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Laze v Uganda (Criminal Revision Order 14/91) [1991] UGHC 82 (30 August 1991)
- Citation
- [1991] UGHC 82
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Panel
- Okello, J
- Case number
- Criminal Revision Order 14/91
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Panel
- Okello, J
- Case number
- Criminal Revision Order 14/91
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The sentence of 3.5 years imprisonment imposed on the accused for causing death by careless use of a motor vehicle was illegal as it exceeded the statutory maximum of two years under section 158(2)(b) of the Traffic and Road Safety Act 1970. Additionally, the imposition of the maximum fine on a first offender was not justified by the circumstances. The court found that the convictions were proper based on unequivocal pleas and facts, but the sentences required revision. The sentences for both counts, arising from the same transaction, should run concurrently in accordance with established judicial practice and precedent. The court substituted a lawful sentence of 1.5 years imprisonment for count 1, maintained the fine, and ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in the accused's immediate release.
Court disposition
sentence revised; accused released forthwith
Orders
- The sentence of 3.5 years imprisonment in count 1 is set aside and substituted with 1.5 years imprisonment.
- The fine of 5000/= in count 1 is upheld.
- The sentences of imprisonment in counts 1 and 2 are to run concurrently.
- The accused is to be released forthwith.
02
Material facts
Parties
Laze
AccusedUganda
Prosecutor Counsel: Maureen OworAmounts and remedies
- Fine Imposed: UGX 5,000
03
Procedural history
Posture
Criminal Revision / Revision Order
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the sentence of 3.5 years imprisonment imposed for causing death by careless use of a motor vehicle was legal under the Traffic and Road Safety Act 1970.
- 02
Whether the fine imposed was appropriate for a first offender under the relevant statutory provisions.
- 03
Whether the sentences for the two counts should run concurrently or consecutively.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The accused did not make submissions, but the revision was initiated by the court due to concerns over the legality of the sentence imposed, specifically its length and the imposition of the maximum fine on a first offender.
- Respondent
- The DPP, through State Attorney Maureen Owor, agreed with the court's view that the sentence was illegal and did not wish to be heard further in the event of a revision order being made.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Traffic and Road Safety Act 1970, section 158(2)(b)
Under section 158(2)(b) of the Traffic and Road Safety Act 1970, the sentence of imprisonment for causing death by careless use of a motor vehicle must not be less than six months and not exceed two years.
- 02
Sentencing practice and judicial precedent
The established practice is not to award the maximum sentence or fine to a first offender unless circumstances demand it.
- 03
R v Sewedi Mukasa (1946) 13 EACA 97
Concurrent sentences should be ordered for offences committed in the course of the same transaction.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The sentence of 3.5 years imprisonment imposed on the accused for causing death by careless use of a motor vehicle was illegal as it exceeded the statutory maximum of two years under section 158(2)(b) of the Traffic and Road Safety Act 1970. Additionally, the imposition of the maximum fine on a first offender was not justified by the circumstances. The court found that the convictions were proper based on unequivocal pleas and facts, but the sentences required revision. The sentences for both counts, arising from the same transaction, should run concurrently in accordance with established judicial practice and precedent. The court substituted a lawful sentence of 1.5 years imprisonment for count 1, maintained the fine, and ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in the accused's immediate release.
Obiter and limits
- The practice is not to award maximum sentences to first offenders unless circumstances demand it.
- Sentences arising from the same transaction should generally run concurrently, not consecutively.
Court disposition
sentence revised; accused released forthwith
- The sentence of 3.5 years imprisonment in count 1 is set aside and substituted with 1.5 years imprisonment.
- The fine of 5000/= in count 1 is upheld.
- The sentences of imprisonment in counts 1 and 2 are to run concurrently.
- The accused is to be released forthwith.
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
THE REPUBLIC CF UGANDA
IN the CHIEF MAGISTRATES\*S COURT nF ARUA
CRIMINAL REVISION ORDER 1A/91.
LAZE ACCUSED
VERSUS
<sup>U</sup>ganda ::::::::::::::::: PROSECUTOR
BEFORE! THE HON. MR, JUSTICE G,M. OKELLO
REVISION ORDER:
The Accused was charged with and convicted on his own plea of guilty of traffic offences in two counts under the traffic and Road safety Act 1970\* In count 1, he was charged with and convicted of causing death by careless use of a motor vehicle contrary to sections 117 and 1J8 <2) (b) of the Traffic and Road safety Act 1970. He was sentenced to *y/z* years imprisonment with a fine of 5000/= in this couftt.
In count 2, he was charged with and convicted of driving a motor vehicle without a valid driving permit contrary to sections 128 (a) and 158 (2) (e) of the Traffic and Road safety Act 1970. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment. He was <sup>a</sup> first offender.
j
I was of the view that the sentence of 3/2 years imprisonment in count <sup>1</sup> above is illegal as it contravens section <sup>158</sup> (2) (b) of the Traffic and Road safety <sup>H</sup>ct 1970. Under this section sentence of imprisonment is not to be less than six months hut not to exceed two years imprisonment Secondly a fine of 5000/= is the maximum allowed by section <sup>158</sup> (2) (b). of the Traffic and ^oad safety Act 1970. The established practice is not to award maximum sentence on a first offender unless the circumstances of the case demands it. No such circumstances have been shown here. Thirdly no order was made as to whether the sentences of imprisonment were to run concurrently on consecutively. In practice sentences in two or more offences which arise from sanje transaction do not attract an order
to run consecutively, such sentences are ordered to run concurrently.
In R V Sewedi Mukasa (1946) 13 EACA 97, it was held that concurrent sentences should be ordered for offences committed in the course of some $...$ transaction.
When the relevant file was sent to the D. P. P. for his views, Maureen Owor a state Attormey who wrote the view for the DPP in her letter Ref: $6/4/2$ of $31/7/91$ agreed with the above views and did not wish to be heard in the event of a revision order being made.
The pleas on which the accused was convicted were recorded as follows:-
Countil "I understand the charge in count 1 and I did drive reclessly causing death of the victim".
Coust? \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*
In my view the above pleas are clearly unequivocal to the respective charres in counts 1 and 2. Hence the convictions are proper. Moreover the narrated facts reveal the commission of the offences charged.
However the sentence of 3% years imprisonment in count 1 is illegal as shown above. It is accordingly set aside and in its place it is substituted a sentence of 1% years imprisonment. The fine of $5000/$ shall not be disturbed. The sontences of imprisonment in count 1 and in count 2 are to run concurrently. The effect is that the accused should new be released forthwith,
G. M. CKELLO JUDGE.
30/8/91
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