Uganda Vs. Mubinge Steven (Crim. Appeal No. 17 of 2008) [2010] UGHC 107 (19 August 2010)

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{\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT JINJA \par CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 0017 OF 2008 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 \par }{\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 UGANDA ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid4471797\charrsid1272450 ::::::::::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 APPELLANT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 VERSUS \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 MUBINGE STEVEN:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid4471797\charrsid1272450 ::::::::::::::} {\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 RESPONDENT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 \par }{\b\i\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 [Appeal from the Decision of Kintu Simon Zirintusa Esq. \par (Magistrate}{\b\i\insrsid7621289\charrsid1272450 GI}{\b\i\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 ) dated the 14}{\b\i\super\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 th}{\b\i\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 April 2008, \par in Iganga Criminal Case No. 0190 of 2007]}{\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 BEFORE: }{\b\ul\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 HON. LADY JUSTICE IRENE MULYAGONJA KAKOOZA \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid12456824\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\b\insrsid12404372\charrsid1272450 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid12456824\charrsid1272450 This appeal arose from the decision of Kintu Simon Zirintusa, Esq. sitting as }{ \insrsid5850143\charrsid1272450 the }{\insrsid12456824\charrsid1272450 Grade I Magistrate at Iganga Chief Magistrates Court, in which he acquitted the respondent on three counts of theft. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed against the acquittal.

\par \par The case for the prosecution in the lower court was that the respondent was }{\insrsid5444759\charrsid1272450 a Parish Chief of Namalemba Parish and an employee of Iganga District Local Government}{\insrsid5713684\charrsid1272450 (Iganga DLG)}{ \insrsid5444759\charrsid1272450 . Sometime in 2002, he and several other chiefs were laid off by the District Service Commission at Iganga. They claimed arrears of salaries that had not been paid to them. The ex-employees formed an association to pursue their claims from Iganga }{\insrsid5713684\charrsid1272450 DLG}{\insrsid5444759\charrsid1272450 and the respondent was appointed the Chairperson of the Association. Through M/s Okalang Law Chambers of Jinja, they filed suits against }{\insrsid5713684\charrsid1272450 Iganga DLG}{\insrsid5444759\charrsid1272450 . The suits, H. C. C. S 51 and 52 of 2001 were settled and Iganga District Local Government agreed to pay the arrears due to the plaintiffs. The monies were transmitted through Okalang law Chambers who in turn handed the }{\insrsid8867863\charrsid1272450 monies }{\insrsid5444759\charrsid1272450 to the respondent to pay the various plaintiffs. \par \par The complainant}{\insrsid8867863\charrsid1272450 s}{\insrsid5444759\charrsid1272450 , }{\insrsid7754940\charrsid1272450 Magumba Samuel, Wandera Amisi and Naigaga Hadija claimed that though they were also entitled to be paid, they did not receive their dues. }{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 Magumba Samuel claimed shs 1,296,929/=, Naigaga Hadija claimed }{ \insrsid11888639\charrsid1272450 shs }{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 963,000/= while Wandera Amisi claimed shs 1,048,824/=. }{\insrsid7754940\charrsid1272450 When they tried to}{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 claim their dues from }{ \insrsid7754940\charrsid1272450 Iganga DLG they were informed that their }{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 money}{\insrsid7754940\charrsid1272450 had been remitted to Okalang Law Chambers and that the respondent was supposed to have paid them. }{ \insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 On inquiring from the respondent what had happened to the money he insisted that he had paid them. They then lodged a complaint with the police and the respondent was arrested and charged on three counts of theft.}{ \insrsid12456824\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 \par The respondent denied all three cou nts of the charge. He testified that though he received money from Okalang Law Chambers, a mistake was made and several persons who were not members of the Association were paid, leaving out others who were entitled to payment }{ \insrsid8867863\charrsid1272450 following}{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 the}{\insrsid11994118\charrsid1272450 consent order}{\insrsid8867863\charrsid1272450 s}{\insrsid11994118\charrsid1272450 in the}{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 suit}{ \insrsid8867863\charrsid1272450 s}{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 . }{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 Further t}{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 hat when }{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 Mr. Okalang realised that an error had been made, he instructed the respondent to stop paying. He also advised that another suit be filed on behalf of those who had not been party to the previous suit}{\insrsid8867863\charrsid1272450 s}{ \insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 so that they could also recover their salary arrears. The respondent further stated that the ex-employees who had no}{\insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 t been paid elected one Abdulla}{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 Oboth and they filed a suit against I}{\insrsid1647568\charrsid1272450 ganga DLG through}{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 M/s Okalang Law Chambers. }{\insrsid1647568\charrsid1272450 According to the}{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 respondent the complaints were some of th}{\insrsid1647568\charrsid1272450 e ex-employees included in the list of persons that }{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 were to }{\insrsid11888639\charrsid1272450 file}{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 a fresh }{ \insrsid425789\charrsid1272450 suit}{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid11888639\charrsid1272450 against}{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 Iganga DLG.}{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 \par The trial magistrate believe}{\insrsid7757056\charrsid1272450 d the respondent and acquitted him on all three counts of theft. The DPP appealed and raised three grounds of appeal as follows: \par \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7757056\charrsid1272450 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li720\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin-360\lin720\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid7757056\charrsid1272450 The learned trial magistrate erred }{\insrsid15074357\charrsid1272450 in law and fact in failing to evaluate the entire evidence on }{\insrsid6965734\charrsid1272450 record hence}{\insrsid15074357\charrsid1272450 arriving at a wrong decision. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15074357\charrsid1272450 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}The learned trial magistrate erred in law and fact in not addressing all pieces of the prosecution evidenc e like the list prepared by the respondent which he submitted to PW3 in which he claimed that PW1, PW2 and }{\insrsid8867863\charrsid1272450 PW4 }{\insrsid15074357\charrsid1272450 were among the people he paid which was not correct, thereby arriving at a wrong decision. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid15074357\charrsid1272450 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}The trial magistrate misdirected himself on the evidence before him in holding }{\insrsid9591571\charrsid1272450 that efforts were under way to recover money from people who were wrongly paid thus making a wrong decision. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9591571\charrsid1272450 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 4.\tab}The trial magistrate erred in law in not ensuring that the trial was conducted fairly and competently thus causing a mistrial.}{ \insrsid7757056\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid1261128\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid9591571\charrsid1272450 \par The prosecution then prayed that the appeal be allowed and the acquittal be substituted with a conviction}{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 ; }{\insrsid9591571\charrsid1272450 and in the alternative}{\insrsid12455594\charrsid1272450 ,}{ \insrsid9591571\charrsid1272450 that }{\insrsid6965734\charrsid1272450 this court orders a}{\insrsid9591571\charrsid1272450 retrial before another magistrate.}{\insrsid9506595\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid13650847\charrsid1272450 \par When the appeal was called on for hearing on the }{\insrsid13966666\charrsid1272450 2/04/2009, the respondent}{\insrsid12455594\charrsid1272450 appeared }{\i\insrsid12455594\charrsid1272450 pro se}{\i\insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 . }{ \insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 He informed }{\insrsid13966666\charrsid1272450 court that he had a written defence prepared in the appeal which he submitted}{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 .}{\insrsid13966666\charrsid1272450 }{ \insrsid89886\charrsid1272450 As}{\insrsid13966666\charrsid1272450 a result, I ordered that the prosecution file written submissions}{\insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 as well}{\insrsid13966666\charrsid1272450 . The DPP then filed written submissions on 06/04/2009.}{\insrsid89886\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid13505452\charrsid1272450 The}{\insrsid89886\charrsid1272450 respondent filed a }{\insrsid4862983\charrsid1272450 rejoinder }{\insrsid89886\charrsid1272450 thereto on 23/04/2009.}{\insrsid13650847\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid220149\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\faauto\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid220149\charrsid1272450 With regard to grounds 1 and 2 of the appeal, Mr. Sewankambo Hamza (RSA) submitted that the duty of the prosecution was to prove that there was fraudulent conversion of something that was capable of being stolen}{\insrsid5770745\charrsid1272450 }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5770745\charrsid1272450 or conversion of something capable of being stolen to the use of any person other than the general or special owner thereof. He relied on the decision in the case of }{ \b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5770745\charrsid1272450 Mwakapesile v. R. [1965] EA. 407}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5770745\charrsid1272450 where it was stated that when a person re ceives money on behalf of another, the money is deemed to be the property of the person on whose behalf it is received}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 . Applying the principle to the case at hand he submitted}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5770745\charrsid1272450 that}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5864708\charrsid1272450 the prosecution had proved the offence against }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid16326275\charrsid1272450 t}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5864708\charrsid1272450 he respondent because of the testimonies of PW1, PW2, PW4 and PW5. }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid16326275\charrsid1272450 He }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 thus concluded}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid16326275\charrsid1272450 that the trial magistrate\rquote s finding that the respondent did not convert the money to his own use was wrong.}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5864708\charrsid1272450 \par \par Turning to ground 3 of the appeal, Mr. Sewankambo submitted that the trial magistrate erred when he came to the conclusion that efforts were underway to recover money that had been wrongly}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid8394236\charrsid1272450 paid}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5864708\charrsid1272450 to persons that were not party to the suit}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid16326275\charrsid1272450 . That though}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13721922\charrsid1272450 the respondent named the complainants as persons who had been paid in }{\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13721922\charrsid1272450 Exh. P}{ \b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid16326275\charrsid1272450 1}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid16326275\charrsid1272450 , the}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5864708\charrsid1272450 testimonies}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid8394236\charrsid1272450 }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid16326275\charrsid1272450 o f all three complainants were that they were not paid. Further that the respondent had failed to prove that there were any efforts underway to recover the complainant\rquote s dues because he withdrew the copy of the plaint that he had }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 produced }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid16326275\charrsid1272450 to prove }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid9648563\charrsid1272450 that}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid16326275\charrsid1272450 allegation. That as a result the respondent\rquote s allegation was not supported }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid9648563\charrsid1272450 by}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid16326275\charrsid1272450 any evidence.}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid9713483\charrsid1272450 \par \par }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11100346\charrsid1272450 With regard to grounds 1 and 2, t}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid9713483\charrsid1272450 he respondent who filed his submissions earlier than the appellant\rquote s counsel contended that the prosecution failed to prove that the }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11686886\charrsid1272450 complainants}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid9713483\charrsid1272450 were entitled to be paid}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 . He argued so}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid9713483\charrsid1272450 because}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 in his }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 opinion}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid9713483\charrsid1272450 no evidence was adduced to show that they were party to the suit in which a settlement was reached and money paid to Okalang Law Chambers on behalf of the plaintiffs. }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11686886\charrsid1272450 He further }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid9713483\charrsid1272450 submitted that theft was not proved against him because }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 PW5}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11686886\charrsid1272450 (Mr. Okalang)}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid9713483\charrsid1272450 testified that the complainants were in the list of people who had been paid but who were not on the court list.}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11686886\charrsid1272450 Further that the complainants were not entitled to the money in issue because it did not belong to them. That the trial magistrate was correct when he found that }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7150104\charrsid1272450 there }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11686886\charrsid1272450 was no evidence }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7150104\charrsid1272450 to prove }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11686886\charrsid1272450 that the respondent converted the money to his use so as to amount to theft.}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7150104\charrsid1272450 The respondent thus concluded that the trial magistrate exhaustively evaluated all the evidence on the record and arrived at }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 a correct}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid7150104\charrsid1272450 decision.}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 \par }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13523997\charrsid1272450 \par In his reply to the appellant\rquote s submissions, the respondent contended that the authority cited by the appellant }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 on the definition of}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13523997\charrsid1272450 theft was not useful to their case because the }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 complainants}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13523997\charrsid1272450 were not party to the suit and therefore none of the money that he received from Okalang Law Chambers belonged to them. Further that the list of names in }{ \b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13523997\charrsid1272450 Exh. P1}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13523997\charrsid1272450 clearly showed that the complainants were not party to the suit.}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid10897728\charrsid1272450 That according to the testimony of PW5 the money that was wrongly paid to the persons in }{\b\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid10897728\charrsid1272450 Exh. P1}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid10897728\charrsid1272450 was to be recovered from them and paid to the rightful owners. He reiterated that the prosecution should have produced the plaint in the suit to show that the complai nants were some of the judgment creditors. In conclusion, the respondent charged that the appeal was a desperate attempt by the prosecution to make out a case that they failed to prove in the lower court and to make }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 him }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid10897728\charrsid1272450 pay mon}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 ey}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid10897728\charrsid1272450 to persons who were not party to the suit. }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid13523997\charrsid1272450 \par }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11100346\charrsid1272450 \par }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 Turning}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11100346\charrsid1272450 to ground three the respondent submitted that the question of recovery of money from people who were wrongly paid was not in issue }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 in }{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11100346\charrsid1272450 the case. Further that it was not the basis of his acquittal. That as a result, the trial magistrate properly acquitted}{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 him}{ \lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid11100346\charrsid1272450 of the charges. \par }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 Since this is a first appeal the appellant is entitled to have the whole evidence submitted to fresh scrutiny so that this court weighs}{\insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 any}{\insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 conflicting evidence and arrives at its own conclusions }{\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 \{}{\b\insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 Okero v. Republic [1972] EA}{\b\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 \}}{\b\insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 .}{ \insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 In so doing an allowance should be made for the fact }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 that }{\insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 the trial court had the advantage of hearing and seeing the witnesses }{ \insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 \{}{\b\insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 Peters v. Sunday Post, [1958] EA. 424}{\insrsid12396447\charrsid1272450 \}}{\insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 . \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\faauto\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5864708\charrsid1272450 }{\lang1033\langfe1033\langnp1033\insrsid5770745\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid14314741\charrsid1272450 On perusal of the }{\insrsid10361776\charrsid1272450 memorandum}{\insrsid14314741\charrsid1272450 of appeal I came to the conclusion that the grounds of appeal where only two as follows: \par }{\insrsid5309309\charrsid1272450 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-360\li720\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin-360\lin720\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 The}{\insrsid14314741\charrsid1272450 trial magistrate erred when he failed to evaluate all the evidence}{ \insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 on record and as a result came to a }{\insrsid14314741\charrsid1272450 wrong decision}{\insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 . \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}The trial magistrate erred when he failed to ensure that the trial }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 was }{ \insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 conducted fairly and competently and thus occasioned a mistrial. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid1790318\charrsid1272450 However, }{\insrsid13505452\charrsid1272450 in the written submission filed by the DPP, ground }{ \insrsid13523997\charrsid1272450 4 of}{\insrsid13505452\charrsid1272450 the appeal }{\insrsid13523997\charrsid1272450 (which I reframed as ground 2 above) }{\insrsid13505452\charrsid1272450 was abandoned. }{\insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 I will therefore address }{\insrsid13505452\charrsid1272450 ground 1 }{\insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 as re-framed}{\insrsid13505452\charrsid1272450 above}{\insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 and }{\insrsid13505452\charrsid1272450 in the process}{ \insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 I will address the }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 questions}{\insrsid12063953\charrsid1272450 that were raised in grounds 2 and 3 of the appeal}{\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 as follows: \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 i)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-576\li1152\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar \jclisttab\tx1152\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls3\adjustright\rin-360\lin1152\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 Did }{\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 the trial magistrate }{\insrsid12415493\charrsid1272450 properly }{ \insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 address}{\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 his mind to the list of persons that }{\insrsid12415493\charrsid1272450 the }{\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 respondent claimed to have wrongly paid (}{ \b\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 Exh. P1}{\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 ).}{\insrsid684949\charrsid1272450 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 ii)\tab}}{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 Was }{\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 the evidence that there wer e efforts to ensure that ex-employees of Iganga DLG who were not paid got their dues pertinent to the case}{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 ? If}{\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 so }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 was }{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 the }{\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 fact proved}{\insrsid11872484\charrsid1272450 by the responden}{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 t?}{\insrsid12660569\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid220149\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid8605183\charrsid1272450 In order to prove theft, the prosecution must prove three ingredients. First of all, there must be pr operty capable of being stolen. Secondly, the property must be proved to have belonged to some person. Finally, the accused person must be proved to have appropriated that property with the intention of permanently depriving its owner}{ \insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 of it}{\insrsid8605183\charrsid1272450 .}{\insrsid8146285\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid8146285\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid8146285\charrsid1272450 In order to prove th}{\insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 e ingredients of the offence}{ \insrsid8146285\charrsid1272450 , the prosecution relied on the testimonies of PW1, PW2 and PW4 }{\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 (the complainants) }{\insrsid8146285\charrsid1272450 and PW3, the Chief Finance Office}{\insrsid4862983\charrsid1272450 r}{ \insrsid8146285\charrsid1272450 of Iganga DLG.}{\insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 Magumba Samuel (PW1)}{\insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 testified that he was party to a suit to claim salary arrears from the District}{ \insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 and}{\insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 that the respondent }{\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 led the plaintiffs in that}{\insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 process. That they}{\insrsid8605183\charrsid1272450 }{ \insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 were successful in the suit and Iganga DLG agreed to pay }{\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 them }{\insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 through the firm of Okalang}{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 Law Chambers}{ \insrsid4862983\charrsid1272450 . Further that w}{\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 hen the firm received the money they entrusted the}{\insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 respondent }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 with the responsibility }{ \insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 to distribute it}{\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid4862983\charrsid1272450 among }{\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 the }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 various }{\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 claimants}{ \insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 . Further that he learnt from the Chief }{\insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 Administrative}{\insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 Officer (CAO) that the money went to Okalang Law Chambers and Mr. Okalang told him that he was on the list of 103 persons}{\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 to be paid}{\insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 . Further that he was shown a list }{ \insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 made by the respondent which}{\insrsid4619506\charrsid1272450 indicated that he received his share}{\insrsid15226447\charrsid1272450 . That }{\insrsid9568730\charrsid1272450 he was No. 22 on that}{ \insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 list but he did not get }{\insrsid9568730\charrsid1272450 his}{\insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 money. It was also PW1\rquote s testimony that the respondent }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 later }{ \insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 told him }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 that }{\insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 there would be no money unless they sued the District.}{\insrsid16200915\charrsid1272450 On a clarification by court, PW1 stated that there were 3 people who did not get their money and they had documents claiming the money. }{\insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid16200915\charrsid1272450 \par \par }{\insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 PW1 was cross-examined very briefly by the respondent. He insisted that he asked the respondent about his money but it was apparent that he did not get a favourable response}{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 from him}{ \insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 . \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid1903414\charrsid1272450 Naigaga Hadija (PW2) said that she knew the respondent as the Chairman of the staff who were laid off.}{ \insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 That she did not get her money and she complained to the CAO. Further that }{\insrsid9568730\charrsid1272450 when she complained }{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 the CAO gave her a list of people who were paid}{\insrsid9568730\charrsid1272450 . That }{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 her name was on }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 that }{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 list but she }{ \insrsid9568730\charrsid1272450 did}{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 not receive her }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 money}{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 . Further that she was supposed to get the money from Okalang}{\insrsid4471797\charrsid1272450 (Law }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 Chambers}{\insrsid4471797\charrsid1272450 )}{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 but }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 Mr. Okalang }{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 told her that the Chairman took it }{ \insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 from there }{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 and distributed}{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid4862983\charrsid1272450 it }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 to the various claimants}{\insrsid283954\charrsid1272450 . That }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 when she approached}{\insrsid283954\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 the Chairman }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 he }{\insrsid408022\charrsid1272450 told her that he did not have her money}{ \insrsid8654622\charrsid1272450 . That she was No.23 on the list (of people who }{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 were said to have }{\insrsid8654622\charrsid1272450 been paid) but she did not get her money}{\insrsid6761452\charrsid1272450 which was}{ \insrsid8654622\charrsid1272450 shs 963,000/=. When the respondent cross-examined PW2 she said }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 that though }{\insrsid8654622\charrsid1272450 she went to }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 him to follow up her claim,}{ \insrsid8654622\charrsid1272450 the respondent insisted that she had }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 had already been paid.}{\insrsid6887399\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid9568730\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid6510173\charrsid1272450 Wandera Amisi testified as PW4. He stated that he t oo was a Parish Chief and he knew the respondent who became their Chairman when he was claiming his salary arrears of shs 1,488,240/=. That he went to the Chairman several times but he never received }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 his }{ \insrsid6510173\charrsid1272450 money. On cross-examination by the respondent he }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 insisted }{\insrsid6510173\charrsid1272450 that he }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 was among the persons who }{ \insrsid6510173\charrsid1272450 went to court with him. }{\insrsid6174551\charrsid1272450 That}{\insrsid6510173\charrsid1272450 the money was given to }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 Mr. }{\insrsid6510173\charrsid1272450 Okalang but he did not get his share. He }{\insrsid6174551\charrsid1272450 produced }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 various }{\insrsid6174551\charrsid1272450 documents}{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 to support this claim}{ \insrsid6174551\charrsid1272450 , i.e. }{\insrsid6510173\charrsid1272450 payment vouchers as well as }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 memoranda of }{\insrsid6510173\charrsid1272450 acknowledgement}{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 of receipt}{ \insrsid6510173\charrsid1272450 in respect of the money received by M/s Okalang}{\insrsid6174551\charrsid1272450 Law Chambers. The documents were admitted}{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 in evidence and marked}{\insrsid6174551\charrsid1272450 P}{ \insrsid926965\charrsid1272450 X}{\insrsid6174551\charrsid1272450 1, P}{\insrsid926965\charrsid1272450 X}{\insrsid6174551\charrsid1272450 2 and P}{\insrsid926965\charrsid1272450 X}{\insrsid6174551\charrsid1272450 3.}{\insrsid6510173\charrsid1272450

\par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid926965\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid11428052\charrsid1272450 I examined the documents produced by the prosecution to prove their case. }{ \b\insrsid11428052\charrsid1272450 Exh. P1}{\insrsid11428052\charrsid1272450 was a list of names of people that were said to have been paid but who were not on the court list.}{\insrsid291862\charrsid1272450 The list was signed by Mubinge Stephen as }{ \insrsid12327273\charrsid1272450 the District Chairman of Iganga-}{\insrsid291862\charrsid1272450 Mayuge D. P. C. A.}{\insrsid4092342\charrsid1272450 It was submitted in court attached to a letter dated 19/9/2006 from M/s Okalang Law Chambers to the CAO Ig anga District.}{\insrsid291862\charrsid1272450 In the letter, M/s Okalang Law Chambers informed the CAO as follows: \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid291862\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li720\ri360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin360\lin720\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\i\insrsid13191792\charrsid1272450 \'93}{\i\insrsid291862\charrsid1272450 Our clients\rquote leader however made an error in good faith and}{\i\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 paid}{\i\insrsid291862\charrsid1272450 people on first come basis instead of following the court list and as a result people who were not in the court list were paid. Attached hereto are those persons not in the court list }{\i\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 (who) }{\i\insrsid291862\charrsid1272450 were paid to the total }{\i\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 (}{\i\insrsid291862\charrsid1272450 tune }{\i\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 )}{\i\insrsid291862\charrsid1272450 of shs 34,356,671/= (Thirty four million three hundred fifty six thousand six hundred seventy one shillings}{\i\insrsid13191792\charrsid1272450 }{\i\insrsid291862\charrsid1272450 only}{\i\insrsid13191792\charrsid1272450 ).}{\i\insrsid11428052\charrsid1272450 \par }{\i\insrsid13191792\charrsid1272450 \par That when we realised the error, subsequently, we directed the leaders to follow the court list and now 19 people in the list have not been paid a total of shs 30,615,238/= (Thirty million six hundred fifteen thousand two hundred thirty eight shillings only) and their names are a ttached hereto. You realize that a problem is the money which was paid to the persons who were not on the list.\'94 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid220149\charrsid1272450 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri-360\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin-360\lin0\itap0\pararsid1272450 {\insrsid4471797\charrsid1272450 In the list of people that Mubinge Stephen led }{\insrsid15743639\charrsid1272450 Mr. }{ \insrsid4471797\charrsid1272450 Okalang to believe that he had paid by }{\insrsid15743639\charrsid1272450 mistake}{\insrsid4471797\charrsid1272450 , }{\insrsid12327273\charrsid1272450 Magumba, Wabwire and Naigaga}{\insrsid4471797\charrsid1272450 appeared as No. 20, 22 and 23}{\insrsid12327273\charrsid1272450 , respectively}{\insrsid4471797\charrsid1272450 . \par }{\insrsid4028241\charrsid1272450 \par Robert Okalang testified as PW5. He told court that there was a suit, C/S No. 051/2002 in which 183 people sued Iganga }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 DLG}{\insrsid4028241\charrsid1272450 . That the suit was settled and }{ \insrsid4862983\charrsid1272450 plaintiffs\rquote arrears }{\insrsid4028241\charrsid1272450 remitted to his firm through Nile Law Chambers, th e Advocates for the District. That two people, the respondent and one Mawulire, collected the money from his firm and paid it to the various plaintiffs. Further that after several payments these two made a report to inform him of people they had paid. He f urther testified that when he saw the report, he realised that money was paid to people who were not on his list. He also told court that when this happened he stopped Mawulire and the respondent from making further payments. He also advised them to recov er money from people who had been wrongly paid. PW5 testified that the complainants were Nos. 20, 22 and 23 on the list of people that were paid but who were not on the court list. \par \par The respondent did not cross-examine PW5. Neither did he seriously challenge}{\insrsid1456587\charrsid1272450 PW2}{\insrsid4028241\charrsid1272450 on }{\insrsid1456587\charrsid1272450 her}{\insrsid4028241\charrsid1272450 testimony that }{ \insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 when she approached him to follow up her claim}{\insrsid684949\charrsid1272450 ,}{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 he (the }{\insrsid1456587\charrsid1272450 respondent}{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 )}{ \insrsid4028241\charrsid1272450 insisted that he had }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 already }{\insrsid4028241\charrsid1272450 paid }{\insrsid1456587\charrsid1272450 her. I therefore came to the conclusion that the respondent somehow converted the money that he represented to Mr. Okalang th at he paid to the complainants. In effect, the trial magistrate underestimated the effect of the list of persons said to have been paid in error}{\insrsid10165654\charrsid1272450 . The list was an effort by the respondent to fraudulently account }{ \insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 to M/s Okalang Law Chambers }{\insrsid10165654\charrsid1272450 for the monies that he had received. The trial magistrate}{\insrsid1456587\charrsid1272450 therefore arrived at a wrong decision}{ \insrsid10165654\charrsid1272450 about the respondent\rquote s guilt}{\insrsid1456587\charrsid1272450 .}{\insrsid4028241\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid4599166\charrsid1272450 \par I also examined the documents that were produced by PW4 }{\insrsid9112666\charrsid1272450 and admitted in evidence }{\insrsid4599166\charrsid1272450 as }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 PX1, }{\insrsid4599166\charrsid1272450 PX2 and PX3}{ \insrsid9639749\charrsid1272450 .}{\insrsid14158733\charrsid1272450 PX1 consisted of documents in respect of payments to }{\insrsid5461748\charrsid1272450 Magumba Samuel. There was a schedule that showed that on 22/06/05, 21/12/05 and 24/01/06, a total of shs 1,207,908/= was paid to Magumba through Okalang Law Chambers. That the money was paid vide cheques 001305, 001371, 000945 and 000663.}{ \insrsid7950972\charrsid1272450 There was supporting evidence to show that the cheques which included Magumba\rquote s }{\insrsid13306943\charrsid1272450 payments}{\insrsid7950972\charrsid1272450 were received by M/s Okalang Law Chambers on 30/06/2005, 28/12/2005 }{\insrsid13306943\charrsid1272450 and 11}{\insrsid7950972\charrsid1272450 /01/2006 and }{\insrsid3547959\charrsid1272450 that they were subsequently }{\insrsid7950972\charrsid1272450 banked on the}{\insrsid3547959\charrsid1272450 firm\rquote s}{\insrsid7950972\charrsid1272450 clients\rquote account.}{\insrsid14158733\charrsid1272450 \par \par }{\insrsid1903173\charrsid1272450 PX2 was a group of documents in respect of Wandera Amisi. It showed that on 2/09/05}{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 ,}{\insrsid1903173\charrsid1272450 M/s Okalang Law Chambers received cheque No. 001149 of Stanbic Bank Iganga Branch for shs 10,353,492/=. }{\insrsid14158733\charrsid1272450 Further t}{\insrsid1903173\charrsid1272450 hat the same was banked in their account No. 0104792901 (Clients\rquote Account). There was also a part of a schedule for Makutu sub-county which showed that shs 418,440/=}{\insrsid2570215\charrsid1272450 on cheque 1149 was paid through Okalang Law Chambers for the benefit of Wandera Amisi.}{ \insrsid16664476\charrsid1272450 Similar evidence was contained in PX3 in respect of }{\insrsid8939377\charrsid1272450 several payments that had been made for the benefit of }{\insrsid16664476\charrsid1272450 Naigaga Hadija.}{ \insrsid4028241\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid9112666\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid10909363\charrsid1272450 Ezra Lwabuhinda (PW3) was the Chief Finance Officer of Iganga DLG. He testified that he had the complainants and the respondent in his records though he did not know them personally. That the respondent was a Pari sh Chief and he and the complainants were laid off. He further testified that because the District owed them money they filed a suit in court. That they were successful in the suit and the District agreed to pay them through their lawyer-Okalang. That shs 10m was remitted per month. The respondent did not cross-examine PW3}{\insrsid7079484\charrsid1272450 which would mean that all that he said was true}{\insrsid10909363\charrsid1272450 .}{\insrsid9112666\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid10909363\charrsid1272450 \par The evidence in PX1, PX2 and PX3, put together with Exh. P1, the list}{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 of persons}{\insrsid10909363\charrsid1272450 that the respondent }{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 mis}{\insrsid10909363\charrsid1272450 represented to Okalang}{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 Law Chambers}{\insrsid10909363\charrsid1272450 that he had wrongly paid, as well as the testimony of PW}{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 3}{\insrsid10909363\charrsid1272450 left no doubt in my mind that Iganga DLG paid the complainants through M/s Okalang Law Chambers. That the respondent received their money but appropriated it and then }{\insrsid3547959\charrsid1272450 mis}{\insrsid10909363\charrsid1272450 represented to Okalang Law Chambers that he had wrongly paid them when they were not party to the suit}{\insrsid7079484\charrsid1272450 , a fraudulent conversion which amounted to theft}{\insrsid10909363\charrsid1272450 .}{\insrsid4277038\charrsid1272450 This left the complainants open to claims to recover money that the respondent said he had paid to them when they did not receive it}{\insrsid7079484\charrsid1272450 , another fraudulent act}{\insrsid4277038\charrsid1272450 .}{ \insrsid10909363\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid4277038\charrsid1272450 \par In his unsworn statement, the respondent stated that he participated in the payment of monies that were remitted to Okalang Law }{\insrsid13701680\charrsid1272450 Chambers}{\insrsid4277038\charrsid1272450 as arrears of salaries of employees of Iganga }{ \insrsid7079484\charrsid1272450 DLG}{\insrsid4277038\charrsid1272450 . That he }{\insrsid4341048\charrsid1272450 erroneously}{\insrsid4277038\charrsid1272450 paid 18 people a total of shs 27,919,285/=.}{\insrsid9181156\charrsid1272450 He did not }{ \insrsid14499612\charrsid1272450 clearly state}{\insrsid9181156\charrsid1272450 whether the complainants were some of the people }{\insrsid4341048\charrsid1272450 that he paid}{\insrsid9181156\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid4341048\charrsid1272450 erroneously}{\insrsid9181156\charrsid1272450 . He further stated that}{\insrsid749049\charrsid1272450 he made}{\insrsid9181156\charrsid1272450 a list of }{\insrsid1860358\charrsid1272450 50 people who did not get their money and that Counsel informed him that he would file a suit against the District on their behalf if they gave him instructions.}{\insrsid9181156\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid749049\charrsid1272450 It was also his testimony that the 50 people elected }{\insrsid7079484\charrsid1272450 one }{\insrsid749049\charrsid1272450 Abdulla Oboth to represent them in making their claim and he gave instruction to Mr. Okalang to file the suit. }{ \insrsid10044229\charrsid1272450 Further}{\insrsid749049\charrsid1272450 that Naigaga Hadija, Magumba Samuel and Wandera Amisi were some of the people who were affected and had to file another suit.}{\insrsid10044229\charrsid1272450 }{ \insrsid4277038\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid10044229\charrsid1272450 \par The respondent produced a list of 50 people }{\insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 signed by Hajji Y. Mawulire }{\insrsid14117091\charrsid1272450 who}{\insrsid10044229\charrsid1272450 he alleged were to file a fresh suit for }{ \insrsid9456953\charrsid1272450 their arrears}{\insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 . Though it was admitted in evidence as one of 4 documents that the respondent relied on to support his defence the trial }{\insrsid7079484\charrsid1272450 court }{ \insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 did not mark it. }{\insrsid4862983\charrsid1272450 Nonetheless, the }{\insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 list showed that Magumba Samuel claimed shs 1,296,928/=}{\insrsid14117091\charrsid1272450 , that}{ \insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 Naigaga Hadija claimed shs 963,000/= but Wandera was not included in }{\insrsid7079484\charrsid1272450 that }{\insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 list.}{\insrsid10044229\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 The respondent also relied on }{\insrsid14117091\charrsid1272450 the list}{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 to try and prove that the complainants were n}{\insrsid14117091\charrsid1272450 ever}{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 owners of part of the money that was paid through Okalang Law Chambers}{\insrsid480100\charrsid1272450 because they were not party to the suit. He strenuously contended that this disentitled them to bringing }{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 charges against him for theft. \par \par }{\insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 This piece of evidence}{\insrsid5208642\charrsid1272450 (list of persons who were to file a fresh case)}{\insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid7487968\charrsid1272450 partially }{\insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 contradicted the}{\insrsid7487968\charrsid1272450 list that the }{\insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 respondent}{\insrsid7487968\charrsid1272450 submitted to}{\insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 Okalang Law Chambers}{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 , and}{ \insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid7487968\charrsid1272450 which the said advocates }{\insrsid16253060\charrsid1272450 forwarded}{\insrsid7487968\charrsid1272450 to the CAO with their letter of 19/09/2006.}{\insrsid9634135\charrsid1272450 }{ \insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 This contradiction in his representations confirmed to me that the respondent was fraudulent in the transactions relating to the complainant}{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 s\rquote }{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 money. }{\insrsid9634135\charrsid1272450 Given the }{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 testimonies of}{\insrsid9634135\charrsid1272450 PW3}{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 and PW4}{\insrsid9634135\charrsid1272450 and the contents of PX1, PX2 and PX3 that the complainants\rquote salary arrears were paid through Okalang Law Chambers, I do not think that Iganga }{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 DLG}{\insrsid9634135\charrsid1272450 would have paid the complainants \rquote }{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 arrears }{\insrsid9634135\charrsid1272450 a second time.}{\insrsid12077786\charrsid1272450 I am also of the view that proving that the complain ants were or were not party to the suit would not have made a difference}{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 to their claims against the respondent}{\insrsid12077786\charrsid1272450 . Although it was not proved that the complainants were party to the suit,} {\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid12077786\charrsid1272450 t}{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 he state }{\insrsid14499612\charrsid1272450 proved }{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 that Iganga DLG paid their money }{ \insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 to }{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 Okalang Law Chambers. Whether this was done properly or by some error by the employees of Iganga DLG }{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 the}{\insrsid14499612\charrsid1272450 complainants }{\insrsid11694731\charrsid1272450 were owners of part of the money paid}{\insrsid14499612\charrsid1272450 to}{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 M/s}{\insrsid14499612\charrsid1272450 Okalang Law Chambers}{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 ,}{ \insrsid14499612\charrsid1272450 who in turn paid it to the respondent }{\insrsid8480948\charrsid1272450 in}{\insrsid12931741\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid8480948\charrsid1272450 order for him to distribute it to its}{\insrsid14499612\charrsid1272450 owners.}{\insrsid6316034\charrsid1272450 His conversion of the money was nothing else but theft.}{\insrsid14499612\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid10044229\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid9112666\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid9050728\charrsid1272450 As to w}{\insrsid9112666\charrsid1272450 hether the evidence that there were efforts to ensure that ex-employees of Iganga DLG who were not paid got their dues was pertinent to the case, }{\insrsid9050728\charrsid1272450 I am of the view that it was. However, it only served to expose the respondent\rquote s fraudulent actions. Though he had represented to M/s Okalang Law Chambers the he paid the complainant}{\insrsid13716122\charrsid1272450 s}{ \insrsid9050728\charrsid1272450 , he tried to prove that they had not been paid and could still lay a claim against the District. He failed to prove th is when the plaint that he tried to rely on was rejected by the trial magistrate. I did not see any further efforts by the respondent to produce }{\insrsid12077786\charrsid1272450 the correct}{\insrsid9050728\charrsid1272450 plaint though court ordered that he produce it later.}{\insrsid9390776\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 Moreover}{\insrsid9390776\charrsid1272450 , even if he had proved the existence of the suit, it would not have lessened the strength of the prosecution evidence that he fraudulently converted money that Iganga DLG }{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 intended }{\insrsid9390776\charrsid1272450 to be paid to the complainants.}{ \insrsid9050728\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid12077786\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 I find that t}{\insrsid1908295\charrsid1272450 he evidence on record showed that the prosecution proved all the ingredients of the offence of theft against the respondent}{\insrsid9390776\charrsid1272450 . There was money }{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 which is some}{\insrsid14499583\charrsid1272450 thing capable of being stolen}{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 ;}{\insrsid14499583\charrsid1272450 the money}{\insrsid9390776\charrsid1272450 belonged to the complainants }{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 , and}{\insrsid9390776\charrsid1272450 the respondent fraudulently converted it to his own}{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 or to the }{\insrsid9390776\charrsid1272450 use}{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 of some other persons}{\insrsid684949\charrsid1272450 with the intention of permanently depriving the complainants of its use}{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 . The appellant proved this}{\insrsid1908295\charrsid1272450 beyond reasonable doubt}{ \insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 so the}{\insrsid4205611\charrsid1272450 respondent was wrongly acquitted of theft}{\insrsid15928283\charrsid1272450 on all the three counts}{\insrsid4205611\charrsid1272450 . }{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 \par \par In the end result, the }{\insrsid4205611\charrsid1272450 order of acquittal}{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 is hereby set aside}{\insrsid4205611\charrsid1272450 and substitute}{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 d}{\insrsid4205611\charrsid1272450 }{ \insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 with a }{\insrsid4205611\charrsid1272450 conviction of theft contrary to }{\insrsid3547959\charrsid1272450 s.254 (}{\insrsid4205611\charrsid1272450 1) of the Penal Code Act}{\insrsid1908295\charrsid1272450 , }{ \insrsid15928283\charrsid1272450 on all the three counts with which }{\insrsid3550113\charrsid1272450 the respondent }{\insrsid15928283\charrsid1272450 was charged}{\insrsid4205611\charrsid1272450 .}{\insrsid13716122\charrsid1272450 The file shall be remitted to the trial court for appropriate sentencing.}{\insrsid480100\charrsid1272450 \par }{\insrsid4016715\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid684949\charrsid1272450 \par \par \par \par }{\b\insrsid480100\charrsid1272450 Irene Mulyagonja Kakooza \par JUDGE \par 19/08/2010}{\b\insrsid7212244\charrsid1272450 }{\insrsid9112666\charrsid1272450 \par }}