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Uganda Judgment

High Court of Uganda

In Re: Adongping Flavia Okot and Alobo Mercy Okot (Minors); the Petition of Joyce Achiro (Maternal Aunt of the Said Minors) (Adoption Cause No 24 of 2005) [2006] UGHC 19 (1 June 2006)

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01

Holding and result

The court found that the applicant, Joyce Achiro, satisfied all statutory requirements for adoption under sections 45 and 46 of the Children Act. She is the maternal aunt of the minors, has been their caregiver since the death of their parents, and has fostered them under the supervision of the probation and welfare officer, whose report strongly recommended adoption to ensure the minors' continued welfare and protection. The court determined that the welfare and best interests of the children would be best served by granting the adoption order. The prior guardianship order was issued in error and was accordingly cancelled and replaced with the correct adoption order. The applicant is directed to register the adoption orders with the Registrar General and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Court disposition

Adoption order granted in favour of Joyce Achiro; prior guardianship order cancelled as issued in error.

Orders

  • The guardianship order issued on 1/7/2005 is hereby cancelled as it was given in error.
  • An adoption order is granted in favour of Joyce Achiro in respect of Adongpiny Flavia Okot and Alobo Mercy Okot.
  • Each adoption order shall be registered with the Registrar General, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

02

Material facts

Parties

Joyce Achiro

Applicant Counsel: Mr. Okecha Michael

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Adoption Cause / Ruling on Application for Adoption Order; Review and Correction of Prior Guardianship Order

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Party arguments

Applicant
The applicant, a British citizen of Ugandan origin and maternal aunt to the minors, has fostered the children since the death of their parents. She has provided for their welfare and education under the supervision of the probation and welfare officer, who recommends adoption. The applicant meets all statutory requirements under the Children Act and seeks an adoption order to ensure continuity in the minors' care and protection of their rights.
Respondent
There is no formal respondent; the application is unopposed. The court considered the probation officer's report and the best interests of the children.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Children Act (Cap 59), sections 45 and 46

    The welfare and best interests of the child are the paramount consideration in adoption matters.

  2. 02

    Children Act (Cap 59), sections 45 and 46

    All statutory requirements, conditions, and restrictions for adoption must be satisfied before an order is granted.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The court found that the applicant, Joyce Achiro, satisfied all statutory requirements for adoption under sections 45 and 46 of the Children Act. She is the maternal aunt of the minors, has been their caregiver since the death of their parents, and has fostered them under the supervision of the probation and welfare officer, whose report strongly recommended adoption to ensure the minors' continued welfare and protection. The court determined that the welfare and best interests of the children would be best served by granting the adoption order. The prior guardianship order was issued in error and was accordingly cancelled and replaced with the correct adoption order. The applicant is directed to register the adoption orders with the Registrar General and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Obiter and limits

  • The applicant is a British citizen of Ugandan origin and a social worker residing in the UK, with property in Uganda.
  • Both minors shall remain citizens of Uganda, and for travel purposes, are to be issued Ugandan passports.
  • The court emphasizes the importance of the probation officer's report in adoption proceedings.

Court disposition

Adoption order granted in favour of Joyce Achiro; prior guardianship order cancelled as issued in error.

  • The guardianship order issued on 1/7/2005 is hereby cancelled as it was given in error.
  • An adoption order is granted in favour of Joyce Achiro in respect of Adongpiny Flavia Okot and Alobo Mercy Okot.
  • Each adoption order shall be registered with the Registrar General, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source and reliance status

High Court of Uganda

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Judgment text

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Source document

High Court of Uganda

Judgment

[2006] UGHC 19

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HIGH COURT OF UGANDA AT KAMPALA \par }{\b\insrsid10188578 ADOPTION CAUSE NO}{\b\insrsid1519006\charrsid10188578 24 OF 2005 \par }{\insrsid1519006\charrsid10188578 \par }{\insrsid1720319 [}{\insrsid1720319\charrsid10188578 In The Matter Of Adongping Flavia Okot and Alobo Mercy Okot (Minors) The Petition Of Joyce Achiro (M}{\insrsid1720319 aternal Aunt Of The Said Minors]}{\insrsid1519006 \par }{\insrsid1720319 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\tx6858\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11083877 {\b\insrsid11083877 1}{\b\super\insrsid11083877\charrsid11083877 st}{\b\insrsid11083877 June }{\b\insrsid11083877\charrsid10188578 2006 }{\b\insrsid11083877 \par }{\b\insrsid12865718\charrsid10188578 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\tx6858\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10188578 {\b\ul\insrsid1519006\charrsid10188578 BEFORE: HON. MR. JUSTICE ELDAD MWANGUSYA}{\b\insrsid1519006\charrsid10188578 : \par \par }{\b\ul\insrsid1519006\charrsid10188578 RULING: \par }{\insrsid1519006\charrsid10188578 This ruling is in respect of an application by JOYCE ACHIRO for adoption of ADONGPINY FLAVIA OKOT and ALOBO MERCY both minors aged 14 and 13 years respectively. \par \par }{\insrsid2521499\charrsid10188578 The applicant was represented by Mr. Okecha Michael, an advocate of this court. The applicant attended the hearing of

the application. She}{\insrsid12865718 is}{\insrsid2521499\charrsid10188578 a British citizen of Ugandan origin. She is an aunt of the two minors. She has been looking after them since they lost both their parents.}{\insrsid1519006\charrsid10188578 \par }{\insrsid2521499\charrsid10188578 \par The two infants the subject of this petition are both citizens of Uganda. Adongpiny attends school at Our Lady of Good Council, Gayaza while ALOBO is a }{\insrsid12865718\charrsid10188578 schoolgirl}{\insrsid2521499\charrsid10188578 at Nagulu Katale Primary School, Kampala. The petitioner has fostered both children under the supervision of the probation and welfare officer, Nakawa Division}{\insrsid11762043\charrsid10188578 Kampala. The report of the probation officer, one Ejidra O. George was attached to the application. In the report the Probation Officer recommends adoption of the two minors by the applicant to ensure continuity in their maintainance and protection of their rights.}{\insrsid2521499\charrsid10188578 \par }{\insrsid11762043\charrsid10188578 \par After }{\insrsid4347401\charrsid10188578 perusing}{\insrsid11762043\charrsid10188578 the pleadings in this application and after listening to the submissions of counsel for applicant I find that all the statutory requirements, conditions and restrictions contained in sections 45 and 46 of the }{\insrsid4347401\charrsid10188578

children \rquote s}{\insrsid11762043\charrsid10188578 Act (Cap 59) have been met. \par \par In the result, therefore, the petitioner, namely JOYCE ACHIRO is granted an Adoption order in respect of the children, ADONGPINY FLAVIA OKOT and ALOBO MERCY. She will register each of the Adopti on orders with the Registrar General in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. They shall also register each Adoption order with the ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda. \par \par Eldad Mwangusya \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 JUDGE}{\b\ul\insrsid11762043\charrsid10188578 \par }{\b\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 5/7/2005 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 \par Court: \par }{\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 Ruling signed and delivered in open court. \par \par Eldad Mwangusya \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 JUDGE \par }{\b\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 1/7/2005 \par \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 Mr. Okecha: \par }{\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 The order applied for is for adoption and not guardianship. I pray for review of the order. \par \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 Court: \par }{\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 The order for guardianship was given in error. It will be reviewed and the one of Adoption given instead. The order for adoption will be delivered on 5/7/2005. \par \par Eldad

Mwangusya \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 JUDGE \par }{\b\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 1/7/2005 \par \par 5/7/2005 \par }{\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 Mr. Michael Okecha for applicant. \par Ms. Mariam Nakibuka court clerk. \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 Court: \par }{\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 Ruling signed and delivered in open court. \par \par Eldad Mwangusya \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 JUDGE \par }{\b\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 5/7/2005 \par \par }{\b\ul\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 Order: \par }{\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 The guardianship order issued by the this court on 1/7/2005 is hereby cancelled. It was given in r\\error. \par \par Eldad Mwangusya \par }{\b\ul\insrsid2978561\charrsid10188578 JUDGE}{\b\ul\insrsid11487504\charrsid10188578 \par }{\b\insrsid2978561\charrsid10188578 5/7/2005 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid3420853 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid13766404\charrsid10188578 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS: \par \par }{\b\insrsid13766404\charrsid10188578 22/6/2005 \par }{\insrsid13766404\charrsid10188578 Mr. Okecha Michael for the applicant who is in court. \par Both infants, namely Adongpiny Flavia Okot and Alobo Mercy Okot are in court. \par Ms. Nakibuka Mariam court clerk. \par \par }{\b\ul\insrsid13766404\charrsid10188578 Adongpiny Flavia Okot: \par }{\insrsid4684819\charrsid10188578 I am aged 14 years. I was

born on 30/5/1991. I am studying at our Lady of Good Counsel, Gayaza. I am in senior 4. I joine d primary 1 in 1995 at Zana Parents school and completed P. L. E. at Naguru Katali Primary School.}{\insrsid13766404\charrsid10188578 \par }{\insrsid3231712\charrsid10188578 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid3231712\charrsid10188578 \par Alobo Mercy: \par }{\insrsid3231712\charrsid10188578 I am aged 13. I was born on 9/5/1992. I am in Naguru Katale Primary School. I am in primary 7. I don\rquote t remember when I joined primary 1. I have repeated class twice. I repeated primary 2 and primary 5.

\par \par }{\b\ul\insrsid3231712\charrsid10188578 Mr. Okecha: \par }{\insrsid3231712\charrsid10188578 This petition is brought under S.46 of children statute, 1996. The petitioner is a British citizen and resident in U. K. She owns property in Uganda. She is a social worker working in U. K.}{ \insrsid10897409\charrsid10188578 She is 38 years of age. She was born in Gulu District. The petitioner is a maternal aunt of the minors.}{\insrsid3231712\charrsid10188578 \par }{\insrsid10897409\charrsid10188578 \par Attached to this petition is a recommendation of the Probation and welfare officer. \par The petitioner is mother of three children, two daughters and a son. She is not married. The minors have not been subject of a petition for adoption before. \par }{\insrsid3231712\charrsid10188578 \par }{\insrsid6707595\charrsid10188578 The petitioner has fostered the children under the supervision of the probation and welfare officer since they lost their mother and father. The d eath certificates of their parents are attached. We pray that adoption order be made with the necessary directions of this court.}{\insrsid13766404\charrsid10188578 \par }{\b\ul\insrsid6707595\charrsid10188578 Court: \par }{\insrsid6624095\charrsid10188578 Ruling to be delivered on 28/6/2005 at 9.00 a.m.}{\insrsid6707595\charrsid10188578 \par }{\insrsid6624095\charrsid10188578 \par Eldad Mwangusya \par

}{\b\ul\insrsid6624095\charrsid10188578 JUDGE \par }{\b\insrsid6624095\charrsid10188578 22}{\b\insrsid10427857\charrsid10188578 /}{\b\insrsid6624095\charrsid10188578 6}{\b\insrsid10427857\charrsid10188578 /}{\b\insrsid6624095\charrsid10188578 2006 \par \par 28/6/2005 \par }{\insrsid6624095\charrsid10188578 Mr. Okecha Michael for the applicant. \par Ms. Nakibuka Mariam court clerk. \par \par }{\b\ul\insrsid6624095\charrsid10188578 Court: \par }{\insrsid10427857\charrsid10188578 This application is a for a ruling to be delivered on 1/7/2006 at 9.00 a.m.}{\insrsid6624095\charrsid10188578 \par }{\insrsid10427857\charrsid10188578 Eldad Mwangusya \par }{\b\ul\insrsid1193961\charrsid10188578 JUDGE}{\b\ul\insrsid10427857\charrsid10188578 \par }{\b\insrsid1193961\charrsid10188578 28/6/2005 \par 1/7/2005 \par }{\insrsid1193961\charrsid10188578 Mr. Okecha Michael for the applicant. \par Ms. Nakibuka Mariam court clerk. \par \par }{\b\ul\insrsid1193961\charrsid10188578 Order: \par }{\insrsid1193961\charrsid10188578 Mr. Michael Okecha, counsel for the applicant together with the applicant and two }{\insrsid10227015\charrsid10188578 minors, namely, Adongpiny Flavia Okot and Alobo Mercy Okot appeared before this court on 22/6/2005.}{ \insrsid14886965\charrsid10188578 The minors are aged 14 years and 13 years respectively. ADONGPINY is a school girl at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Gayaza while

ALOBO is a school girl at Naguru Katale Primary School. The applicant is their maternal aunt. She has been looking after them since they lost both their parents. According to a report from the Probation Of ficer Nakawa Division the applicant is recommended for this Adoption order in order to maintain the care and subsistence already being given to the children.}{\insrsid1193961\charrsid10188578 \par }{\insrsid14886965\charrsid10188578 \par After I have studied this application together with the accompanying affidavit of the applicant. I have also taken into account the report of the probation officer and submissions of Mr. Okecha, counsel for the applicant. I am satisfied that the welfare of these two children will best be served if the guardianship order prayed is granted. That is t he paramount consideration. \par \par In the circumstances, therefore a guardianship order in respect of both minors will be issued in favour of JOYCE ACHIRO. Both children shall remain citizens of Uganda though their legal guardian may take them anywhere tithing o r outside Uganda. For the purpose of travel both children are to be issued with Uganda passports. \par \par Eldad Mwangusya \par }{\b\ul\insrsid14886965\charrsid10188578 JU}{\b\ul\insrsid4347401\charrsid10188578 D}{\b\ul\insrsid14886965\charrsid10188578 GE \par }{\b\insrsid4347401\charrsid10188578 1/7/2006}{\b\insrsid14886965\charrsid10188578 \par }}

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Authorities

Authorities used by the court

Cases, legislation, regulations, and constitutional provisions identified in the available record.

Children Act (Cap 59), sections 45 and 46

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Legislation referenced in the available case record.

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