Ssebina Joseph and Others v Uganda (Criminal Case No. 0488 of 2003) (Criminal Case No. 0488 of 2003) [2006] UGHC 21 (7 June 2006)

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\li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid9072145 \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\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5935 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f37\fs28\insrsid5935\charrsid5993429 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT NAKAWA \par (Arising from Entebbe Criminal Case No. 0488 of 2003) \par \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5935 {\b\f37\fs28\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid5993429\charrsid5993429 {\shp{\*\shpinst\shpleft4140\shptop158\shpright9720\shpbottom1599\shpfhdr0\shpbxcolumn\shpbxignore\shpbypara\shpbyignore\shpwr3\shpwrk0\shpfblwtxt0\shpz1\shplid1032{\sp{\sn shapeType}{\sv 1}}{\sp{\sn fFlipH}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn fFlipV}{\sv 0}} {\sp{\sn lTxid}{\sv 65536}}{\sp{\sn fRecolorFillAsPicture}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn fUseShapeAnchor}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn fLine}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn fLayoutInCell}{\sv 1}}{\shptxt \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid12470361 \par \par }{\b\f37\fs28\insrsid12470361\charrsid9181517 ::::::::::: ACCUSED / APPELLANTS \par }}}{\shprslt{\*\do\dobxcolumn\dobypara\dodhgt8193\dptxbx\dptxlrtb{\dptxbxtext\pard\plain \ql 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JUSTICE GIDEON TINYINONDI: \par \par JUDGMENT: \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid5993429\charrsid5993429 I was not }{\f37\fs26\insrsid5993429 able to get hold of the C}{\f37\fs26\insrsid14048455 harge Sheet}{\f37\fs26\insrsid5993429 from the lower court file. I will therefore rely on the proceedings and judgment to glean the nature of the charges the four Appellants faced.}{\f37\fs26\insrsid4213242 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid8982892 \par From the lower court judgment the four Appellants were arraigned fo}{\f37\fs26\insrsid2508363 r}{\f37\fs26\insrsid8982892 criminal trespass contrary to Section 302 (b) of the PCA, 2000 Laws of Uganda. It is stated that the prosecution alleged that \'93 the accused persons having entered on the property of the complainant remained therein with intent to intimidate insult and annoy the said complainant.\'94 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid2191414 \par The grounds of appeal were: - \par }\pard \qj \fi-720\li1440\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin1440\itap0\pararsid6428783 {\f37\fs26\insrsid2191414 \'931.\tab The learned trial Magistrate erred in law and fact when she failed to correctly and adequately evaluate all the evidence on the court record. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-180\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-180\lin0\itap0\pararsid14556542 {\f37\fs26\insrsid2191414 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f37\fs26\insrsid2191414 \hich\af37\dbch\af0\loch\f37 2.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li1080\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin864\lin1080\itap0\pararsid6428783 { \f37\fs26\insrsid2191414 The learned trial magistrate erect in law and fact when she held that it is not the duty of the court to determine whether the accu}{\f37\fs26\insrsid12532335 sed }{\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 persons are bonafide or lawful occupants which issue was crucial to the appellants\rquote defence.}{\f37\fs26\insrsid2191414 \par }\pard \qj \li360\ri-180\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-180\lin360\itap0\pararsid11477722 {\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 \hich\af37\dbch\af0\loch\f37 3.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li1080\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin864\lin1080\itap0\pararsid6428783 { \f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 The learned trial magistrate erred in law and fact when she held that the appellants had failed to prove their ownership or legal interest and so she deemed the appellants trespassers \endash thus unlawfully imposing a burden of proof on the appellants. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-180\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-180\lin0\itap0\pararsid11477722 {\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 \hich\af37\dbch\af0\loch\f37 4.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li1080\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin864\lin1080\itap0\pararsid6428783 {\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 The learned trial magistrate erred in law and fact when she based her conviction solely on the finding that the complainant was the registered proprietor of the land. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-180\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-180\lin0\itap0\pararsid11477722 {\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 \hich\af37\dbch\af0\loch\f37 5.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li1080\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin864\lin1080\itap0\pararsid6428783 {\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 The learned tri}{\f37\fs26\insrsid8739050 al }{\f37\fs26\insrsid6769998 M}{\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 agistrate erred in law and fact when she held that the accused persons are guilty of criminal trespass contrary to }{\b\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 S.302 (b) }{\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 of the Penal Code Act Cap.}{\f37\fs26\insrsid4551300 \'94}{\f37\fs26\insrsid11477722 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin0\itap0\pararsid8739050 {\f37\fs26\insrsid8739050 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid15735948 In her judgment the}{\f37\fs26\insrsid8739050 learned trial }{\f37\fs26\insrsid6769998 Magistrate stated: -}{\f37\fs26\insrsid8739050 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin720\itap0\pararsid6769998 {\f37\fs26\insrsid6769998 \'93the main issue for consideration is whether or not the prosecut}{\f37\fs26\insrsid331150 i}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid6769998 o}{\f37\fs26\insrsid331150 n}{\f37\fs26\insrsid6769998 has adduced enough evidence to sustain the offence of criminal trespass against the four accused persons.\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin0\itap0\pararsid5648373 {\f37\fs26\insrsid5648373 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5648373 {\f37\fs26\insrsid5648373 The learned trial Magistrate went on to lay down the elements of the offence. She did this correctly in my view.

\par \par The hearing proceeded ex parte}{\f37\fs26\insrsid7295009 before me}{\f37\fs26\insrsid5648373 , because notwithstanding that the Director of Public Prosecution was duly served no State Attorney appeared and no reason was sent to court to explain why.

\par \par Counsel for the Appellants argued grounds 1, 2 and 3 together, laying emphasis on ground 3. Essentially he contended that the lower court shifted the burden of proof on to the Appellants to prove ownership. }{\f37\fs26\insrsid6299344 That yet}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid5648373 all along they maintained they were bibanja holders through succession. Counsel further argued that the prosecution failed to prove two essential elements of the offense. That the prosecut}{\f37\fs26\insrsid14361591 ion}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid5648373 had failed to prove that the Appellants had no claim of interest on the land. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid14839875 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4135297 {\f37\fs26\insrsid14839875 Counsel further pointed out that the Appellants had explained how they came onto the land. But that the trial Magistrate did not consider this. That the trial Magistrate\rquote s only reference was: -}{\f37\fs26\insrsid4135297 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin720\itap0\pararsid6976520 {\f37\fs26\insrsid14839875 \'93Without dwelling so much on issues that can only be resolved by a civil suit, a \'85.complainant }{ \f37\fs26\insrsid15946134 is the recognized owner }{\f37\fs26\insrsid14839875 of the land in dispute\'85. Since the accused have failed to prove ownership or legal interest it makes th}{\f37\fs26\insrsid10830406 em trespassers having refused to comply with the requirement of letter by the complainant but instead went to cultivate on the land.\'94}{\f37\fs26\insrsid14839875 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin0\itap0\pararsid12470361 {\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15412741 {\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 That thereby the trial Magistrate exhibited bias by overlooking the Appellants\rquote interest when she was aware of it. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid14361591 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 Learned Counsel referred to exhibits \'93R1\'94 and \'93R2\'94 and stated that these were proof that A2 and A4 owned Kibanja interest on account of a donation by their father. That exhibit \'93D3\'94 was further evidence of the Appellants\rquote interest in the land. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin0\itap0\pararsid12470361 {\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15412741 {\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 Counsel further stated that the above submissions took care of grounds 4 and 5 of the memorandum of appeal. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin0\itap0\pararsid12470361 {\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15412741 {\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 Learned Counsel prayed for the appeal to be allowed, the convictions to be set aside}{\f37\fs26\insrsid4859631 ,}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 and the fines paid to be refunded. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin0\itap0\pararsid12470361 {\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15412741 {\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 I elect to start with the second ground of the appeal. On page 8 line 2 the learned trial Magistrate stated: \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin720\itap0\pararsid15412741 {\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 \'93The issue}{\f37\fs26\insrsid6164520 of ownership is not in dispute, and it is not the duty of this Court to determine whether accused persons are bona}{\f37\fs26\insrsid4859631 F}{\f37\fs26\insrsid6164520 ide or lawful occupants that being a civil matter per se since hey all failed to prove ownership.\'94}{\f37\fs26\insrsid12470361 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin0\itap0\pararsid1850460 {\f37\fs26\insrsid1850460 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9836529 {\f37\fs26\insrsid1850460 This was a serious error in law because this was a criminal trial where the court is entreated to do }{ \f37\fs26\insrsid13906858 justice by evaluating the whole evidence and the accused\rquote s defence. It was also a further grave error in law because the accused had no duty to prove ow nership. It was an error in fact because there was more than enough evidence on the record which proved that the Appellants actually owned interest on the land which evidence the Magistrate, true to her word, regarded as \'93 not the duty of this Court to determine.\'94}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1850460 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin0\itap0\pararsid1850460 {\f37\fs26\insrsid2056236 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9836529 {\f37\fs26\insrsid2056236 Let me go into some detail about the evidence that the prosecut}{\f37\fs26\insrsid14361591 ion}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid2056236 and defence led in respect of the charge. PW1 testified, inter alia, that }{\f37\fs26\ul\insrsid2056236 before}{\f37\fs26\insrsid2056236 he sold to the Complainant (PW3) }{\f37\fs26\ul\insrsid2056236 in 1989}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid7435841 .}{\f37\fs26\insrsid2056236\charrsid7435841 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7017260 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7435841 PW2 testified: - \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7017260 \'93}{\f37\fs26\insrsid14623578 Kinyozi was keeping the land and owned coffee plants on it}{\f37\fs26\insrsid7017260 .\'94}{\f37\fs26\insrsid14623578 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7017260 \par }\pard \qj \fi-720\li720\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9836529 {\f37\fs26\insrsid14623578 a).\tab He did not know when all the accused occupied the land prior to 1993 when PW3 appointed him caretaker of this land. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9836529 {\f37\fs26\insrsid9836529 \par }\pard \qj \fi-720\li720\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9836529 {\f37\fs26\insrsid14623578 b).\tab He knew Yoweri Kibuka Kinyozi to be the father of A2 and A4. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid9836529 {\f37\fs26\insrsid9836529 \par }\pard \qj \fi-720\li720\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9836529 {\f37\fs26\insrsid14623578 c).\tab There were coffee trees on this land before PW3 bought the land. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid9836529 \par PW3 testified, inter alia, \par }\pard \qj \fi-720\li1440\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid7173035 {\f37\fs26\insrsid9836529 a).\tab he bought the land in 1987 from Batenda. \par \par b).\tab }{\f37\fs26\insrsid1190253 When he bought the land there were coffee trees taken care of by Kinyozi.}{\f37\fs26\insrsid9836529 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7173035 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid1190253 c).\tab The coffee trees belonged to Batenda. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7173035 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid1190253 d).\tab At the time he bought the land, there was a house belonging to a Kenyan called Muchuka. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7173035 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid13385771 e).\tab Kinyozi was A2\rquote s father. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7173035 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid13385771 d).\tab He did not know Kinyozi was also A4\rquote s father. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7173035 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid13385771 f).\tab He did not know if Muchuka sold his house on the land to Sulaiman Matovu, before he went back to Kenya after PW3 got himself registered on 18/01/1990. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7173035 \par g).\tab He did not know that Sulaiman Matovu lived on this land before PW3 bought or that Sulaiman Matovu was A3\rquote s father. \par \par h).\tab He did not know that any of the accused was a Kibanja holder on this land. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7173035 {\f37\fs26\insrsid7173035 \par PW4 testified, inter alia, \par a).\tab In 1988 her cousin sold land at Bugiri-Busisi village to PW3. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid9646874 \par }\pard \qj \fi-720\li720\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid9646874 {\f37\fs26\insrsid9646874 b).\tab Since she got married in 1962 she had never set foot in Bugiri village where the land is situate.

\par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7349946 \par c).\tab She did not know the land Kinyozi had}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1523193 , had}{\f37\fs26\insrsid7349946 his residence on }{\f37\fs26\insrsid1523193 it }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7349946 and did not know any of his children. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid282399 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid282399 {\f37\fs26\insrsid282399 Both PW4\rquote s and PW5\rquote s evidence did not add value to the prosecut}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1126278 ion}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid282399 case. I will not dwell on it. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid11084747 \par I revert to a summary of defence evidence A1 testified that he was born on the land in dispute in 1977; has had both parents buried there; has his residence thereon; has cultivated coffee and other food crops there on 29/07/2003 he received}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid15878301 a letter from the Kisubi police station }{\f37\fs26\insrsid1523193 requiring him }{\f37\fs26\insrsid15878301 to remove everything of his from this land because it belonged to the Complainant. H e refused to vacate because he had nowhere else to go. The prosecution did not wish to cross-examine A1.}{\f37\fs26\insrsid11084747 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid10371700 \par A2 testified that he was born on the land in dispute 34 years ago. His father was Yoweri Kibuuka alias Kinyozi. They occupied and cultivated this land till his father died on 07/09/2003. The accused had a permanent house on the land.}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid11026851 He first heard of the Complainant when on 29/07/2003 the }{\f37\fs26\insrsid6956071 complainant }{\f37\fs26\insrsid11026851 wrote to him to remove all his crops and those planted by his parents. Before his father died he showed him a sale and purchase agreement whereby his }{\f37\fs26\insrsid8064272 late }{\f37\fs26\insrsid11026851 father had bought a Kibanja from Kasoma. The Kibanja was the one in dispute. The agreement was admitted without }{\f37\fs26\insrsid10831587 objection }{\f37\fs26\insrsid11026851 as exhibit \'93R1\'94. Further before his father died, he donated the said Kibanja to him. The document was admitted without }{\f37\fs26\insrsid1388073 objection }{\f37\fs26\insrsid11026851 as exhibit \'93R2\'94 . A2 further testified that A4 was born of same mother and father. A4 also received a donation of his father\rquote s Kibanja on the Complainant\rquote s land on which he was cultivating his food crops. The prosecution did not wish to cross-examine A2. }{\f37\fs26\insrsid10371700 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid11026851 \par A3 testified as follows: \par He was 33 years old. In October 2002 he bought a Kibanja from Sulaiman Matovu. The Kibanja was on Sulaiman Matovu\rquote s land. A sale and purchase agreement to this evidence was made. Sulaiman Matovu also gave to A3 an earlier agreement whereby Sulaiman Matovu had bought. Both documents were admitted without }{\f37\fs26\insrsid9242505 objection }{\f37\fs26\insrsid11026851 as exhibits \'93R3\'94 and \lquote R4\'94 respectively. He learnt that the land/Kibanja in dispute was on the Complainant\rquote s land on 29/07/2002 when}{\f37\fs26\insrsid9242505 he received a letter from the C}{\f37\fs26\insrsid11026851 omplainant instructing him to simply uproot all his crops on and then leave. He did not comply with the letter because he did not believe that the land belonged to the Complainant since A3 had bought it after ascertaining that it was genuinely offered for sale and the sale and p}{\f37\fs26\insrsid4922606 urchase}{\f37\fs26\insrsid11026851 agreement was witnessed by the LC members. The prosecut}{\f37\fs26\insrsid15818800 ion}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid11026851 opted not to cross-examination this evidence. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid4751028 \par A4 testified, inter alia, that he was 26 years old. He had a house on the land in dispute. His father Yoweri Kibuuka alias Kinyozi originally}{\f37\fs26\insrsid11209313 occupied and utilized this land which he divided between A2 and A4 who are blood brothers. Yoweri Kibuuka alias Kinyozi died on 08/08/2003. On 29/07/2003 the Complainant wrote a letter to A4 instructing him to }{\f37\fs26\insrsid7541160 uproot all his crops from this k}{\f37\fs26\insrsid11209313 ibanja. He r}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1182631 efused to comply. The prosecution}{\f37\fs26\insrsid11209313 opted not to cross-examination this evidence.}{\f37\fs26\insrsid4751028 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid1116021 \par This being a first appeal I have been duty-bound to subject the evidence to fresh and thorough crutiny. See: }{\f37\fs26\ul\insrsid1116021 WILLIAMSON DIAMOND LTD VS. BROWN: \{1970\} EA 1]}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1116021 . \par \par The following are my findings. The prosecution failed miserably to }{\f37\fs26\ul\insrsid1116021 prove beyond any reasonable doubt}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1116021 the elements of the offence in S}{\f37\fs26\insrsid10182105 ection}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1116021 302 (b) of the P}{\f37\fs26\insrsid10182105 enal }{\f37\fs26\insrsid1116021 C}{\f37\fs26\insrsid10182105 ode }{\f37\fs26\insrsid1116021 A}{\f37\fs26\insrsid10182105 ct}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1116021 . After evaluati ng the whole evidence it is abundantly clear that none of the prosecut}{\f37\fs26\insrsid3154602 ion}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1116021 witnesses alluded to any of the accused persons having intimidated, insulted, annoyed any person or having exhibited any intent to commit any offence. On the other hand all the accu sed admitted refusing to vacate for reasons I have already summarized herein before. In my considered view each of the accused\rquote s reasons affords a defence under, inter alia, the Constitution}{\f37\fs26\insrsid13831777 }{ \f37\fs26\ul\insrsid13831777 Land Act, Cap. 227 Laws of Uganda, 2000}{\f37\fs26\insrsid270466 , and the}{\f37\fs26\insrsid13831777 RTA Cap. 230, Laws of Uganda 2000}{\f37\fs26\insrsid13127290 . None of the }{\f37\fs26\insrsid270466 accused }{ \f37\fs26\insrsid13127290 was guilty of criminal trespass. }{\f37\fs26\insrsid270466 A salient factor in }{\f37\fs26\insrsid13127290 the whole evidence }{\f37\fs26\insrsid270466 is }{\f37\fs26\insrsid13127290 that the }{\f37\fs26\insrsid10250808 prosecution offered not to cross-examine anyone of the accused\rquote s evidence. }{\f37\fs26\insrsid270466 Yet in each }{\f37\fs26\insrsid10250808 case court offered the prosecution }{\f37\fs26\insrsid14036160 the opportunity to cross-examine}{ \f37\fs26\insrsid10250808 . It was held in }{\f37\fs26\ul\insrsid10250808 MOSES SEBITENGERO GANYA VS. UGANDA: CR. APPEAL NO. 32/95 (SC}{\f37\fs26\ul\insrsid3552511 )}{\f37\fs26\insrsid3552511 ] that}{\f37\fs26\insrsid10250808 evidence which is not cross-examined when an opportunity is given to the prosecution is presumed to be accepted. I follow this decision in my finding herein.}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1116021 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid10250808 \par In }{\f37\fs26\insrsid9444280 light of the foregoing I further uphold ground two of the appeal which complains about the trial Magistrate\rquote s holding on page 8 lines 2 to 5 that: -}{\f37\fs26\insrsid10250808 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin720\itap0\pararsid14709016 {\f37\fs26\insrsid9444280 \'93it is not the duty of this Court to determine whether the accused persons are bona fide or lawful occupants, that being a civil matter per se since all failed to prove ownership.\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin0\itap0\pararsid8787770 {\f37\fs26\insrsid8787770 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid8787770 {\f37\fs26\insrsid8787770 This statement read against the evidence amounted to a misdirection both in law and in fact. \par \par I}{\f37\fs26\insrsid1071590 n conclusion I allow the appeal}{\f37\fs26\insrsid8787770 , set aside the convictions and order that any fines paid be refunded. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid8600014 \par \par }{\b\f37\fs26\insrsid8600014 Sgd: Gideon Tinyinondi \par \tab }{\b\f37\fs26\ul\insrsid8600014 JUDGE \par }{\b\f37\fs26\insrsid14574469 \tab 07/06/20}{\b\f37\fs26\insrsid8600014 06. \par }{\b\f37\fs26\insrsid6306408 07/06/2006: 9.30 A. M. \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid6306408 Mr Balikuddembe for Appellants \par No appearance for state \par Ms. Kauma, Court Clerk. \par \par }{\b\f37\fs26\ul\insrsid6306408 COURT: \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid6306408 Judgment delivered in open court. \par \par \par }{\b\f37\fs26\insrsid6306408 Sgd:\tab Gideon Tinyinondi \par \tab }{\b\f37\fs26\ul\insrsid6306408 JUDGE \par }{\b\f37\fs26\insrsid6306408 \tab 07/06/2006.}{\b\f37\fs26\insrsid6306408\charrsid6306408 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri864\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin864\lin0\itap0\pararsid8787770 {\f37\fs26\insrsid8787770 \par }{\f37\fs26\insrsid8787770\charrsid10250808 \par }}