Share
Henry Baganda v Godfrey Zinga & Anor (Civil Appeal No. 39 of 2008) (Civil Appeal No. 39 of 2008) [2009] UGHC 107 (8 November 2009)
- Citation
- [2009] UGHC 107
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Civil Appeal / Ruling on Preliminary Objection
- Case number
- Civil Appeal No. 39 of 2008
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Civil Appeal / Ruling on Preliminary Objection
- Case number
- Civil Appeal No. 39 of 2008
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The appeal was filed nearly six months after the delivery of the lower court's judgment, far outside the statutory 30-day period prescribed by Section 79 of the Civil Procedure Act. The appellant also failed to file the decree as required by Section 220(1)(a) of the Magistrates Courts Act. These procedural lapses are fatal to the appeal. The court found no justification or application for extension of time, and therefore, agreed with the respondents' counsel that the appeal was incompetent and not properly before the court. The appeal was dismissed with costs to the respondents.
Court disposition
appeal dismissed as filed out of time
Orders
- Civil Appeal No. 39 of 2008 is dismissed.
- Costs awarded to the respondents.
02
Material facts
Parties
Henry Baganda
Appellant Counsel: Bwambale, Musedde & Co. AdvocatesGodfrey Zinga
Respondent Counsel: Lutaakome & Co. AdvocatesWilliam Mukasa
Respondent Counsel: Lutaakome & Co. AdvocatesAmounts and remedies
- Costs Awarded: 0
03
Procedural history
Posture
Civil Appeal / Ruling on Preliminary Objection
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Was the appeal filed within the statutory time limit prescribed by law.
- 02
Did the appellant comply with mandatory procedural requirements for filing an appeal, including filing the decree.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The appellant filed Civil Appeal No. 39 of 2008 against the respondents, asserting his right to appeal the lower court's judgment. No substantive argument on the preliminary objection was recorded from the appellant, who was absent at the hearing.
- Respondent
- Counsel for the respondents raised a preliminary objection that the appeal was filed out of time. He submitted that judgment was delivered on 19th December 2008, but the memorandum of appeal was filed on 3rd July 2009, nearly six months later. He argued that this contravened Section 79 of the Civil Procedure Act, which requires appeals to be filed within 30 days, and that the appellant failed to file the requisite decree as required by Section 220(1)(a) of the Magistrates Courts Act.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Section 79, Civil Procedure Act
An appeal to the High Court must be filed within 30 days from the date of delivery of the judgment.
- 02
Order 43 rule 1(i), Civil Procedure Rules
An appeal commences with the filing of a memorandum of appeal.
- 03
Section 220(1)(a), Magistrates Courts Act
A decree arising out of the judgment must be filed with the appeal.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The appeal was filed nearly six months after the delivery of the lower court's judgment, far outside the statutory 30-day period prescribed by Section 79 of the Civil Procedure Act. The appellant also failed to file the decree as required by Section 220(1)(a) of the Magistrates Courts Act. These procedural lapses are fatal to the appeal. The court found no justification or application for extension of time, and therefore, agreed with the respondents' counsel that the appeal was incompetent and not properly before the court. The appeal was dismissed with costs to the respondents.
Obiter and limits
- Strict compliance with statutory timelines for filing appeals is mandatory and not a mere technicality.
- Failure to file the decree as required by law further undermines the validity of the appeal.
Court disposition
appeal dismissed as filed out of time
- Civil Appeal No. 39 of 2008 is dismissed.
- Costs awarded to the respondents.
Source and reliance status
High Court of Uganda
This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.
Judgment reading view
Judgment text
The complete available source text.
High Court of Uganda
Judgment
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;} {\f36\fmodern\fcharset129\fprq1{\*\panose 02030609000101010101}BatangChe;}{\f123\fmodern\fcharset129\fprq1 @BatangChe;}{\f124\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f125\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;} {\f127\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f128\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f129\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f130\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);} {\f131\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f132\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}{\f486\fmodern\fcharset0\fprq1 BatangChe Western;}{\f484\fmodern\fcharset238\fprq1 BatangChe CE;} {\f485\fmodern\fcharset204\fprq1 BatangChe Cyr;}{\f487\fmodern\fcharset161\fprq1 BatangChe Greek;}{\f488\fmodern\fcharset162\fprq1 BatangChe Tur;}{\f491\fmodern\fcharset186\fprq1 BatangChe Baltic;}{\f1356\fmodern\fcharset0\fprq1 @BatangChe Western;} {\f1354\fmodern\fcharset238\fprq1 @BatangChe CE;}{\f1355\fmodern\fcharset204\fprq1 @BatangChe Cyr;}{\f1357\fmodern\fcharset161\fprq1 @BatangChe Greek;}{\f1358\fmodern\fcharset162\fprq1 @BatangChe Tur;}{\f1361\fmodern\fcharset186\fprq1 @BatangChe
Baltic;}} {\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0; \red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 \styrsid13377378 Normal;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}{\* \ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 \styrsid5403467 footer;}{\*\cs16 \additive \sbasedon10 \styrsid5403467 page number;}} {\*\latentstyles\lsdstimax156\lsdlockeddef0}{\*\rsidtbl
\rsid1735675\rsid3346399\rsid4801944\rsid5403467\rsid5641896\rsid6574963\rsid6836441\rsid7554564\rsid8917772\rsid10769888\rsid12072382\rsid13377378\rsid15677423\rsid15756657\rsid16594877} {\*\generator Microsoft Word 11.0.5604;}{\info{\title THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA}{\author Land Division}{\operator Sheila}{\creatim\yr2010\mo5\dy18\hr14\min5}{\revtim\yr2010\mo5\dy18\hr14\min5}{\printim\yr2009\mo11\dy30\hr16\min25}{\version2}{\edmins1} {\nofpages2}{\nofwords344}{\nofchars1967}{\*\company Courts of Judicature}{\nofcharsws2307}{\vern24689}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dgmargin\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1800 \dgvorigin1440\dghshow1\dgvshow1\jexpand\viewkind1\viewscale105\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\splytwnine\ftnlytwnine\htmautsp\nolnhtadjtbl\useltbaln\alntblind\lytcalctblwd\lyttblrtgr\lnbrkrule\nobrkwrptbl\snaptogridincell\allowfieldendsel\wrppunct \asianbrkrule\rsidroot13377378\newtblstyruls\nogrowautofit \fet0{\*\ftnsep \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6836441 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\ftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6836441 \chftnsepc \par }}{\*\aftnsep \pard\plain \ql
\li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6836441 \chftnsep \par }}{\*\aftnsepc \pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid6836441 \chftnsepc \par }}\sectd \linex0\headery708\footery708\colsx708\endnhere\sectlinegrid360\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\footer \pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar \tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10769888 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs16\insrsid1735675 PAGE }}{\fldrslt { \cs16\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid5641896 1}}}{\cs16\insrsid1735675 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid1735675 \par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}} {\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta
)}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5641896 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\dbch\af36\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5641896 {\b\dbch\af36\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 IN THE\hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA
\par \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 (LAND DIVISION) \par \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 CIVIL APPEAL N0. 3}{\b\dbch\af36\insrsid8917772\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 9}{\b\dbch\af36\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 OF 2008 \par \par }{\b\dbch\af36\insrsid12072382\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 HENRY BAGANDA}{\b\dbch\af36\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \tab \tab \tab \loch\af0\dbch\af36\hich\f0 \'85\'85\loch\f0 .\tab \tab APPELLANT \par \par }\pard \qj \li2160\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin2160\itap0\pararsid5641896 {\b\dbch\af36\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 V E R S U S \par \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5641896 {\b\lang1024\langfe1024\dbch\af36\noproof\insrsid8917772\charrsid5641896 {\shp{\*\shpinst\shpleft2700\shptop159\shpright2880\shpbottom699\shpfhdr0\shpbxcolumn\shpbxignore\shpbypara\shpbyignore\shpwr3\shpwrk0\shpfblwtxt0\shpz0\shplid1028{\sp{\sn shapeType}{\sv 88}}{\sp{\sn fFlipH}{\sv 0}}{\sp{\sn fFlipV}{\sv 0}} {\sp{\sn fLayoutInCell}{\sv
1}}}{\shprslt{\*\do\dobxcolumn\dobypara\dodhgt8192\dppolyline\dppolycount59\dpptx0\dppty0\dpptx18\dppty1\dpptx35\dppty3\dpptx43\dppty5\dpptx50\dppty8\dpptx57\dppty10\dpptx64\dppty13\dpptx69\dppty16\dpptx75\dppty20 \dpptx79\dppty24\dpptx83\dppty28\dpptx86\dppty32\dpptx88\dppty36\dpptx90\dppty41\dpptx90\dppty45\dpptx90\dppty225\dpptx90\dppty230\dpptx92\dppty234\dpptx94\dppty238\dpptx97\dppty243\dpptx101\dppty246\dpptx105\dppty250\dpptx111\dppty254\dpptx116\dppty257 \dpptx123\dppty260\dpptx130\dppty262\dpptx137\dppty265\dpptx145\dppty267\dpptx162\dppty269\dpptx180\dppty270\dpptx162\dppty271\dpptx145\dppty273\dpptx137\dppty275\dpptx130\dppty278\dpptx123\dppty280\dpptx116\dppty283\dpptx111\dppty286\dpptx105\dppty290 \dpptx101\dppty294\dpptx97\dppty298\dpptx94\dppty302\dpptx92\dppty306\dpptx90\dppty311\dpptx90\dppty315\dpptx90\dppty495\dpptx90\dppty500\dpptx88\dppty504\dpptx86\dppty508\dpptx83\dppty513\dpptx79\dppty516\dpptx75\dppty520\dpptx69\dppty524 \dpptx64\dppty527\dpptx57\dppty530\dpptx50\dppty532\dpptx43\dppty535\dpptx35\dppty537\dpptx18\dppty539\dpptx0\dppty540\dpx2700\dpy159\dpxsize180\dpysize540 \dpfillfgcr255\dpfillfgcg255\dpfillfgcb255\dpfillbgcr255\dpfillbgcg255\dpfillbgcb255\dpfillpat0\dplinew15\dplinecor0\dplinecog0\dplinecob0}}}}{\b\dbch\af36\insrsid8917772\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 1. GODFREY ZINGA \par \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 2. WILLIAM
MUKASA}{\b\dbch\af36\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 \tab }{\b\dbch\af36\insrsid8917772\charrsid5641896 \tab }{\b\dbch\af36\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 \hich\f0 \'85\'85\tab \tab \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 RESPONDENT}{\b\dbch\af36\insrsid15677423\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 S}{\b\dbch\af36\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \par \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 \par }\pard \qj \li360\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin360\itap0\pararsid5641896 {\b\dbch\af36\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5641896 {\b\ul\dbch\af36\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 RULING BY\hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 HON. \hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 MR. JUSTICE JOSEPH MURANGIR\hich\af0\dbch\af36\loch\f0 A \par }{\b\ul\dbch\af36\insrsid12072382\charrsid5641896 \par }{\insrsid7554564\charrsid5641896 The appellant, }{\b\insrsid7554564\charrsid5641896 Henr}{\b\insrsid4801944\charrsid5641896 y Baganda}{\insrsid4801944\charrsid5641896 , filed in this court, Civil A}{\insrsid7554564\charrsid5641896 ppeal N0. 39 of 2008 through his lawyers, M/s Bwambale, Musedde & Co.}{\insrsid4801944\charrsid5641896 }{\insrsid7554564\charrsid5641896 Advocates, on
3}{\super\insrsid7554564\charrsid5641896 rd}{\insrsid7554564\charrsid5641896 July, 2009 against }{ \insrsid3346399\charrsid5641896 }{\b\insrsid3346399\charrsid5641896 Godfrey Zinga}{\insrsid3346399\charrsid5641896 and }{\b\insrsid3346399\charrsid5641896 William Mukasa}{\insrsid3346399\charrsid5641896 , the respondents. The respondents are represented by M/s }{\insrsid15756657\charrsid5641896 Lutaakome & Co. Advocates.}{\insrsid13377378\charrsid5641896 \par }{\insrsid15756657\charrsid5641896 \par On 6}{\super\insrsid15756657\charrsid5641896 th}{\insrsid15756657\charrsid5641896 November, 2009 when the appeal came up for hearing, Mr. Bugembe Patrick, Counsel for the respondent raised preliminary objection that this appeal was filed out of time. He submitted that judgment was delivered on}{\insrsid15677423\charrsid5641896 }{ \insrsid15756657\charrsid5641896 19th December, 2008, and that however, the memorandum of appeal was filed on 3}{\super\insrsid15756657\charrsid5641896 rd}{\insrsid15756657\charrsid5641896 July, 2009, almost six (6) months after the deliver of the judgment. \par \par I perused the record of the court and ascertained that judgment in the lower court was delivered on 19}{\super\insrsid15756657\charrsid5641896 th}{\insrsid15756657\charrsid5641896 December 2008. And }{\insrsid15677423\charrsid5641896 that the appeal was filed on
3}{\super\insrsid15677423\charrsid5641896 rd}{\insrsid15677423\charrsid5641896 July 2009 when the memorandum of appeal was filed in this court}{\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 . Certainly, this appeal was filed out of time. Section 79 of the Civil Procedure Act provides that an appeal to the High Court shall lie with in 30 days from the date of the delivery of the judgment. Again, Order 43 rule 1 (i) of the Civil Procedure Rules provides that an appeal shall commence to the memorandum of appeal. I also noted that the appellant never filed a decree arising out the judg ment that was delivered on 19}{\super\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 th}{\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 December 2008, as required by section 220 (i) (a) of the Magistrate\rquote s Courts Act, cap 16 Laws of Uganda.}{\insrsid15756657\charrsid5641896
\par }{\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 \par In view of all the above, I agree with counsel for the respondents, that the appeal was filed out of time. Therefore, there is no appeal before me. \par \par Accordingly, Civil appeal N0. 39 of 2008 is dismissed with costs to the respondents. \par \par Dated at Kampala this 9}{\super\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 th}{\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 day of November, 2009 \par }{\b\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 Sgd \par Judge \par 09/11/09 \par }{\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 \par }{\insrsid12072382\charrsid5641896 \par \par }{\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 09/11/09 \par Mr. Ronald Karizi from Lutakome & Co. Advocates holding brief from Bugembe Patrick. It is for a ruling. I am ready to receive the same. \par \par The 1}{\super\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 st}{\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 respondent is in court. \par The 2}{\super\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 nd}{\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 respondent is absent so is the appellant. \par Ms. Namusoke Justine, the clerk in court. \par \par }{\b\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 Court}{\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 : Ruling is delivered in open court. \par }{\b\insrsid5403467\charrsid5641896 Sgd \par Judge \par 09/11/09 \par }}
Case-aware research
Ask AI about this case
The judgment and available research above are public. New questions open in a separate private conversation grounded in this case.