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Uganda Judgment

High Court of Uganda

In Re: The Decision of Makerere University Academic Regisrar To Dismiss Byamukama Edson & In Re: An Application To Apply for Leave To apply for Extension of time within which to apply for leave to apply for mandamus & Certiorari (Miscellaneous Cause No. 1 (Miscellaneous Cause No. 185 of 2007) [2008] UGHC 36 (2 May 2008)

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01

Holding and result

The court found that the applicant's appeal against his dismissal from Makerere University had not been heard or determined within a reasonable time, resulting in the loss of two academic semesters. The court considered this delay inordinate and unfair, amounting to a denial of justice. The statutory three-month period for seeking judicial review could be extended where good reason exists, and the unexplained delay by the University constituted such a reason. The court therefore granted the applicant leave to commence judicial review proceedings outside the prescribed period, ordering that the action be filed within one month from the date of the ruling.

Court disposition

application granted

Orders

  • The applicant is granted leave to commence judicial review proceedings outside the prescribed three-month period.
  • The applicant must file the action within one month from the date of this ruling.
  • Costs shall abide the final determination of the cause.

02

Material facts

Parties

Edson Byamukama

Applicant

Makerere University Academic Registrar

Respondent

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Miscellaneous Cause / Ruling on Application for Extension of Time to Seek Judicial Review

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Party arguments

Applicant
The applicant argued that he was dismissed from Makerere University for examination malpractice and appealed the decision to the University Senate in September 2007 but never received a response. He contended that the delay in resolving his appeal was unfair and sought an extension of time to file for judicial review, as the statutory period had lapsed due to the University's inaction.
Respondent
The respondent did not file a response or argument in the ruling as recorded.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Order 42A Rule 1(5)(1) of the Civil Procedure (Amendment) (Judicial Review) Rules, SI 75 of 2003

    Judicial review applications must be commenced within three months from the occurrence of the act complained of unless the court finds good reason to extend the period.

  2. 02

    General legal maxim; referenced in the ruling

    Justice delayed is justice denied; fairness requires timely resolution of appeals.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The court found that the applicant's appeal against his dismissal from Makerere University had not been heard or determined within a reasonable time, resulting in the loss of two academic semesters. The court considered this delay inordinate and unfair, amounting to a denial of justice. The statutory three-month period for seeking judicial review could be extended where good reason exists, and the unexplained delay by the University constituted such a reason. The court therefore granted the applicant leave to commence judicial review proceedings outside the prescribed period, ordering that the action be filed within one month from the date of the ruling.

Obiter and limits

  • This year, 2008, this Court has received several hundred cases in judicial review, emanating from the same University, centering on the question of the right to be heard.
  • The present case is difficult because the applicant was heard and a decision taken, but the appeal has not been decided within reasonable time.

Court disposition

application granted

  • The applicant is granted leave to commence judicial review proceedings outside the prescribed three-month period.
  • The applicant must file the action within one month from the date of this ruling.
  • Costs shall abide the final determination of the cause.

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

[2008] UGHC 36

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KAMPALA \par MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO 185 OF 2007 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 IN THE MATTER OF S.36 OF THE JUDICATURE ACT CAP 13 \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 AND \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 IN THE MATTER OF RULE 5 (1) OF THE CIVIL PROCEDURE \par (AMENDMENT) (JUDICIAL REVIEW) RULES S. I 75 OF 2003 \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 AND \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 IN THE MATTER OF THE DECISION BY FACULTY OF SOCIAL \par SCIENCES EXAMINATION IRREGULARITIES AND APPEALS \par COMMITTEE \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 AND \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 IN THE MATTER OF THE DECISION OF MAKERERE \par UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC REGISRAR TO }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 DISMISS BYAMUKAMA EDSON}{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 AND \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION TO EXTEND THE PERIOD WITHIN \par WHICH TO FILE AN APPLICATION FOR \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323

LEAVE TO APPLY FOR MANDAMUS AND CERTIORARI \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3670323 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 \par BEFORE: HON. JUSTICE J. P. M TABARO \par \par RULING: \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid3670323 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 \par }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 Edson Byamukama filed this application for extension of time so as to seek judicial review of the decision s taken by Makerere University Senate. The applicant was a student of the University until 27-6-2007 when The University Academic Registrar informed him that he had been dismissed from the University for engaging in Examinations Malpractices. \par \par On 2-9-2007 this applicant appealed to the University Senate (of Makerere) but he has never received any response from the University; the appeal, in plain terms, has never been heard. \par \par The present application seeks extension of time to pursue judicial review, as alr eady indicated; in terms of and by virtue of 0.42A Rule 1(5)(1) of the Civil Procedure (Amendment) Judicial Review Rules 2003 ST 75 of 2003 the action must be commenced within 3 months from the occurrence of the act

complained of unless Court considers th at there is good reason for extending the period within which the application shall be made. \par \par The appeal against the findings and decision of the Senate Examinations Committee was made in June, 2007. Applicant as already indicated made his appeal in September, 2007, but has never known his fate \endash whether the appeal was successful or unsuccessful. It is common knowledge that Semesters are ordinarily 4 months long, and hence the applicant has lost two semesters equivalent to one academic year, without bein g informed of the results of the appeal. I consider this delay inordinate, which raises the question of fairness of the proceedings. It is often said, in common parlance, that justice delayed is justice denied. It appears to me, prima facie, a case cou ld be made out for certiorari and mandamus so to compel the University to take action, either way. The application is therefore granted and the applicant is ordered to commence his action within a month from the date hereof. \par \par This year, 2008 this Court has received several hundred cases in judicial review, emanating from the same University, entering on the question of the right to be heard. Consequently, I ordered that the applicants select a test case. Eventually }{ \b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 Mulungwa Monica Eunice Vs.

Makerere University & 2 others, HCT-00-CV-MC 0009- 2008 }{\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 was chosen as the test case, by which the rest shall stand or fall. \par \par However, the present case is difficult because the applicant was heard and a decision taken. The complaint is that the appeal has not been deci ded within reasonable time. Hence their case shall be decided on its own merits and will not depend on the outcome of Mulungwa\rquote s case (supra). But as already indicated leave to pursue judicial review outside the 3 months prescribed by law, is granted. Costs shall abide the final determination of the cause. \par \par \par }{\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12137366\charrsid3670323 J. P. M. Tabaro \par Judge \par 2-5-2008 \par }}

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Authorities

Authorities used by the court

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

Mulungwa Monica Eunice Vs. Makerere University & 2 others, HCT-00-CV-MC 0009-2008

Case cited

Judicature Act Cap 13

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

Order 42A Rule 1(5)(1) of the Civil Procedure (Amendment) (Judicial Review) Rules, SI 75 of 2003

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

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