Stephen Sekandi and Another v Dokoria Ekunyat and Another (HCCS NO. 325 of 2004) (HCCS NO. 325 of 2004) [2005] UGHC 12 (30 August 2005)

{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}{\f35\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604030504040204}Tahoma;} {\f37\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f38\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}{\f40\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f41\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;} {\f42\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f43\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}{\f44\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f45\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);} {\f387\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Tahoma CE;}{\f388\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Tahoma Cyr;}{\f390\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Tahoma Greek;}{\f391\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Tahoma Tur;}{\f392\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Tahoma (Hebrew);} {\f393\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Tahoma (Arabic);}{\f394\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Tahoma Baltic;}{\f395\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Tahoma (Vietnamese);}{\f396\fswiss\fcharset222\fprq2 Tahoma (Thai);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255; \red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0; \red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{ \s1\ql \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f35\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 1;}{ \s2\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f35\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 2;}{\s3\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1 \keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f35\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 3;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\* \ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 footer;}{\*\cs16 \additive \sbasedon10 page number;}}{\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0} {\*\listtable{\list\listtemplateid-1143471536\listhybrid{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid1035631738\'03(\'00);}{\levelnumbers\'02;}\fbias0 \fi-720\li1440 \jclisttab\tx1440\lin1440 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713\'02\'01.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li1800\jclisttab\tx1800\lin1800 }{\listlevel \levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'02.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li2520\jclisttab\tx2520\lin2520 }{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0 \levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698703\'02\'03.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li3240\jclisttab\tx3240\lin3240 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0 \levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713\'02\'04.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li3960\jclisttab\tx3960\lin3960 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext \leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'05.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li4680\jclisttab\tx4680\lin4680 }{\listlevel\levelnfc0\levelnfcn0\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698703 \'02\'06.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li5400\jclisttab\tx5400\lin5400 }{\listlevel\levelnfc4\levelnfcn4\leveljc0\leveljcn0\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698713\'02\'07.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-360\li6120 \jclisttab\tx6120\lin6120 }{\listlevel\levelnfc2\levelnfcn2\leveljc2\leveljcn2\levelfollow0\levelstartat1\levelspace0\levelindent0{\leveltext\leveltemplateid67698715\'02\'08.;}{\levelnumbers\'01;}\fi-180\li6840\jclisttab\tx6840\lin6840 }{\listname ;}\listid325666262}}{\*\listoverridetable{\listoverride\listid325666262\listoverridecount0\ls1}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid6562653}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\author troom}{\operator owner} {\creatim\yr2008\mo3\dy25\hr11\min51}{\revtim\yr2008\mo3\dy25\hr11\min51}{\printim\yr2005\mo10\dy5\hr13\min49}{\version2}{\edmins1}{\nofpages4}{\nofwords522}{\nofchars2976}{\*\company Acer Customer}{\nofcharsws3492}{\vern24689}} \widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale105\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nojkernpunct\rsidroot6562653 \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6562653 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6562653 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6562653 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6562653 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linex0\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxr\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs16\insrsid6562653 PAGE }}{\fldrslt {\cs16\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid6562653 4}}}{\cs16\insrsid6562653 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri360\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid6562653 \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 \s1\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f35\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid6562653 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par }\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA \par \par HCCS NO. 325 OF 2004 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 \par \par 1. STEPHEN SEKANDI \par 2. ALEX N. TUMUSHABE ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: PLAINTIFFS \par \par }\pard\plain \s2\qc \li0\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f35\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\insrsid6562653 VERSUS \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 \par 1. DOKORIA EKUNYAT \par 2. SIMON OCHOM :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: DEFENDANTS \par \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 BEFORE: THE HON. MR. JUSTICE R. O. OKUMU WENGI \par \par JUDGMENT: \par }{\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 The plaintiff brought this suit against the defendant for special and general damages allegedly arising from a traffic motor accident. The accident occurred as the Plaintiff drove in his own car at 10 p.m. in May 2003 along Jinja Road at Kyambogo. It is stated in the plaint that the defendants vehicle was negligently driven so as to cause a crash that extensively damaged the vehicles. The defendants were served by substituted servic e and did not file or appear to defend the suit and interlocutory judgment was entered by the Registrar on 8}{\f35\fs28\super\insrsid6562653 th}{\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 November 2004 and the suit proceed to formal proof. \par \par At the hearing Lt Alex Tumushabe testified as PW1. He told court that as he drove from Kyambogo towards Kampala City along Jinja Kampala Kampala highly the defendant who came from the opposite side with full lights knocked his vehicle. He stated:-

\par \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0 {\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 \'93My vehicle was badly damaged. It overtuned three times. After the accident I came out. 999 pol ice came, called traffic to take measurements. My sister in law came took me to hospital.\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 \par He told court that the other driver had no driving permit and was subsequently prosecuted and convicted at Nakawa court. A copy of the certified record of the tra ffic case was produced by counsel with his written submissions. The Plaintiff then said that he spent shs 6.2 million to repair his vehicle and presented exhibit P.1. He also told court that in the meantime he was hiring for alternative means a vehicle at shs 50,000 per day. \par \par Mr. Eriasi Kibirango testified as PW2. He told court that he was a taxi (special hire) driver who was hired by the Plaintiff for 3 months. \par \par I must say this case was not vigorously prosecuted at all as counsel assumed that he had com prehensively led his witnesses whereas not. Even if I were to take it that Exhibit P.1 was genuine the mechanic should have been called to support the plaintiffs testimony and also to explain how he could have taken a whole shs 6 million and more than 3 m onths to repair a Corona whose replacement value could well be near these repair costs. The traffic accident report was not exhibited nor was the sketch plan and no police officer or inspector of vehicles testified. Plaintiff was unable to get even the general receipt for the Traffic Accident report. \par \par Having said that however, and considering that an accident did take place and the errant driver was prosecuted and convicted, and he did not have a driving permit, I will say that the defendant is liable on account of negligence of his driver as is his driver. The plaintiff will be entitled to judgment and repair costs met by plaintiff discounted to 1/3}{\f35\fs28\super\insrsid6562653 rd}{\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 of shs 6.2 million. This comes to shs 2,070,000. To this add special hire charges for seven (7) days at the rate of shs 50,000 (shs 350,000/=). No other claims have been proved. In the result the defendant is to be ordered to pay to the plaintiff

\par {\listtext\pard\plain\f35\fs28 \hich\af35\dbch\af0\loch\f35 (a)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-720\li1440\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx1440\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0 {\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 Shs 2,420,000/= as above. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\f35\fs28 \hich\af35\dbch\af0\loch\f35 (b)\tab}Costs of this suit. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 \par \par \par R. O. Okumu Wengi \par }\pard\plain \s3\qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f35\fs28\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6562653 JUDGE \par }\pard\plain \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 30/8/2005. \par \par \par \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 5/10/2005 \par }{\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 Parties absent \par Mr Yeilangani for Plaintiffs \par Defendants absent. \par \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 Court: \par }{\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 Judgment delivered. \par \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 Sgd by:}{\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 Roy Byaruhanga \par }{\b\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 AG. D/REGISTRAR}{\f35\fs28\insrsid6562653 . \par 5/10/2005. \par \par \par \par \par }}