Vimila Thakkar v Lalita Minilal Raja and Ors [2004] UGSC 20 (22 June 2004)

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{\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 \s27\qc \li0\ri0\sb67\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par }\pard\plain \s16\qc \li1565\ri1574\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin1574\lin1565\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s16\qc \li1565\ri1574\sb86\sl-322\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin1574\lin1565\itap0 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF UGANDA AT MENGO \par }\pard\plain \s24\qc \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s24\qc \li0\ri0\sb91\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs35\b\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 (CORAM: ODOKI, CJ., ODER, TSEKOOKO, KAROKORA, \par }\pard \s24\qc \li0\ri0\sl-634\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs35\b\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 KANYEIHAMBA, JJ. S. C.) \par }\pard\plain \s27\qc \li0\ri0\sl-634\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 CIVIL APPEAL NO. 3 OF 2003 \par }\pard \s27\qc \li0\ri0\sb5\sl-634\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 BETWEEN \par }\pard \s27\qj \li0\ri0\sb5\sl-638\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 VIMILA THAKKAR ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: APPELLANT \par }\pard \s27\qc \li0\ri0\sl-638\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 AND \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s31 \cs34\b\f1\fs26 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 1.\tab}}\pard\plain \s31\ql \li0\ri0\sl-638\slmult0\widctlpar\tx398\tx5592{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnf1\pnstart1\pnindent398 {\pntxta .}} \faauto\ls1\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 LALITA MINILAL RAJA}{\cs34\f0\fs20\insrsid2695417 \tab }{\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 ] \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s31 \cs34\b\f1\fs26 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 2.\tab}}\pard \s31\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tx398\tx5587{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnf1\pnstart1\pnindent398 {\pntxta .}}\faauto\ls1\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 { \cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 PRADIP NANDLAL KARIA}{\cs34\f0\fs20\insrsid2695417 \tab }{\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 ] \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s31 \cs34\b\f1\fs26 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 3.\tab}}\pard \s31\qj \li0\ri0\sl-331\slmult0\widctlpar\tx398\tx5592{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnf1\pnstart1\pnindent398 {\pntxta .}} \faauto\ls1\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 NANDLAL HARJIVAN KARIA}{\cs34\f0\fs20\insrsid2695417 \tab }{\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 ] ::: RESPONDENTS \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s31 \cs34\b\f35\fs26 \hich\af35\dbch\af0\loch\f35 4.\tab}}\pard \s31\ql \li0\ri0\sl-331\slmult0\widctlpar\tx398{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls2\pnrnot0\pndec\pnf35\pnstart1\pnindent398 {\pntxta .}} \faauto\ls2\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 TRIBHOVANDA MADHAVJI DATTANI ]}{\cs39\b\f35\fs22\insrsid2695417 \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s31 \cs34\b\f1\fs26 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 5.\tab}}\pard \s31\ql \li0\ri0\sl-331\slmult0\widctlpar\tx398\tx5587{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls1\pnrnot0\pndec\pnf1\pnstart1\pnindent398 {\pntxta .}} \faauto\ls1\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 PABCO PROPERTIES LTD.}{\cs34\f0\fs20\insrsid2695417 \tab }{\cs34\b\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 ] \par }\pard\plain \s22\qj \li744\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin744\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s22\qj \li744\ri0\sb77\sl-312\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin744\itap0 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 [An appeal from the judgment and decision of t he Court of Appeal, (Mukasa-Kikonyogo, D. C. J., Kato, Kitumba, JJ. A.), dated 20.11.2001 in Civil Appeal No. 52 Of 2000]. \par }\pard\plain \s27\qc \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s27\qc \li0\ri0\sb106\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs34\b\f1\fs26\ul\insrsid2695417 JUDGMENT OF COURT \par }\pard\plain \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb192\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 A suit in which the appellant and respondents were parties involved the payment of rent and the power of reentry in r elation to a sublease registered as Volume 1 Folio 24 and known as Plot No. 6 and 6A, Market Street, Kampala. The suit was eventually disposed of by consent of parties in the High Court. The facts and resolutions in the agreement are not relevant to this appeal. Be that as it may, in the High Court before Ntabgoba, P. J., the parties to the suit reached an understanding which was tantamount to a settlement of all the disputes between them and the learned}{\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 }{ \cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 Principal Judge reflected this understanding in his judgment. When it came to costs of the High Court suit, the court awarded the costs to the present respondents on the ground that it was the appellant who was solely responsible for the suit because of h e r intransigence in refusing to pay her due contributions and unreasonably seeking to pay the 1933 fixed rent which defeated reason. The appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal challenging the decision and reasoning of the learned Principal Judge on cost s. The appellant lost her appeal principally because the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal agreed with the trial judge and confirmed his award of costs to the respondent. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 The appellant has now appealed to this court. The grounds of appeal as framed in her Memorandum of Appeal are as follows: \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s29 \cs41\i\f1\fs26 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 1.\tab}}\pard\plain \s29\qj \fi-730\li730\ri0\sb485\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\tx730{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls3\pnrnot0\pndec\pnf1\pnstart1\pnindent730 {\pntxta .}} \faauto\ls3\rin0\lin730\itap0\pararsid2695417 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 The learned Judges of the Court of Appeal erred In law and fact in arriving at the wrong conclusion that the appellant was not justified in filing the suit against the respondents in the High Court.}{\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s29 \cs41\i\fs26 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}\pard \s29\qj \fi-730\li730\ri0\sb485\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\tx730\tlul\tx1963{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls4\pnrnot0\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent730 {\pntxta .}} \faauto\ls4\rin0\lin730\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 The learned Judges of the Court of Appeal erred in law and fact when they ordered the appellant to bear the costs due to her conduct prior to the filing of the suit on 6}{ \cs41\i\f1\fs26\super\insrsid2695417 th}{\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 February, 1955.}{\cs36\b\i\f0\expnd6\expndtw30\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard\plain \s23\qj \fi-725\li725\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin725\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s23\qj \fi-725\li725\ri0\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin725\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 3. }{\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 The learned Judges of the Court of Appeal erred in law and fact when they confirmed the decision of the learned Principal Judge that the suit was brought by intransigence of \par }\pard\plain \s19\qj \li734\ri0\sb67\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin734\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 the appellant in refusing to pay the due contribution and as such was to pay the costs. \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s29 \cs41\i\f1\fs26 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 4.\tab}}\pard\plain \s29\qj \fi-725\li725\ri0\sb485\sl-480\slmult0\widctlpar\tx725{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls5\pnrnot0\pndec\pnf1\pnstart4\pnindent725 {\pntxta .}} \faauto\ls5\rin0\lin725\itap0\pararsid2695417 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 The learned Judges of the Court of Appeal erred in law and fact when they confirmed the decision of the learned Principal Judge that it was reasonable for the respondents to demand a contribution of 25% of the new statutory ground rent and it was unreason able for the appellant to insist on paying the sum set out in the sublease agreement.}{\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s29 \cs41\i\f1\fs26 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 5.\tab}}\pard \s29\ql \fi-725\li725\ri0\sb470\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\tx725{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls5\pnrnot0\pndec\pnf1\pnstart4\pnindent725 {\pntxta .}} \faauto\ls5\rin0\lin725\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 The learned Judges of the Court of Appeal erred in law and fact when they failed to evaluate the evidence on record as a first appellant (sic.) court and arrived at a wrong decision when they upheld the learned Principal Judge's decision. \par {\pntext\pard\plain\s29 \cs41\i\f1\fs26 \hich\af1\dbch\af0\loch\f1 6.\tab}}\pard \s29\qj \fi-725\li725\ri0\sb490\sl-470\slmult0\widctlpar\tx725{\*\pn \pnlvlbody\ilvl0\ls5\pnrnot0\pndec\pnf1\pnstart4\pnindent725 {\pntxta .}} \faauto\ls5\rin0\lin725\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 The learned Judges of the Court of Appeal erred in law and fact in holding that because the appellant compromised with the respondent, therefore she was not the successful party. \par }\pard\plain \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb230\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 Considering that the partie s reached a settlement which was recorded in the trial court, we find that only grounds 2 and 3 of the appeal are pertinently relevant. The other grounds, namely, 1, 4, 5 and 6 should be subsumed in the settlement arrangement accepted and recorded by the learned Principal Judge in his reasoned judgment and as confirmed by the learned Justices of Appeal. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-480\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 On ground 2, the appellant who represented herself submitted that in awarding costs to the respondent, both courts below erred in that their findings and decisions were not founded on the facts and circumstances of the case. Appellant contended that it was not until she went to court that the fact of the rent revision was raised. The appellant further contended that until she acquired that knowledge there w as no way she could have known the value of the 25% payable for the sublease of which she was tenant. She contended that until she discovered the figures herself from Kampala City Council, the only rent payable she knew of was what was reflected in the or iginal sublease agreement of 1933 which she duly and diligently offered to pay. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb235\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 For the respondent, Mr. Godfrey Lule, S. C, submitted that the respondents had been in constant touch with the appellant to remind her of her obligations with regard to the subl ease. He submitted that when she eventually responded, she insisted on paying the original rent of Shs. 53/75 fixed as long ago as 1933 when the sublease was first granted to her predecessors. Counsel further contended that there is evidence that the appe llant was fully aware that the rent payable was 25% of the annual rent for the head lease assessed by the Kampala City Council at Shs.348,355/=. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb226\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 Mr. Lule contended that since the appellant had finally accepted to pay the 25% of the true assessed figure, sh e ought not have filed a suit and as she had relied on a lower figure as the basis of her action, she was the loser and not the winner of the suit. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb230\sl-480\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 On ground 3, the appellant contended that the Principal Judge was wrong to hold and the Justices of Appeal were in error to confirm that it had been through the appellant's intransigence that court proceedings became necessary. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb5\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 In the appellant's view, she did all she could to pay her rent. Firstly, when she first received a demand note, that note did not spe cify how much had been revised and assessed by the City Council. Consequently, there was no way she could ascertain what amount represented the 25% contribution from her. She further contended that in the absence of such an ascertained amount, she was jus t ified in tendering to the respondents the original fixed rent in the sum of Shs. 53/75 per month plus all the outstanding arrears. The appellant contended that the evidence available suggests that the respondents were no longer interested in keeping her a s a subtenant. They appeared to be preoccupied with reentry and repossession. In support of this claim by the appellant she pointed out that even when she sent the sum of U. K. \'a3 300 which was adequate to cover the new revised rent and advised the respondents to inform her whether that amount was adequate and if not, for her to send more money, the respondents kept silent. She contended that even the lawyers of the respondents themselves did not know the amount payable. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb230\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 For the respondent, on ground 3, Mr. Lule contended that the appellant was solely responsible for the protracted correspondence between the parties and for the necessity to go to court. He submitted that by the time the appellant chose to go to court she already knew the revised rent and the amount due to the respondents. He contended that therefore both the High Court and the Court of Appeal were correct in their findings and respective reasoning. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb10\sl-480\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 Having heard the appellant and counsel for the respon dents and read the record of proceedings, we are not persuaded that either party can claim correctly that they won or their opponents lost the case. Neither side appears to have done all they could have done to finally settle their dispute. Neither the ap pellant nor the respondents' behaviour and acts conform to the old equitable }{\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 maxim }{\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. The impression one gets from the pleadings and submissions in this case is that each party wanted to eat their proverb ial cake and have it at the same time. The appellant appeared to insist on paying the original fixed rent of Shs. 53/75 per month even though she was fully aware that it was no longer economically viable and the 25% payable was not of any figure other tha n what the Kampala City Council had statutorily demanded, namely, Shs.348,355/=. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb10\sl-475\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 The respondents failed to demand the actual amount of what 25% of the revised rent represented. They did not volunteer any information about the revised rent. It was only the appellant or her lawyers who took initiative to find out. They refused to accept her payment as part payment and demand the balance. They did not acknowledge or respond to her suggestions regarding the \'a3 300 which she sent through her lawyers. Their total demand of some US $ 500 is not fully explained. However, the respondents were very clear on reentry. The letter written by Pradip N. Karia of Pabco Properties Ltd. on 14 December, 1993, is confusing and inexplicable just as his other subsequent letter dat ed 21 January, 1994. The letter is worded thus, \par }\pard\plain \s22\ql \li758\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin758\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s22\ql \li758\ri0\sb154\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin758\itap0 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 "Dear Madam, \par }\pard \s22\ql \li749\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin749\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s22\ql \li749\ri0\sb91\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin749\itap0 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\ul\insrsid2695417 GROUND RENT DEMAND \par }\pard \s22\ql \li744\ri0\sb19\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin744\itap0 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\ul\insrsid2695417 PLOT 6A MARKET STREET, KAMPALA \par }\pard \s22\qj \li739\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin739\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s22\qj \li739\ri0\sb96\sl-317\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin739\itap0 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 We kindly bring to your notice that the above ground rent has not been paid by your Attorney Vinila Thakkar who was requested to pay the same as per sub-lease requirement. You note that you have also failed to do the same for this year. \par }\pard \s22\qj \li739\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin739\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s22\qj \li739\ri0\sb77\sl-317\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin739\itap0 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 We also bring to your attention that there are some immediate repairs which are required on the buildings which should be effected also.

\par }\pard \s22\qj \li739\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin739\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s22\qj \li739\ri0\sb72\sl-322\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin739\itap0 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 Also note that if we do not receive any payments within }{\cs36\i\f0\expnd6\expndtw30\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 21}{ \cs36\b\i\f0\insrsid2695417 }{\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 days date hereof then we shall move the Registrar to make a re-entry. \par }\pard \s22\ql \li744\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin744\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par }\pard \s22\ql \li744\ri0\sb91\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin744\itap0 {\cs41\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 Please treat this as final notice." \par }\pard\plain \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb182\sl-480\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 These letters threatened to activate re-entry within a short period notwithstanding that t hey were being sent to the appellant at her address in Leicester, U. K. There is no evidence that they were being sent by any quicker method of communication nor were the respondents minded to ensure that these letters were delivered and received by the ap p ellant. Interestingly, long before these letters were written and dispatched, the respondents had been clearly informed by the appellant through her lawyers that she had agents in Kampala who could receive her letters and who were authorised to act on her behalf. The letter from Messrs Katende, Ssempebwa & Co. Advocates, dated 12}{\cs33\f1\fs26\super\insrsid2695417 th}{\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 April, 1994, clearly reveals this knowledge. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb10\sl-480\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cs33\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417 Under these circumstances, it is our view that both the High Court and Court of Appeal erred in awarding costs to the respondents. We are satisfied that grounds 2 and 3 substantially succeed. Consequently, this appeal succeeds. We order that each party pays its costs in this court and in the courts below. \par }\pard\plain \s30\qj \li0\ri0\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s30\qc \li0\ri0\sb115\widctlpar\tldot\tx5016\tldot\tx6965\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs33\b\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 Dated at Mengo, this 22}{\cs33\b\i\f1\fs26\super\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 nd}{ \cs33\b\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 day of June 2004.}{\cs33\b\i\f1\fs26\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 \par }\pard\plain \s25\ql \fi331\li3110\ri2688\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin2688\lin3110\itap0 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs20\insrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s25\qc \fi9\li0\ri15\sb144\sl-322\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin15\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs34\b\f1\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 B}{\cs45\b\f1\expnd-4\expndtw-20\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 . J. ODOKI }{ \cs45\b\f1\expnd-4\expndtw-20\insrsid2695417 \line }{\cs34\b\f1\ul\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 CHIEF JUSTICE}{\cs34\b\f1\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 \par }\pard\plain \s30\qc \fi9\li0\ri15\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin15\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f1\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s30\qc \fi9\li0\ri15\sb149\widctlpar\tlhyph\tx2726\faauto\rin15\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs33\b\f1\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 A. H. O. ODER \par }\pard\plain \s31\qc \fi9\li0\ri15\sb5\widctlpar\faauto\rin15\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\cs34\b\f1\ul\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT \par }\pard\plain \s16\qc \fi9\li0\ri15\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin15\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f1\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s16\qc \fi9\li0\ri15\sb187\sl-307\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin15\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs34\b\f1\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 J. W. N}{\cs47\b\f1\expnd-6\expndtw-30\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 . }{ \cs47\b\f1\expnd-6\expndtw-30\insrsid2695417 TSEKOOKO}{\cs47\b\f1\expnd-6\expndtw-30\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 }{\cs47\b\f1\expnd-6\expndtw-30\insrsid2695417 \par }{\cs34\b\f1\ul\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 JUSTICE OF T}{\cs34\b\f1\ul\expnd-4\expndtw-20\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 HE}{\cs34\b\f1\ul\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 SUPREME COURT \par }\pard\plain \s20\qc \fi9\li0\ri15\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin15\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f1\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s20\qc \fi9\li0\ri15\sb134\sl-307\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin15\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs33\b\f1\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 A. N. KAROKORA }{\cs33\b\f1\insrsid2695417 \par }{\cs34\b\f1\ul\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT \par }\pard\plain \s32\qc \fi9\li0\ri15\sl-240\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin15\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 \f38\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f1\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 \par \par }\pard \s32\qc \fi9\li0\ri15\sb158\sl-326\slmult0\widctlpar\faauto\rin15\lin0\itap0\pararsid2695417 {\cs33\b\f1\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 G. W. KANYEIHAMBA }{\cs33\b\f1\insrsid2695417 \par }{\cs34\b\f1\ul\insrsid2695417\charrsid2695417 JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT \par }}