St. Lawrence Citizens High School Limited and Another v Reynolds Constructions company Limited and Another (Miscellaneous Application No. 6 of 2022) [2022] UGHCCD 54 (30 March 2022)

### THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

# IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT MPIGI

# Miscellaneous Application No. 006 of 2022

# (Arising out of Civil Suit No. 05 of 2019)

1. ST. LAWRECE CITIZENS' HIGH SCHOOL LIMITED 2. MARIA JUSTINE TULINA NAKITENDE (Administrator Of the Estate of the late Mukiibi Lawrence Ssemakula)

...... APPLICANTS

一带

**VERSUS**

1. REYNOLDS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED **RESPONDENTS.**

**2. BWIRE MOSES** 10

$\mathsf{S}$

$20$

# BEFORE: HIS LORDSHIP HON. JUSTICE OYUKO ANTHONY OJOK, JUDGE

### Ruling

- The applicants brought this application by way of Chamber summons under Order 6 Rule 19, Order 52 Rules 1, 2, and 3 of the Civil Procedure Rules and 15 Section 98 of the Civil Procedure Act against the respondents. - The applicants seek to be heard on orders that; - a. The applicants be granted leave to amend pleadings in Civil Suit No. 05 of 2019 by increasing the claim from UGX 362,586,330/= (Uganda Shillings three hundred sixty two million five hundred eighty six thousand - three hundred thirty only) to UGX 390,720,650/= (Uganda shillings three hundred ninety six million seven hundred twenty nine thousand six hundred fifty only). - b. Costs of this application be provided for. - The application was supported by an affidavit sworn by the $2^{nd}$ applicant and the 25 grounds briefly are as follows; - 1. That the applicants filed Civil Suit No. 05 of 2019 in this court against the respondents wherein the claim was for recovery of UGX 362,586,330/ $=$

(Uganda Shillings three hundred sixty two million five hundred eighty six thousand three hundred thirty only), special damages, general damages, punitive damages and exemplary damages, interest and costs of this suit for negligence, reckless driving by the first defendant's employee/agent causing irreparable damages to the first plaintiff's motor vehicle and severe injuries plus loss of business to the late Mukiibi Lawrence Ssemakula.

- 2. The second Applicant sued in her capacity as Administrator of the Estate of the late Lawrence Mukiibi Ssemakula. - 3. The applicant was not in custody of all the necessary documentary evidence in the main suit. - 4. That as the applicants' witnesses were directed to file evidence in the form of witness statements, they recovered more receipts to show necessary additional expenditures incurred as a result of the applicants' claim. - 5. That the applicants wish to make a further claim against the respondents and the same can only be done by amending their pleadings to capture the figures in the additional receipts. - 6. That the pleadings can only be amended with the leave of this honourable court. - 7. That it is just and fair that this application is allowed and the applicants/plaintiffs are granted unconditional leave to amend the pleadings by changing the value of their claim from UGX $362,586,330/$ = (Uganda Shillings three hundred sixty two million five hundred eighty six thousand three hundred thirty only) to UGX 390,720,650/= (Uganda shillings three hundred ninety six million seven hundred twenty nine thousand six hundred fifty only). - 8. It is equitable and in the interest of justice that the application be allowed. - 9. That the grant of leave to amend shall not cause any injustice to the respondents.

The application was opposed by an affidavit in reply sworn by Brillian Atuhairwe contending that the application was misconceived, frivolous and vexatious. 30

### Representation:

Mr. Abu Mayanja represented the applicants while Mr. Enock Ovumbi represented the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent. The 2<sup>nd</sup> respondent was unrepresented nor was he present in court during the hearing of the application. Both counsel filed written submissions.

$\mathsf{S}$

$25$

### Resolution of the application:

$5$

It was submitted for the applicants that the time the $1<sup>st</sup>$ applicant instituted a claim of UGX 362,586,330/ $=$ (Uganda Shillings three hundred sixty two million five hundred eighty six thousand three hundred thirty only) as against the respondents some receipts had not been brought to her attention by her brother Bernard Ssemakula who was directly in touch with the late Mukiibi Ssemakula while he was sick. That the said receipts have a total of UGX 34, 143, 360/= (Uganda Shillings thirty four million one hundred forty three thousand three hundred sixty only) which amount is substantial enough to be included in the plaint.

In regard to whether the applicants can be granted leave to amend their plaint, counsel for the applicants cited Order 6 Rule 19 of the Civil Procedure Rules which provides for amendment of pleadings and gives court powers to grant leave to amend pleadings and the cases of Gaso Transport Services (Bus) Ltd v. Obene [1990 - 1994] EA 88 and Sarope Petroleum Ltd v. Orient Bank Ltd & 2 Others, Miscellaneous Application No. 72 of 2011 to support his argument.

Counsel for the applicants added that the said receipts form part of the special damages which need to be pleaded and proved specifically. And that if this application is granted it will prevent the multiplicity of suits. That the application is not malafide since it was brought by the 2<sup>nd</sup> Applicant as an Administrator of 20 the estate of the late Mukiibi Ssemakula and director of the 1<sup>st</sup> applicant. That the said receipts were in the custody of her brother because she never made any payments; which receipts had been misplaced.

Further, that the application is not limited by law and was brought without any delay and if granted will not prejudice the respondents. (See: Lubowa Gyaviira & 25 Others v. Makerere University, HCMA No. 471 of 2009).

Counsel concluded that this court has inherent powers to make such orders as may be necessary for ends of justice, therefore, this application should be granted so that the main suit is properly determined.

Counsel for the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent on the other submitted that the application was an 30 afterthought and was brought with undue delay. Counsel contested the claims in paragraph 7(a), (e) (f) of the affidavit in support of the application. That the monies claimed here under were incurred by persons who are not party to the suit and this is prejudicial to the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent. $\mathbf{H}$

# Analysis of court:

$\mathsf{S}$

I have carefully considered the submissions for the applicants in the instant application and the gist of this application is that the 2<sup>nd</sup> applicant seeks to increase the claim in the plaint from UGX 362,586,330/= (Uganda Shillings three hundred sixty two million five hundred eighty six thousand three hundred thirty only) to UGX 390,720,650/= (Uganda shillings three hundred ninety six million seven hundred twenty nine thousand six hundred fifty only).

The 2<sup>nd</sup> applicant seeks to add a number of receipts that had been misplaced that cover a tune of UGX 34, 143, 360/= (Uganda Shillings thirty four million one hundred forty three thousand three hundred sixty only) which is a substantial amount that ought to be added to the claim in the plaint. That adding this amount would prevent instituting another suit claiming for the same thus preventing multiplicity of suits.

In regard to the contestation of the 1<sup>st</sup> respondent on the claims in paragraph $7(a)$ , (e) (f) of the affidavit in support of the application; monies claimed to have 15 incurred by persons who are not party to the suit. Counsel for the applicants orally submitted in reply that these were monies incurred by the persons who escorted and took care of the sick person the late Mukiibi Lawrence who could not travel on his own. So all the expenditure under paragraph 7(a), (e) (f) was towards the treatment and care of the late Lawrence Mukiibi. 20

It is trite that special damages are to be pleaded and proved specifically; therefore, the applicants cannot be able to prove or claim what they did not plead in their plaint as parties are also bound by their pleadings.

Order 6 Rule 19 of the Civil Procedure Rules provides for amendment of pleadings and gives court powers to grant leave to amend pleadings. 25

I find and hold that increasing the claim in the plaint from UGX 362,586,330/ $=$ (Uganda Shillings three hundred sixty two million five hundred eighty six thousand three hundred thirty only) to UGX 390,720,650/= (Uganda shillings three hundred ninety six million seven hundred twenty nine thousand six hundred fifty only) will not be prejudicial to the respondents in anyway.

Having the proper/correct claim in the plaint will aid this court in properly/efficiently determining the applicants' claim against the respondents. It will also save this court's time and the application was brought without undue delav.

$\overline{4}$

This application is hereby allowed. Costs in the cause. I so order. Right of appeal explained.

$\mathbf{M}$ $\cdots$

$\mathsf{S}$ OYUKO ANTHONY OJOK **JUDGE** 30/03/2022

$\mathrel{\smile}$

$\mathcal{L}$