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Uganda v Kigundu Suleiman (HCT-00-CR-S-C-0007 of 2002) [2002] UGHC 16 (2 December 2002)
.RTF of original document
THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA
CASE NO: HCT-00-CR-S-C-0007 OF 2002
UGANDA :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: PROSECUTOR
VERSUS
KIGUNDU SULEIMAN ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ACCUSED
BEFORE: HON. MR. JUSTICE J.B.A. KATUTSI:
JUDGMENT:
The accused is indicted for murder; an offence contrary to section 183 and punishable under section 184 of the Penal Code Act.
It is alleged that, on the 25th day of March 2001 at Kanyanya Kawempe Division in the Kampala District he murdered Kayondo. Prosecution examined 4 witnesses. The
first witness was Robert Kyagaba. He testified that on the 25th day of March 2001 at 1 a.m. he was attending a disco at Mpererwe, while in the disco hall, he heard commotion outside. On going outside
he found Sula (accused) fighting with Kayondo (deceased) with the assistance of Karuna they separated the two. The witness took away
Kayondo while Karuna took away Sula. Later Sula managed to free himself Karuna and followed deceased. He was armed with a big stick.
On reaching Kayondo, he hit him with the said stick and Kayondo fell down and started bleeding from the nose and mouth. Later he
died at Mulago hospital.
PW2:
Haruna Lukyamuzi testified that on the 25th March 2001 he was at club corner disco. He was with Kayondo. Kayondo joined those who were playing matatu (cards). Accused was one
of those playing. There were playing for money and accused on losing said he was not paying because a mistake had been made. Kayondo
insisted that he must pay and boxed the accused. The two started fighting. The witness and others tried to separate the two from
fighting. He got hold of the accused while Robert got hold of the deceased Kayondo. Robert walked deceased towards home. The witness
remained with the accused when released the accused, accused went round the building, picked a stick and followed the deceased. From
where the witness was he saw accused hit deceased with the stick on the head. After hitting deceased accused ran away. Later deceased
died at Mulago Hospital. PW3 Adikini Joyce us a police officer. On 25/3/2001 she was on duty, accused reported to her that as he
was going home he had found thugs who had robbed him of his money and that he had managed to grab a stick from one of the thugs.
He had a stick which she treated as an exhibit. In court it was marked exhibit P1. The last witness for the prosecution was Mubiru
Edward. He testified that on 25/3/2001. He was at Mpererwe Petrol Station. While there he witnessed a fight between accused and deceased.
He tried to separate the two with the assistance of Robert and Karuna. Robert held deceased while Karuna held the accused. Robert
took deceased towards the petrol station while Karuna took deceased upwards. Later accused came with a stick and ran toward Kayondo.
With the stick he hit Kayondo and Kayondo fell down. The stick broke into two and accused ran away with part of the broken stick.
Later Kayondo died at Mulago.
Accused gave evidence on oath. He testified that on 24/3/2001 he was at Nansagazi. He left Nansagazi at 9.30 p.m. for home. On the
way he fell into a robbers’ ambush. He was beaten and robbed. He reported the robbery at Kanyanya with the stick he had managed
to grab from one of the robbers. He did not know Kayondo, nor does he know any of the prosecution witnesses though he used to see
them around. He did not examine any witnesses.
These is an indictment for murder. Prosecution must prove the following ingredients beyond reasonable doubt.
1.
That Kayondo is dead.
2.
That he died of unlawful act or omission,
3.
That unlawful act or omission was of malice aforethought, and
4.
by the accused at the bar.
The burden of proof rests on the prosecution throughout and does not shift to the accused. It is for the prosecution to destroy the
alibi put forward by the accused and not the accused to prove it. All he needs to do is to create a doubt in prosecution case.
In his submission learned counsel for the accused said that the fact that Kayondo is dead is not contested. All they were contesting
is that accused is not responsible for that death as he was never at the scene of the alleged offence.
I had all prosecution witnesses before me. I examined their demeanour while in the witness box meticulously. I examined the alibi
put forward with anxious case I am left in no slightest doubt that all prosecution witness were truthful. They all gave their testimony
in a straightforward manner and without prevaricating. I have no hesitation in believing their testimony. They knew the accused very
well and their knowledge was not shaken in any slightest way. The evidence by the accused that he did not know any of the three key
prosecution witnesses is a lie intended to dodge the long arm of justice. I accept the evidence that soon after hitting the deceased,
accused ran to police and reported a false case of robbery. This was a ploy by a crook who was trying to beat the long arm of justice.
Prosecution has completely and beyond any reasonable doubt destroyed the sham alibi put forward by the accused. On the evidence there
is no credible defence adduced. Provocation does not arise as accused had ample time to cool down after deceased had hit him. The
question of self-defence or defence of property does not arise as prosecution has destroyed the sham abibi put forward by the accused.
Learned counsel for accused submitted that there were contradictions in prosecution case. With the greatest respect I see none, and
if there be any the same does not vitiate prosecution case. I am in complete agreement with the assessors that prosecution has proved
the case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. I find him guilty of the offence charged and convict him.
J.B.A. Katutsi
JUDGE
Sentence:
There is only one sentence authorized by the law. You will suffer death in a manner laid down by the law.
J.B.A. Katutsi
JUDGE
2/12/2002
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