Superior Construction & Engineering Ltd v Notay Engineering Industries 1918 Ltd (Civil Suit No.702/89) [1990] UGHC 4 (1 June 1990)

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\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800\dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1 \jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct \asianbrkrule\rsidroot945341\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5519795 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid5519795 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 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.}}{\*\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 \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1 \widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5519795 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\ul\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 THE REPBLIC OF UGA}{\b\ul\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 NDA}{ \b\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA \par }{\b\ul\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 CIVIL}{\b\ul\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\b\ul\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 SUIT NO.702/89}{\b\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5519795 {\b\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 SUPERIOR CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING LIMITED\'85..\'85. PLAINTIFF \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5519795 {\b\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 V}{\b\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 ERSUS \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5519795 {\b\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 NOTAY ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES }{\b\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 (1918) LTD }{ \b\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85. DEFENDANT \par BEFORE: }{\b\ul\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 The Hon. Mr. Justice }{\b\ul\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 G}{\b\ul\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 . M}{\b\ul\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 Okello }{\b\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5519795 {\b\ul\insrsid8916979\charrsid5519795 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5519795 {\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 This is }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 a case sub}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 -contract. In it the Plaintiff claims a balance f payment of US }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 $31,383.00}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 or its }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 equivalen}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 t value }{ \insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 a}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 t}{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 official exchange rate in Uganda shillings }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 12,553,200.00; costs of the s}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 hit }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 a}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 nd interest }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 on the decretal amount. \par }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 The }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 circumstances}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 giving}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 rise t}{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 o}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 this case are as}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 follow}{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 s: The }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 Plaintiff and the defendant are limited, liability }{ \insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 companies.}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 Sometimes }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 before November 198}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 8 the Parties entered }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 into}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 a verbal }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 contract}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 in }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 which}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the defendant sub-contracted the Plaintiff t}{ \insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 o do some civil Engineering w}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 orks at }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 Kasawo and}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 Lube }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 Co}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ffee Factories. The Plaintiff started the work at both these factories simultaneously in }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 November}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 1988 }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 after}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 the}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 defendant had}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 paid}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 him }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 deposits of US $800.}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 00. Final payment }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 was}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 agreed to}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 be }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 made when the works wee completed and }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 tha}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 t the amount would }{ \insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 depend on the }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 bills of quantities and in US $ }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 or its value}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid10512552\charrsid5519795 at official exchange rate.

\par }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 In the }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 course}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 of the work however, the }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 defendant}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 paid some advances to the Plaintiff. The Plaintiff completed the work }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 and s}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ubmitted to the de}{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 fe}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ndant two bills of quantities showing }{ \insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 the costs of}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the works }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 a}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 t each }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 factory}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 . This }{ \insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 as followed }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 by a }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 statement of accounts showing the ad}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 vances made and the ba}{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 l}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ance of payment yet to }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 be made to}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 him.}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 Despite}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 demands for payment of the bal}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ance of }{\insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 payment}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 which stood at}{ \insrsid8530467\charrsid5519795 US $31,383.00 or}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 its equivalent in Uganda Shillings at the }{\insrsid15802942\charrsid5519795 official}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 exchange rates of }{\insrsid14882046\charrsid5519795 Sh}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 s}{\insrsid14882046\charrsid5519795 .38}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 4/= per U}{\insrsid14882046\charrsid5519795 S$}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 no }{\insrsid14882046\charrsid5519795 payment was made. Hence this suit. \par }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 The defendant entered the }{\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 necessary}{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 Appearance and filed this }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 written }{\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 statement}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 of}{\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 Defence}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 .}{\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 In his }{\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 statement}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 of }{\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 defence, the defendant adm}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 itted the }{\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 existence of the contract bu}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 t denied any of the balance }{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 of }{\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 payment. Instead he counter-claimed}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 General }{\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 Damages}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 } {\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 from}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid16452949\charrsid5519795 the}{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 Plaintiff for loss caused}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 to h}{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 im by an alleged breach of the co}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ntract }{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 by}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the Plaintiff }{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 who he alleged failed to complete the agreed wo}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 rks. The amount of loss he }{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 counter-claimed stood at US $97.077.0}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 3. The}{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 Plaintiff denied the counterclaim}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 and the ca}{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 se was set down for hearing. Hearing Notice was served on counsel}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 for the defendant on 3/1/90. Service was accepted and affidavit of servi}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ce}{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 dated 29th }{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 January}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 1990 to that effect was filed on }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the}{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 cour}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 t }{\insrsid11954620\charrsid5519795 record.

\par }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 At the hearing, }{\insrsid16650463\charrsid5519795 neither}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the defendant nor hi}{\insrsid16650463\charrsid5519795 s counsel appeared and on the app}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 lication of counsel for the}{\insrsid16650463\charrsid5519795 Plaintiff, I allowed the hearing to}{\insrsid1850268\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 proceed exparte under of the CPR since I was }{\insrsid16650463\charrsid5519795 satisfied }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 that hearing Notice was duly served on the }{\insrsid16650463\charrsid5519795 defendant. Only the Plaintiff\rquote }{\insrsid6423833\charrsid5519795 s Managing Director GURBAX SINGH gave evidence. The sale issue was framed as fol}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 l}{\insrsid6423833\charrsid5519795 ows:- \par }\pard \s15\qj \li720\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5519795 {\i\insrsid6423833\charrsid5519795 \'93}{\i\insrsid2781794\charrsid5519795 w}{\i\insrsid6423833\charrsid5519795 hether}{\i\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the Plaintiff is entitled t}{\i\insrsid6423833\charrsid5519795 o the }{\i\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 balance of payment for the }{\i\insrsid2781794\charrsid5519795 work}{\i\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{ \i\insrsid2781794\charrsid5519795 done at }{\i\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 Lube and }{\i\insrsid6423833\charrsid5519795 Kas}{\i\insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 awo}{\i\insrsid6423833\charrsid5519795 Factories\'94. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5519795 {\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 I}{\insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 n his address to me, Mr. Womutuba}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 submitted that there }{\insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 was no}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 disp}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ute over the existence of the contract between the }{ \insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 parties}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 in }{\insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 which }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the }{\insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 defendant sub-}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 contracted the Plaintiff to do civil}{\insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 engineering works a Kasawo and Lube Factories. That the terms of that contract was}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 that the Plaintiff would be }{\insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 p}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 aid by the defendant on com}{\insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 p}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 letion of the work and that the ter}{\insrsid1270089\charrsid5519795 ms of p}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ayment was payment in US dollars, Counsel }{\insrsid3802605\charrsid5519795 submitted further that th}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ere was implied admission of these terms of contract from }{\insrsid3802605\charrsid5519795 the WSD. \par That}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the Plaintiff completed }{\insrsid3802605\charrsid5519795 h}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 i}{\insrsid3802605\charrsid5519795 s side of the co}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 nt}{\insrsid3802605\charrsid5519795 r}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ac}{\insrsid3802605\charrsid5519795 t by }{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 doing the }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 civil Engineering works }{\insrsid3802605\charrsid5519795 at both these F}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 actories in accordance }{\insrsid2052565\charrsid5519795 w}{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 ith the bill }{\insrsid2052565\charrsid5519795 of}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 quantities }{\insrsid2052565\charrsid5519795 E}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 xh P1 and Exh P2 respectively. That these bills. were submitted to the defendants That this was followed by a statement of a}{\insrsid2052565\charrsid5519795 ccounts (Exh}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 P3) showing advances made to the Plaintiff and the amount of }{\insrsid7170768\charrsid5519795 the balance of payment}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 due o him bu}{\insrsid7170768\charrsid5519795 t }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 that }{ \insrsid7170768\charrsid5519795 despite}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 demands (ExhP3) the defendant failed to pay the Plaintiff. Counsel }{\insrsid7170768\charrsid5519795 submitted}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 that the Plaintiff became entitled o his balance of }{\insrsid7170768\charrsid5519795 payment}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 after, completing his }{\insrsid7170768\charrsid5519795 work}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 for which he had contracted to d} {\insrsid7170768\charrsid5519795 o}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 . That there is no evidence }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 to}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 contradic}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 t that given by the Plaintiff and he invited me to }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 enter }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 judgment in favour }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 o}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 f the Plaintiff in the a}{ \insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 m}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ount claimed or in its value in the local currency at the official exchange rate, costs of the suit and interest on the decretal amount}{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 . \par }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 I have considered }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 the argument}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 and }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 submission}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 made by }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 the learn}{\insrsid9710638\charrsid5519795 ed }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 counsel }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 an}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 d after carefully reviewing }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 t}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 he evidence on record, I am satisfied that the }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 plaintiff}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 is entitled }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 to}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the balance of payment claimed. }{ \insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 I }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 have come to this conclus}{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 ion on because I am}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 sat}{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 isfied with the evidence on rec}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ord. There is evidence that there was a contract between the Plaintiff and the de}{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 fendant and that the Plaintiff completed}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 his part of }{ \insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 the contract. See Exh P1 and Exh P2 which show tha}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 t the }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 p}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 laintif f completed Engineering works at Kasawo and Lube Factories. These exhibits also show the value of works }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 the Plaintiff did at each of these fact}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ories. At Kasawo the value }{ \insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 s}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 tands at US }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 $}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 2}{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 6,120.00}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 while at Lub}{ \insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 e}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 it stood at }{\insrsid9572784\charrsid5519795 US $36,908.}{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 00}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 . The Plaintiff }{\insrsid4601504\charrsid5519795 admitted}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid9572784\charrsid5519795 that some advance payments }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 wer}{\insrsid9572784\charrsid5519795 e made to}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 him }{\insrsid9572784\charrsid5519795 by the }{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 defendant as the work }{\insrsid9572784\charrsid5519795 progressed.}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 The details of the advance }{\insrsid9572784\charrsid5519795 payments}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 made and the actual balance of payment due were prepared and that statement of the account (ExhP3) was }{\insrsid9572784\charrsid5519795 submitted}{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 to the defendant. This}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 statement of account shows t}{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 hat the total }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 a}{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 mount payable to}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 the}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 plaintiff}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 for the whole work }{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 stood at US $63,028.00}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 less the total }{ \insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 advance payment made to him which stood at US $}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 3,6}{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 45.00}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 . This leaves a}{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 balance of payment due to the }{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 Plaintiff to US $31,383.00}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 . The evidence shows th}{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 at the defendant has }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 not yet }{ \insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 effected this paym}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ent}{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 .}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 There is no contrary evidence t}{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 o contradic}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 t the above and the }{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 evidence given by}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the }{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 Plaintiff}{\insrsid9534796\charrsid5519795 is not manifestly }{ \insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 or inherently false. I}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 therefore believe}{\insrsid9534796\charrsid5519795 it. Hence I do find as a fact }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 that the Plaintiff }{ \insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 completed his par}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 t }{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 o}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 f the }{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 contractual}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 works at Kasaw}{ \insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 o}{\insrsid9534796\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid2371692\charrsid5519795 and Lube Coffee Factories for which the defendant}{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 still owes him a balance of payment of US $31,383.00. \par A party w}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ho freely enters into a }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 contract with an}{\insrsid9710638\charrsid5519795 other is expected to }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 pay}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 that other for the work he has done for that Party as a result of the contract. In the instant case the }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 plaintiff h}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 as done the work for which he contracted }{ \insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 with}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the defendant. He }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 is therefore entitled to}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 the amount claimed or its equivalent value in U ganda shillings at the official }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 the exchange r}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ate of Shs.}{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 3}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 84/=. }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 This puts the amount at Shs.12,0}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 51,112/}{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 =. \par }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 The Plaintiff }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 claimed}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 for int}{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 erest on the decretal amount. An}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 award }{ \insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 of}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 interest is a ma}{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 tter of discretion of the court. The tendency these day}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 s is to awa}{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 rd interest where th}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 e defendant was in same way responsible fo}{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 r the delay in effecting payment. \par }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 In the instant case, the evidence shows that the bills of }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 quantity demand payment}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 were sent to the defendant who merely refused to effect payment without }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 subscribing}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 }{\insrsid8326566\charrsid5519795 any reason. He with}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 held money }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 wh}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ich t}{ \insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 o}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 his }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 fun knowledg}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 e would }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 be put by the Plaintiff to some}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 other }{\insrsid10688824\charrsid5519795 investment}{\insrsid8326566\charrsid5519795 . }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 This in my view entitled the }{\insrsid8326566\charrsid5519795 plaintiff}{ \insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 to interest against the defendant. }{\insrsid8326566\charrsid5519795 \par }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 As regards the rate to be awarded, this too is a matter of }{\insrsid8326566\charrsid5519795 discretion. The court rate is 12.5}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 % but this may vary in cases particularly wher}{ \insrsid8326566\charrsid5519795 e the defendant has been responsible for a gro}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ss delay.}{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 \par Where a defenda}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 nt has been guilty of gross delay, I think }{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 it is prop}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 er for the rate of interest to reflect the c urrent commercial value of money. The lending rate now is 40%. }{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 I consider this to be an appropriate rate in a c}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ase of this nature. }{\i\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 \par }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 The Plaintiff also prays }{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 for cost of the suit. Lik}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 e interest, costs are also matter of discretion of the court. It is generally awarded }{ \insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 to a successful p}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 arty unless there is a }{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 special reason to deprive him}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 of his costs. In the}{ \insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 instant case there is no such special reason an}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 d the plaintiff}{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 is allowed costs of the suit. In summary judgm}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 ent is entered for the Plainti}{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 ff in the sum}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 of Uganda Shs.12,051,112/= being }{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 the equivalent of US $}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 31,383 }{ \insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 at the current off}{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 icial rate of exchange of 384/=. Costs of the suit and interest on the decretal }{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 amount at 40% from the date of Judgment. Counsel\rquote }{\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 s claim is dismissed. }{\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 \par }\pard \s15\qr \li5760\ri0\sb100\sa240\sbauto1\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin5760\itap0\pararsid12917651 {\b\insrsid16739887\charrsid5519795 G. M. Okello}{\b\insrsid12917651 JUDG}{ \b\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 E }{\b\insrsid12917651 }{\b\ul\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 1/6/90: }{\b\insrsid945341\charrsid5519795 \line }{\b\insrsid945341\charrsid12917651 \par }}