Tadeo Womusi V S.M. Wambale (Civil Appeal No. 76 of 2005) [2009] UGCA 48 (19 November 2009)

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(}{\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\pararsid1725545 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\shad\ul\insrsid944547\charrsid1725545 }{\b\shad\ul\insrsid3999947\charrsid1725545 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\b\shad\ul\insrsid13270866\charrsid1725545 \par }{\b\insrsid3999947\charrsid1725545 \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\pararsid1725545 {\b\i\insrsid3999947\charrsid1725545 CORAM:\tab HON. JUSTICE A. E. MPAGI-BAHIGEINE, JA. \par \tab \tab HON. JUSTICE C. N. B. KITUMBA, JA. \par \tab \tab HON. JUSTICE C. K. BYAMUGISHA, JA. \par }{\b\insrsid3999947\charrsid1725545 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\shad\ul\insrsid3999947\charrsid1725545 CIVIL APPEAL No.76 OF 2005 \par }{\b\insrsid3999947\charrsid1725545 \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\insrsid8921883\charrsid1725545 TADEO WOMUSI ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: APPELLANT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\insrsid8921883\charrsid1725545 VERSUS \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\insrsid8921883\charrsid1725545 S. M. WAMBALE :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: RESPONDENT \par \par }{\b\i\insrsid8921883\charrsid1725545 [Appeal from the Judgement of the High Court of Uganda held at Mb}{\b\i\insrsid10633581\charrsid1725545 ale (Muhanguzi, J)}{\b\i\insrsid8921883\charrsid1725545 , dated 28/08/2005 in HCCA No.28 of 2003] \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\shad\ul\insrsid8921883\charrsid1725545 JUDGEMENT OF KITUMBA, JA. \par }{\insrsid8921883\charrsid1725545 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\insrsid8921883\charrsid1725545 This}{\insrsid12533453\charrsid1725545 is a s econd appeal. The appeal is from the decision of the High Court which reversed the judgment of the trial Magistrate Grade I, dated 28/7/2003 in Civil Suit No.185 of 1995 (on retrial).}{\insrsid8921883\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid14646424\charrsid1725545 The following is}{\insrsid12533453\charrsid1725545 the back ground to this appeal. The respondent filed civil appeal. No. M. M. 13 of 1995 at Buhungu Grade II Magistrate\rquote s Court and lost the case to the appellant on 4/3/1996. He appealed to Mbale Chief Magistrate\rquote s Court in Civil Appeal No.13 of 1996. The Chief Magistrate heard the appeal and on 11/06/98 or}{\insrsid2102565\charrsid1725545 d ered a retrial before Grade I M}{\insrsid8400809\charrsid1725545 agistrate at Mbale. }{\insrsid2102565\charrsid1725545 The respondent\rquote s case in the Magistrate\rquote s Court was that he bought the suit land from the late Stephen Gambwa in 1974. He e}{\insrsid3240362\charrsid1725545 njoyed}{\insrsid2102565\charrsid1725545 quiet possession of the same until 1988 when the appellant trespassed on t he land and cut down some trees. He sued for vacant possession and payment of compensation for the tress}{\insrsid12715558\charrsid1725545 cut down by the appellant.}{\insrsid2102565\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid12715558\charrsid1725545 The appellant\rquote s case in the court below was that, he bought the suit land from Pascal Madonda and the former county Chief of Budadiri, Andrea Wandui in 1980 and 1987 respectively. \par By the time he bought the land, it was bare. He enjoyed quiet possession of the land until 1994, when the respondent sued him. \par \par }{\insrsid12533453\charrsid1725545 The retrial was conducted under civil suit No.185 of 1995 by His Worship G. M. Otto, Magistrate Grade I, who on 28/7/2003 decided in favour of the appellant. \par The respondent was dissatisfied with the judgment and }{\insrsid12715558\charrsid1725545 appealed to the High Court.}{\insrsid12533453\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid15009829\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid2382223\charrsid1725545 The learned appellate judge after considering the written submissions of both parties found that the respondent had on balance of probabilities proved that he bought the suit land in 1974.}{ \insrsid9183254\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid9121359\charrsid1725545 He set aside the judgment of the trial Magistrate and substituted it with one in favour of the respondent that the suit land belongs}{\insrsid11102898\charrsid1725545 to him. He ordered that the boundaries be re-established a long the same boundaries which the trial Magistrate\rquote s sketch map dated 7/1/2002 indicates as the boundary pointed over by the plaintiff (respondent).}{\insrsid9121359\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid12721453\charrsid1725545 That the appellant\rquote s survey marks cease having any effect as th}{\insrsid2585509\charrsid1725545 ey were planted on the }{\insrsid1313280\charrsid1725545 lan}{\insrsid2585509\charrsid1725545 d, while there was already a dispute. The learned appellate judge dismissed the appellant\rquote s appeal with costs hence this appeal on the following }{\insrsid3957657\charrsid1725545 grounds:}{\insrsid2585509\charrsid1725545 -}{ \insrsid12715558\charrsid1725545 \par }\pard \qj \fi-720\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\i\insrsid3034166\charrsid1725545 1.\tab The learned trial judge erred in law and in fact when he failed to evalua te the evidence properly or at all as a result of which he arrived at a decision which cannot be supported having regard to the evidence and probabilities of the case. \par }{\i\insrsid8400809\charrsid1725545 \par }{\b\i\insrsid3034166\charrsid1725545 2.\tab }{\b\i\insrsid8199716\charrsid1725545 The learned trial judge erred in law and in fact in holding that th}{\b\i\insrsid730315\charrsid1725545 e in}{\b\i\insrsid8199716\charrsid1725545 constancies a nd contradictions if any were to minor to adversely effect the plaintiff\rquote s case.}{\b\i\insrsid3034166\charrsid1725545 \par }{\b\i\insrsid8400809\charrsid1725545 \par }{\b\i\insrsid8199716\charrsid1725545 3.\tab The learned trial judge erred in law and fact in holding that the plaintiff had on a balance of probabilities proved that he pur}{\b\i\insrsid2391002\charrsid1725545 chased the disputed land from Ga}{ \b\i\insrsid8199716\charrsid1725545 mbwa and therefore he had a better and prior title to the defendant. \par }{\b\i\insrsid8400809\charrsid1725545 \par }{\b\i\insrsid15037447\charrsid1725545 4.\tab The decision of the learned trial judge has occasioned a miscarriage of justice. \par \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\insrsid15037447\charrsid1725545 He prayed this Court to allow the appeal set aside the judgment and orders of the lower court and enter judgment for the appellant with costs in this Court and below. \par }{\insrsid11013523\charrsid1725545 Counsel for both parties filed written submissions of their respective argument}{\insrsid11612207\charrsid1725545 s}{\insrsid11013523\charrsid1725545 of the grounds of appeal. \par The appellant\rquote s written submissions were filed b}{\insrsid14646424\charrsid1725545 y M/s Mbale Law Chambers and tho}{\insrsid11013523\charrsid1725545 se of the respondents by M/S Awori and Company Advocates. \par }{\insrsid12079499\charrsid1725545 In their written submission counsel for the both parties argued ground 1, 2 and 3 together and ground 4 }{\insrsid15537495\charrsid1725545 separately}{\insrsid12079499\charrsid1725545 in that order}{ \insrsid15537495\charrsid1725545 .}{\insrsid12079499\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid15537495\charrsid1725545 In this judgment, I shall handle the grounds of appeal in a similar manner. \par Regarding grounds 1, 2 and 3 appellant\rquote s counsel complained that the learned judge}{\insrsid3018712\charrsid1725545 did not properly re-evaluate the evidence. He argued the judge was wrong to hold that}{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 ,}{ \insrsid3018712\charrsid1725545 exhibit P1}{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 ,}{\insrsid3018712\charrsid1725545 the sale agreement between}{\insrsid7494315\charrsid1725545 the respondent and Gambwa was not subject to serious challenge. He submitted that the respondent did not know how Gambwa had acquired the land. Besides}{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 ,}{\insrsid7494315\charrsid1725545 t}{\insrsid16122742\charrsid1725545 here was no local c}{ \insrsid7494315\charrsid1725545 hief present, when the respondent was buying the land from Gambwa.}{\insrsid11013523\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid7494315\charrsid1725545 He argued}{\insrsid14698828\charrsid1725545 that there were serious contradictions and }{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 in}{\insrsid14698828\charrsid1725545 consistencies in the evidence for the respondent\rquote s case but these were not a}{\insrsid15009829\charrsid1725545 ddressed by the learned appella}{\insrsid16122742\charrsid1725545 t}{\insrsid15009829\charrsid1725545 e}{\insrsid14698828\charrsid1725545 judge.}{\insrsid7494315\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid11499695\charrsid1725545 \par Counsel criticized the judge for holding that because the respondent resisted the appellant occupation of the }{\insrsid7893741\charrsid1725545 land that}{\insrsid11499695\charrsid1725545 was evidence that he was the rightful owner of the land. \par Counsel submitted that the judge was wrong to hold that appellant bought land in unclear circumstances. \par }{\insrsid7893741\charrsid1725545 In support of his submissions, he relied on }{\b\ul\insrsid7893741\charrsid1725545 Muluta Joseph Vs Katama Sylvano, Civil Appeal No.11 of 1999 S C and John Okalebo Vs Eluluma S/o Abau and Petero Omoding [1978] HCB 200.

\par }{\insrsid7893741\charrsid1725545 In reply}{\insrsid2492465\charrsid1725545 ,}{\insrsid7893741\charrsid1725545 counsel for the respondent supported the judgement of the High Court. H}{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 e submitted the learned appella}{ \insrsid7893741\charrsid1725545 t}{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 e}{\insrsid7893741\charrsid1725545 judge}{\insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 was alive to the duties of the first appellate court to re}{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 -}{ \insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 appraise the evide}{\insrsid16122742\charrsid1725545 nce and mak}{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 e its own inferences of}{\insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 fact}{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 s}{ \insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 . Counsel argued }{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 that }{\insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 the judge relied on the authorities of }{\b\insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 Pandya V R [1957] E. A. 336 }{ \b\insrsid14564969\charrsid1725545 and}{\b\insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 Williamson Diamonds Ltd and Another Vs Brown [1970] E. A.}{\insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 and re}{\insrsid1840781\charrsid1725545 -}{\insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 evaluated the evidence.}{\insrsid7893741\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 He submitted that counsel for the appellant had not in his arguments ad}{\insrsid14564969\charrsid1725545 v}{\insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 anced any reasons to show how the first }{\insrsid2299435\charrsid1725545 appellate court committed errors while drawing inferences of fact that led to the conclusions under which he allowed the appeal. Counsel submitted that it was a non issue that th e respondent did not know how Gambwa acquired the land which he bought from him.}{\insrsid1209371\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid2299435\charrsid1725545 \par He submitted that the case of }{\b\insrsid2299435\charrsid1725545 Muluta Joseph Vs Katama Syilvono}{\b\insrsid14235553\charrsid1725545 }{\insrsid14235553\charrsid1725545 (supra)}{\insrsid2299435\charrsid1725545 is distinguishable from the instant appeal because in that authority the Supreme Court made a decision concerning the d}{\insrsid10355746\charrsid1725545 ealings in land between the parties to the suit, but the proceedings in the instant appeal concern encroachment on the customary land.}{\insrsid2299435\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid10355746\charrsid1725545 He further submitted that }{\b\insrsid10355746\charrsid1725545 Okalebo Vs}{\b\insrsid13309435\charrsid1725545 }{\b\insrsid13253059\charrsid1725545 Eluluma S/o Abau}{\b\insrsid13309435\charrsid1725545 & Peter Omonding}{ \insrsid13309435\charrsid1725545 (supra)}{\insrsid10355746\charrsid1725545 is distinguishable from the instant appeal because it deals with the sale of customary land. \par \par I ha}{\insrsid13309435\charrsid1725545 ve carefully perused the record}{\insrsid10355746\charrsid1725545 of appeal}{\insrsid13253059\charrsid1725545 ,}{\insrsid10355746\charrsid1725545 submissions by both counsel and the legal authorities quoted. \par The substance of the arguments in grounds 1, 2 and 3}{\insrsid13309435\charrsid1725545 is whether the learned appella}{\insrsid10355746\charrsid1725545 t}{\insrsid13309435\charrsid1725545 e}{\insrsid13253059\charrsid1725545 }{ \insrsid8136773\charrsid1725545 judge }{\insrsid13253059\charrsid1725545 properly re-ap}{\insrsid10355746\charrsid1725545 praised the evidence on record and came to }{\insrsid12864919\charrsid1725545 the }{\insrsid10355746\charrsid1725545 right conclusion that the respondent had proved his case that he is the owner of the suit}{\insrsid3016713\charrsid1725545 land.}{\insrsid918432\charrsid1725545 \par \par We are a second appellant court and we do not have the duty to re}{\insrsid12864919\charrsid1725545 -}{\insrsid918432\charrsid1725545 appraise the ev}{\insrsid11892741\charrsid1725545 idence unless the first appella}{\insrsid918432\charrsid1725545 t}{ \insrsid11892741\charrsid1725545 e}{\insrsid918432\charrsid1725545 court failed in its duty to do so.}{\insrsid10355746\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid10512179\charrsid1725545 \par As stated by Oder, JSC (RIP) in }{\b\insrsid10512179\charrsid1725545 Kifamu}{\b\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 n}{\b\insrsid10512179\charrsid1725545 te Henry Vs Uganda, Criminal Appeal No.10 of 1997 (SCU) \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri720\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\i\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 \'93It does not seem to us that except in the clearest of cases, we are required to re-evaluate t he evidence like a first appellate Court. On second appeal it is sufficient to decide whether the first appellat}{\b\i\insrsid11892741\charrsid1725545 e}{\b\i\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 court on approaching its task, applied or failed to apply such principle.}{\b\i\insrsid3034166\charrsid1725545 \par }{\b\i\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 See D. R. Pandya Vs R [1957] E. A. (supra), Kairu Vs Uganda [1978] HCB 123\'85\'85\'85. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri720\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\i\insrsid2585509\charrsid1725545 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri720\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin720\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\i\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 This Court will no doubt consider the f}{\b\i\insrsid14705637\charrsid1725545 acts of the appeal to the extent}{\b\i\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 of considering the relevant part of law or mixed law and fact }{\b\i\insrsid13325710\charrsid1725545 raised in any appeal. If we re}{\b\i\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 \endash evaluate the facts of each case whole-sale, we shall assume the duty of the firs t appellate court and create unnecessary uncertainty. We can interfere with the conclusions of the Court of Appeal if it appears that in consideration of the appeal, as a first appellate court, the Court of Appeal misapplied or failed to apply the princi ples set out in such decisions as }{\b\i\ul\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 Pandya}{\b\i\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 (supra), }{\b\i\ul\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 Ruwala}{\b\i\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 (supra) and }{ \b\i\ul\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 Kairu}{\b\i\insrsid12876277\charrsid1725545 (supra).\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri720\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin720\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\i\insrsid14705637\charrsid1725545 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\insrsid14705637\charrsid1725545 In the appeal before us the issue of evaluation of evidence was raised}{\insrsid14170493\charrsid1725545 by the respondent in his grounds 1, 2 and 3 of the appeal }{\insrsid5929261\charrsid1725545 to the High Court. The three grounds of appeal read}{\insrsid14170493\charrsid1725545 .}{\insrsid14705637\charrsid1725545 \par }\pard \qj \fi-720\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\i\insrsid15009829\charrsid1725545 1.\tab Because the learned Trial Magistrate formed unbalanced view of the case and in the result reached a conclusion in supportable by the evidence on record. \par \par 2.\tab Because the learned Trial Magistrate erred in law when he failed to appreciate the weight of bearing of the circumstances admitted or proved. \par \par 3.\tab Because the learned Trial Magistrate erred in law when he held that the appellant\rquote s case lacked equate proof. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\insrsid15009829\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid16192801\charrsid1725545 In dealing with }{\insrsid5929261\charrsid1725545 the}{\insrsid4750334\charrsid1725545 s}{\insrsid5929261\charrsid1725545 e}{\insrsid4750334\charrsid1725545 ground}{\insrsid15009829\charrsid1725545 s}{ \insrsid16192801\charrsid1725545 the learned appellate judge of the High Court relied}{\insrsid2835396\charrsid1725545 on the principles laid down i}{\insrsid16192801\charrsid1725545 n }{\b\insrsid16192801\charrsid1725545 Pandya V R}{ \insrsid16192801\charrsid1725545 (supra). He observed that he was not bound by the findings of the trial Magistrate but had }{\insrsid5929261\charrsid1725545 to }{\insrsid16192801\charrsid1725545 re- appraise the evidence and come to his own con}{ \insrsid15009829\charrsid1725545 clusion. }{\insrsid4750334\charrsid1725545 The learned judge scrutinized}{\insrsid16192801\charrsid1725545 the evidence of the respondent in which he stated that he bought the suit land in 1974 from Gambwa}{ \insrsid4750334\charrsid1725545 .}{\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 He found that his }{\insrsid5929261\charrsid1725545 case was supported by his }{\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 two witnesses namely}{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 ;}{ \insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 PW}{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 .2 }{\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 Willi}{\insrsid8400809\charrsid1725545 am Wambewo and PW3 Gidudu Stephe}{\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 n who wrote the sale agreement between Gambwa and respondent. This agreement was admitted in evidence as exhibit PI without challenge from the appellant.}{\insrsid16192801\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 \par The judge considered some of what appeared as inconsistencies in the respondent\rquote s case and found them to be minor or to }{\insrsid16738373\charrsid1725545 be }{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 no }{\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 inconstancies at all. For example whether the disputed land was 1}{\super\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 1}{\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 /}{\sub\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 2}{\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 acres or 2 acres the judge found it to be a person}{\insrsid15009829\charrsid1725545 al estimation of the size of un }{\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 surveyed land by the respondent who was a village resident and his witnesses William Wambewo who was of the}{\insrsid7340799\charrsid1725545 same status. The respondent and h}{\insrsid16738373\charrsid1725545 is witness}{\insrsid7340799\charrsid1725545 were over 60 years of age.}{\insrsid12398627\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid7340799\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 The appella}{\insrsid7340799\charrsid1725545 t}{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 e}{\insrsid7340799\charrsid1725545 judge also found that the respondent bought the disputed land at 650/=. He first paid a deposit of 200/= and the balance was paid late}{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 r}{\insrsid7340799\charrsid1725545 as endorsed on the sale agreement}{ \insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 ,}{\insrsid7340799\charrsid1725545 exhibit P1. \par \par On whether the respondent ha}{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 d}{\insrsid7340799\charrsid1725545 two agreements of the }{\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 sale of the disputed land the j}{\insrsid7340799\charrsid1725545 udge reappraised the evidence on record and concluded that the respondent had two pieces of land. \par H}{\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 e bought on}{\insrsid16738373\charrsid1725545 e}{\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 from Stephen Gambwa in 1974 and another from Saulo in 1972 and in cross examination clarified that he had only one agreement concerning the disputed land. \par \par The judge stat}{\insrsid16738373\charrsid1725545 ed this at P.7 of his judgment.}{\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid12873813\charrsid1725545 At the end of his cross-examination he clarified: - \par }{\i\insrsid12873813\charrsid1725545 \'93I only have one agreement as regards the land in dispute\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\b\i\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 \'93Rather th}{\b\i\insrsid12873813\charrsid1725545 an a calling it a contradi ction, the above statement, in my view, is a clarification of the plaintiff\rquote s earlier evidence. It appears to me from the evidence on the whole on the record that though the plaintiff mentioned two pieces of land in his plaint and at the beginning of his evidence -in-chief, the dispute in this case concerned only one piece which he bought from Stephen Gambwa in 1974 and not the one he bought from Saulo Gibusibwa }{\b\i\insrsid5656854\charrsid1725545 in}{\b\i\insrsid12873813\charrsid1725545 1972. This becomes more apparent when the land claimed by the plaintiff is claimed by the defendant (evidence of the defendant, DW.1 and DW.3) to have also been sold by the same Stephen Gambwa and eventually ended up being bought by the defendant on 12/8/80 and on 1/8/87 from DW.2 and from DW.3\rquote s father.\'94}{\b\i\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 With due respect to counsel}{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 ,}{\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 the learned judge did not solely rely on the appellant\rquote s complaint to the RCs and Grade II Court at Mutufu as proof of ownership of the disputed land by the respondent.}{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 }{\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 The judge took it as further evidence of his ownership. \par \par The learned judge considere}{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 d the evidence of the appellant}{\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 and }{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 his witnesses and weighted}{\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 it against that of the respondent}{\insrsid1449898\charrsid1725545 . He found that according to the appellant}{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 \rquote }{\insrsid1449898\charrsid1725545 s evidence, he bought the disputed land from Madanda}{ \insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 ,}{\insrsid1449898\charrsid1725545 DW2}{\insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 ,}{\insrsid1449898\charrsid1725545 on 12/08/80. DW2 claimed to have bought the land on 1/4/72 fro}{\insrsid12145864\charrsid1725545 m Stephen Gambwa. However, DW2}{\insrsid1449898\charrsid1725545 did }{\insrsid12145864\charrsid1725545 not bring}{\insrsid1449898\charrsid1725545 to court evidence to prove his purchase.}{\insrsid14484585\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid1449898\charrsid1725545 \par Counsel for the appellant }{\insrsid2835396\charrsid1725545 is }{\insrsid1449898\charrsid1725545 complaint that the learned appellate judge was wrong to hold that the appellant bought land in very suspicious circumstances is not justified.}{ \insrsid6042196\charrsid1725545 The judge considered the fact that the pieces of land the appellant bought were adjacent to the respondent}{\insrsid13853347\charrsid1725545 \rquote }{\insrsid6042196\charrsid1725545 s land. However, the respondent was not informed at the time of the alleged purchase of the land by the appellant and no inquiries were made }{\insrsid10773842\charrsid1725545 from the}{\insrsid6042196\charrsid1725545 respondent}{ \insrsid14427271\charrsid1725545 about the land}{\insrsid6042196\charrsid1725545 .}{\insrsid1449898\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid6042196\charrsid1725545 The judge found that the respondent had bought the land prior to the appellant\rquote s alleged purchase of the same. He found that the respondent had proved his case on balance of probabilities. \par \par }{\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 I am of the considered view that the judge properly re\endash appraised the evidence}{\insrsid10773842\charrsid1725545 .}{\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid10773842\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 In view of }{\insrsid10773842\charrsid1725545 my finds on grounds 1, 2, and 3, n}{\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 o miscarriage of justice was caused. \par I would dismiss the appeal with costs to the respondent here and in the court}{\insrsid10773842\charrsid1725545 s}{\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 below. \par \par }{\b\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 Dated at Kampala this\'85}{\b\insrsid11629244\charrsid1725545 20}{\b\super\insrsid11629244\charrsid1725545 th}{\b\insrsid11629244\charrsid1725545 }{\b\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 ..day of\'85}{ \b\insrsid11629244\charrsid1725545 November}{\b\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 \'852009. \par }{\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 \par \par }{\b\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 C. N. B. Kitumba \par }{\b\caps\ul\insrsid11629244\charrsid1725545 Justice Court of Appeal}{\caps\insrsid10485933\charrsid1725545 \par }{\caps\insrsid8258111\charrsid1725545 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\shad\ul\insrsid8258111\charrsid1725545 JUDGMENT OF A. E. N. MPAGI-BAHIGEINE, JA. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\caps\insrsid8258111\charrsid1725545 \par }{\insrsid8258111\charrsid1725545 I have perused the judgment prepared by Kitumba, JA I agree with her evaluation of the evidence and conclusion. \par }{\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 \par T}{\insrsid8258111\charrsid1725545 he evidence on record clearly establishes the respondent\rquote s undoubted claim over the suit land. \par }{\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 \par I would therefore dismiss the appeal with costs. \par Since my Lord Byamugisha also agrees, the appeal stands be dismissed with cists here and below as proposed in the lead judgment. \par \par Dated at Kampala this..}{\b\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 20}{\b\super\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 th}{\b\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 }{\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 \'85day of \'85}{\b\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 November}{ \insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 \'852009 \par \par A. E. N. MPAGI-BAHIGEINE, \par JUSTICE OF APPEAL \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\shad\ul\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 JUDGEMENT OF C. K. BYAMUGISHA, JA. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1725545 {\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 \par I have the advantage of reading in draft from the judgment that Kitumba JA prepared, I agree with the reasons she has given in dismissing the appeal. I have nothing useful to add. \par \par Dated at Kampala this..}{\b\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 20}{\b\super\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 th}{\b\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 }{\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 \'85day of \'85}{\b\insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 November}{ \insrsid7163942\charrsid1725545 \'852009 \par \par \par C. K. Byamugisha \par Justice of Appeal \par }}