrsid7603541\charrsid2506645 After that the Runyankole statement was admitted in evidence as exhibit P. VI and }{\insrsid11940044\charrsid2506645 its}{\insrsid7603541\charrsid2506645 English translation as exhibit PV. \par The argument by the respondent }{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 counsel}{\insrsid7603541\charrsid2506645 that the second}{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 appellant admitted the statement because he did not refer to it in his defence is not at }{ \insrsid11940044\charrsid2506645 all }{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 tenable. In the case of }{\b\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 Kawoya Joseph Vs Uganda Crimi}{\b\insrsid2169849\charrsid2506645 nal Appeal No. 50 of 1999 (SCU), }{ \insrsid2169849\charrsid2506645 a}{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 confession statement was admitted in evidence because the appellant}{\insrsid8136139\charrsid2506645 \rquote }{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 s counsel did not object to i t. In his defence the appellant just kept quiet}{\insrsid4473673\charrsid2506645 because as he put it }{\b\i\insrsid4473673\charrsid2506645 \'93my lawyer is bent on my losing the case. I will not say anything}{\b\i\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 .}{ \b\i\insrsid4473673\charrsid2506645 \'94}{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 He was convicted on the strength of the confession. \par }{\insrsid2169849\charrsid2506645 This C}{\insrsid6963787\charrsid2506645 ourt upheld the conviction by the High Court but o}{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 n second appeal}{\insrsid2169849\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 the Supreme Court, held that the confession was wrongly admitted in evidence.}{\insrsid4473673\charrsid2506645 The trial was held to be a mistrial.}{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 \par With due respect}{\insrsid2169849\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 the learned trial judge wrongly admitted in evidence the charge and caution statement by the second appellant. He }{\insrsid4473673\charrsid2506645 was, therefore, wrong to base the}{\insrsid2169849\charrsid2506645 appellant}{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 s}{\insrsid2169849\charrsid2506645 \rquote }{\insrsid15942652\charrsid2506645 conviction on it. \par \par Ground 1, therefore, succeeds. \par \par }{\insrsid6496677\charrsid2506645 We now turn to ground 2, in which the complaint by appellants\rquote counsel is that the learned trial judge did not evaluate the evidence properly. \par Appellant\rquote s counsel contended that }{\insrsid11761375\charrsid2506645 a part from the charge and caution}{\insrsid6496677\charrsid2506645 statement}{\insrsid14501677\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid6496677\charrsid2506645 there was no other evidence to sustain the conviction. He submitted that the body which was discovered six months}{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 after the disappearance of the deceased was not proved to be his}{\insrsid3106858\charrsid2506645 ,}{ \insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 as it was not identified by an expert.}{\insrsid6496677\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 The radio which was found }{\insrsid14355691\charrsid2506645 with }{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 one Enos was hearsay evidence and could not be }{\insrsid7566571\charrsid2506645 the }{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 basis for conviction of the appellants. \par \par The Principal State Attorney supported the learned trial }{\insrsid9916889\charrsid2506645 judge\rquote s}{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 evaluation of the evidence. He submitted there was enough circumstantial evidence to prove the offence. \par Firstly, the body of the deceased was properly identified by PW1 from a gap in his teeth and the clothes he was wearing. \par }{\insrsid9916889\charrsid2506645 Secondly, the testimony of PW}{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 2 }{\insrsid9916889\charrsid2506645 proved that}{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 it is the appellants who murdered the deceased. \par \par We are a first appellate court and }{\insrsid14355691\charrsid2506645 as such }{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 we have the duty to}{\insrsid7285677\charrsid2506645 re-evaluate the evidence and co}{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 me to our own conclusion whether }{\insrsid7285677\charrsid2506645 or not }{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 the finding of the trial court can be }{\insrsid14355691\charrsid2506645 suppor}{\insrsid2648912\charrsid2506645 ted by the evidence}{ \insrsid11541461\charrsid2506645 on record. We have to take into account the fact that we neither saw nor heard the witnesses testifying. See. }{\b\insrsid3370112\charrsid2506645 Pandya Vs R [1957] 336 and }{\b\insrsid11541461\charrsid2506645 Bogere Moses & Another Vs Uganda Cr. Appl. NO.1 of 1997 SC.}{\insrsid11541461\charrsid2506645 (unreported). \par }{\insrsid788636\charrsid2506645 In his judgement the learned trial judge found that the body was properly identified as}{\insrsid13304006\charrsid2506645 that of the deceased by Joy Two}{\insrsid788636\charrsid2506645 ngyeirwe (}{ \insrsid1777104\charrsid2506645 PW}{\insrsid788636\charrsid2506645 1). That she recognized the remains to be that of the deceased because of the gap in the lower teeth which was similar to that of the decease}{\insrsid13304006\charrsid2506645 d, the}{ \insrsid788636\charrsid2506645 grey pair of trousers, the black belt and the green T. Shirt, he wore on the day he disappeared.}{\insrsid4289364\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid788636\charrsid2506645 A part from the evidence of PW1, there is other evidence on record which prove}{\insrsid5587300\charrsid2506645 d}{\insrsid788636\charrsid2506645 that}{\insrsid1796668\charrsid2506645 the body which was exhumed by D/SGT/ Katokere (PW5) was that of the deceased.}{\insrsid788636\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid1796668\charrsid2506645 According to his testimony during his investigation, he came}{\insrsid10188155\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid1796668\charrsid2506645 a cross}{\insrsid5707606\charrsid2506645 a decomposing body buried in sh}{ \insrsid1796668\charrsid2506645 allow grave. It was at the home of the appellants\rquote father. He exhumed the body in presence of }{\insrsid12985100\charrsid2506645 one }{\insrsid1796668\charrsid2506645 Bamugeya Gaburieri (PW4) who was the chairman of}{\insrsid12985100\charrsid2506645 the Local Council I, Bwegi}{\insrsid11609484\charrsid2506645 i}{\insrsid12985100\charrsid2506645 ragye cell and other people}{\insrsid10188155\charrsid2506645 . The body had on its body a sweater and a green T-shirt inside the sweater. The sweater and T-shirt were exhibited at the trial as exhibits P. VI.}{\insrsid2573253\charrsid2506645 He arrested the second appellant and his mother and took them together with the decomposin}{\insrsid1928290\charrsid2506645 g body to Ishaka Police Station, where}{\insrsid2573253\charrsid2506645 it was identified by PW1. \par Nuwamanya Pision (}{\insrsid9641920\charrsid2506645 PW2),}{\insrsid2573253\charrsid2506645 who saw the deceased at the bar on the ev}{\insrsid7022808\charrsid2506645 ening}{\insrsid2573253\charrsid2506645 he disappeared}{\insrsid7022808\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid2573253\charrsid2506645 testified that he was wearing a green T-shirt.}{\insrsid1796668\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid15935844\charrsid2506645 In our view, it can not be a }{\insrsid11609484\charrsid2506645 coincidence}{\insrsid15935844\charrsid2506645 that the decomposing body}{\insrsid1274053\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid15935844\charrsid2506645 which PW5 fou }{\insrsid12526\charrsid2506645 nd in shallow}{\insrsid15935844\charrsid2506645 grave }{\insrsid15087200\charrsid2506645 had on it similar clothes as those}{\insrsid14625034\charrsid2506645 , PW1}{\insrsid15935844\charrsid2506645 and PW2 saw Mujuni Remagio}{\insrsid5515978\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid15935844\charrsid2506645 wearing on the day he disappeared. \par It is our considered opinion that the decomposing body }{\insrsid15087200\charrsid2506645 that was }{\insrsid15935844\charrsid2506645 found by PW5 and identified to the doctor by PW1 was that of Remigio Mujuni, the deceased. \par }{\insrsid14443323\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid9111774\charrsid2506645 We}{\insrsid1274053\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid9111774\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid9378184\charrsid2506645 therefore, }{\insrsid9111774\charrsid2506645 entirely agree with the finding of the trial judge that the body of the deceased was properly identified}{\insrsid9917889\charrsid2506645 as that of the deceased, as the evidence on record was sufficient to prove so.}{\insrsid9111774\charrsid2506645

\par }{\insrsid6701263\charrsid2506645 In order to prove that it is the appellants }{\insrsid15026607\charrsid2506645 who killed the deceased, there}{\insrsid6701263\charrsid2506645 are the following pieces of evidence.}{\insrsid530063\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid11617557\charrsid2506645 \par When PW5 arrested the second appellant after discovering the body at their home}{\insrsid4405338\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid11617557\charrsid2506645 he told him that the first appellant hit the deceased with an axe on the }{ \insrsid11236039\charrsid2506645 head and}{\insrsid11617557\charrsid2506645 the deceased died instantly.}{\insrsid11236039\charrsid2506645 The}{\insrsid9378184\charrsid2506645 n}{\insrsid11236039\charrsid2506645 he took him to the place where they had hidden the axe and he recovered it in the neighbourhood where it was}{\insrsid8587939\charrsid2506645 buried.}{\insrsid11617557\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid8587939\charrsid2506645 In }{\insrsid9378184\charrsid2506645 t}{\insrsid8587939\charrsid2506645 his statement the second appellant implicated himself as we}{\insrsid874113\charrsid2506645 ll}{\insrsid8587939\charrsid2506645 as the first appellant. He led PW5 to where they had hidden the axe. The statement was a confession and it led to discovery of fact. It was properly admitted in evidence according to section 29}{\insrsid13568971\charrsid2506645 }{ \insrsid8587939\charrsid2506645 A of the Evidence Act. \par }{\insrsid2056804\charrsid2506645 Additionally, }{\insrsid12283646\charrsid2506645 Niwamanya Pision (PW2) testified as follows. \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri533\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin533\lin720\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\i\insrsid12283646\charrsid2506645 \'93I know both accused persons. I know the names of Sirasi (A1) and Nuwamanya (A2). They are from my home village. Mujuni Remigio, I saw him in 2000. I found him at a bar. I had gone there to see the two accused. Remigio was selling in a bar belonging to Joy. This was a t about 11 p.m.}{\b\i\insrsid526751\charrsid2506645 I do not recall the date.}{\b\i\insrsid12283646\charrsid2506645 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri533\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin533\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\i\insrsid526751\charrsid2506645 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri533\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin533\lin720\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\i\insrsid526751\charrsid2506645 A2 came and told A1 that the goat they had was not well. He said they should go to the village and slaughter it.}{\b\i\insrsid598758\charrsid2506645 I went with the two accused and another man called Pascal. We were with the deceased also. My fr iend and I went ahead of them we heard some sound. Deceased and accused persons were behind us. There was a distance of 10 metres between us and those behind. It was dark. When I looked behind us, I saw someone had fallen. It was the deceased Mujuni. A1 and A2 were nearly beating deceased. I heard the sound but I did not see how deceased was being beaten. A1 was the one beating deceased. I did not see what A1 used to beat deceased. I}{\b\i\insrsid1589132\charrsid2506645 knew he was beating him because I heard that sound of hitting. A2 chased us away using a stick. We had a torch. The torch was on. I do not know why he chased us away. He chased me and Paskari. T}{\b\i\insrsid10771307\charrsid2506645 he stick was I metre long rough}{\b\i\insrsid1589132\charrsid2506645 ly. Then we went home}{\b\i\insrsid10771307\charrsid2506645 . \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri533\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin533\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\i\insrsid10771307\charrsid2506645 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri533\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin533\lin720\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\i\insrsid10771307\charrsid2506645 In the morning A1 came to our village Bwegiragye and said that he would kill me if I disclosed anything. He did not want me to disclose that he had beaten Mujuni. I kept quiet.}{\b\i\insrsid7215922\charrsid2506645 \'94}{\b\i\insrsid526751\charrsid2506645 \par }{\b\i\insrsid8788508\charrsid2506645 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\insrsid475400\charrsid2506645 To us PW2 was an eye witness who saw the appellants hitting the deceased. He and his friend were chased away. The following day the first appellant}{\insrsid4523522\charrsid2506645 went to his home and warned him}{\insrsid3164466\charrsid2506645 not to tell }{\insrsid11957356\charrsid2506645 any }{\insrsid3164466\charrsid2506645 one what he had }{\insrsid5314106\charrsid2506645 witnessed,}{\insrsid3164466\charrsid2506645 otherwise he would also be killed.}{\insrsid11227677\charrsid2506645 }{ \insrsid3164466\charrsid2506645 In our view}{\insrsid874113\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid3164466\charrsid2506645 this is }{\insrsid874113\charrsid2506645 irresistible}{\insrsid11957356\charrsid2506645 circumstantial evidence}{ \insrsid3164466\charrsid2506645 po}{\insrsid5637130\charrsid2506645 inting to nothing else but the g}{\insrsid3164466\charrsid2506645 uilt of the appellants. \par \par We do not appreciate the argument by the appellant\rquote s counsel that }{\insrsid12074764\charrsid2506645 the fact that PW2 did not tell anybody about what had happened for six month}{\insrsid151772\charrsid2506645 s}{\insrsid12074764\charrsid2506645 makes his evidence incredible or suspect. The witness was threatened that he would be killed in case he revealed to any body what he had seen the previous night. He had seen the deceased being assaulted and that deceased was longer seen in the village. He must have taken the threat seriously and kept silence so as to preserve his own life. \par \par W}{\insrsid3164466\charrsid2506645 hen Mujuni Remigio disappeared the first appellant told Joy Twongyirwe (PW1) that he had heard a rumour that the deceased wanted to go to his village and get married. \par }{\insrsid15104738\charrsid2506645 That he had seen him buying dry cells and could have taken PW1\rquote s radio to the village. \par However, later on when the radio was found, the first appellant claimed it to be his own.}{\insrsid15073757\charrsid2506645 This very radio was identified by PW1 as her radio which went missing on the day, the deceased disappeared.}{ \insrsid15104738\charrsid2506645 \par All these were lies and in our view coupled with their defences which were also lies}{\insrsid8010390\charrsid2506645 corroborated the prosecution case}{\insrsid3634909\charrsid2506645 . }{\insrsid15104738\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid8010390\charrsid2506645 \par There was sufficient evidence to convict the appellants of the offen}{\insrsid13069117\charrsid2506645 ce of murder. We, therefore, up}{\insrsid8010390\charrsid2506645 hold the}{\insrsid13069117\charrsid2506645 ir}{\insrsid8010390\charrsid2506645 conviction}{\insrsid13069117\charrsid2506645 s}{\insrsid8010390\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid13069117\charrsid2506645 for the offence }{\insrsid8010390\charrsid2506645 of murder. \par }{\insrsid151772\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid1514460\charrsid2506645 Counsel }{\insrsid12746657\charrsid2506645 for the appellant}{\insrsid13069117\charrsid2506645 s}{\insrsid12746657\charrsid2506645 submitted alternatively and }{\insrsid10297531\charrsid2506645 in }{ \insrsid1514460\charrsid2506645 mitigation of sentence. He prayed court }{\insrsid12746657\charrsid2506645 that in case the conviction of murder is }{\insrsid151772\charrsid2506645 upheld the}{\insrsid1514460\charrsid2506645 sentence of death}{ \insrsid151772\charrsid2506645 should be set aside and}{\insrsid1514460\charrsid2506645 substitute}{\insrsid151772\charrsid2506645 d}{\insrsid1514460\charrsid2506645 with a custodial sentence. He submitted that the appellants were first offenders. The first appellant was aged 29 years and the second appellant 40 years old and had a child. \par }{\insrsid11612513\charrsid2506645 Mr. Odit}{\insrsid1514460\charrsid2506645 prayed court to maintain the sentence. \par We listened }{\insrsid15168274\charrsid2506645 to submissions of both counsel i}{\insrsid1514460\charrsid2506645 n mitigation and}{\insrsid14566186\charrsid2506645 perused }{\insrsid884554\charrsid2506645 the record}{\insrsid1514460\charrsid2506645 . We are of the view that the appellant brutally murdered the deceased and planned this}{\insrsid14566186\charrsid2506645 heinous}{\insrsid884554\charrsid2506645 murder. }{\insrsid10638688\charrsid2506645 They deserve}{\insrsid884554\charrsid2506645 no merc}{\insrsid14566186\charrsid2506645 y. We find no good reason to va}{\insrsid884554\charrsid2506645 ry the sentence of death that was pa}{\insrsid3109149\charrsid2506645 ssed by the learned trial judge}{\insrsid14566186\charrsid2506645 . }{ \insrsid3109149\charrsid2506645 }{\insrsid10101318\charrsid2506645 \par \par }{\insrsid11340883\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid8141809\charrsid2506645 In the}{\insrsid3109149\charrsid2506645 result}{\insrsid1260660\charrsid2506645 ,}{\insrsid3109149\charrsid2506645 this appeal is devoid of merit.}{\insrsid1514460\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid3109149\charrsid2506645 \par It is accordingly dismissed. \par }{\insrsid10771307\charrsid2506645 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\insrsid530063\charrsid2506645 Dated at Kampala this}{\b\insrsid10765353\charrsid2506645 6}{\b\super\insrsid10765353\charrsid2506645 th}{ \b\insrsid10765353\charrsid2506645 }{\b\insrsid530063\charrsid2506645 day of}{\b\insrsid10765353\charrsid2506645 August }{\b\insrsid530063\charrsid2506645 2009. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\insrsid14306508\charrsid2506645 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2506645 {\b\insrsid530063\charrsid2506645 S. G. Engwau \par }{\b\caps\ul\insrsid530063\charrsid2506645 Justice Court of Appeal \par }{\insrsid14306508\charrsid2506645 \par }{\insrsid13776261\charrsid2506645 \par }{\b\insrsid530063\charrsid2506645 C. N. B Kitumba \par }{\b\caps\ul\insrsid530063\charrsid2506645 Justice Court of Appeal \par }{\insrsid13776261\charrsid2506645 \par }{\b\insrsid530063\charrsid2506645 A. S. Nshimye \par }{\b\caps\ul\insrsid530063\charrsid2506645 Justice Court of Appeal \par }}