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Uganda Judgment

High Court of Uganda

Martin Mawata v Uganda (Criminal Appeal No. 191 of 1970) [1970] UGHC 1 (13 July 1970)

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01

Holding and result

The appeal against sentence lacks merit as the sentence imposed was justified by the appellant's prior conviction and the brutality of the offence. The trial magistrate's omission of the mandatory police supervision order was an error, which the appellate court corrected by imposing police supervision for three years upon release. The original sentence of imprisonment and compensation is confirmed, and the additional police supervision order is imposed to comply with statutory requirements.

Court disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal against sentence is dismissed.
  • The accused is to be placed under police supervision for a period of 3 years with effect from his release.
  • The sentence of 3.5 years' imprisonment and compensation order of 200/- is confirmed.

02

Material facts

Parties

Martin Mawata

Appellant

Uganda

Respondent

Amounts and remedies

  • Compensation to Complainant: UGX 200

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Criminal Appeal / Judgment

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Party arguments

Applicant
The appellant challenged the severity of the sentence imposed, arguing that it was excessive given his plea of guilty and the circumstances of the case. He sought a reduction or alteration of the sentence.
Respondent
The respondent maintained that the sentence was appropriate, highlighting the appellant's previous conviction for assault and the brutality of the attack. The respondent also pointed out the omission of the mandatory police supervision order, which should have been imposed.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Penal Code Act, Sections 272, 273(1)(a), 273(3)

    A person convicted of robbery under Sections 272 and 273(1)(a) of the Penal Code Act is subject to imprisonment and compensation orders.

  2. 02

    Criminal Procedure Code, Section 321A

    Where mandatory police supervision is required upon release, the court must impose such an order under Section 321A of the Criminal Procedure Code.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The appeal against sentence lacks merit as the sentence imposed was justified by the appellant's prior conviction and the brutality of the offence. The trial magistrate's omission of the mandatory police supervision order was an error, which the appellate court corrected by imposing police supervision for three years upon release. The original sentence of imprisonment and compensation is confirmed, and the additional police supervision order is imposed to comply with statutory requirements.

Obiter and limits

  • The court notes that only God's providence saved the life of the complainant, underscoring the seriousness of the offence.
  • The appellate court has the authority to correct omissions in sentencing where mandatory orders are required by law.

Court disposition

appeal dismissed

  • The appeal against sentence is dismissed.
  • The accused is to be placed under police supervision for a period of 3 years with effect from his release.
  • The sentence of 3.5 years' imprisonment and compensation order of 200/- is confirmed.

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

[1970] UGHC 1

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\ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033{\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0\rtlch\ltrch\dbch\hich\i\loch\i [Original Criminal Case No. MHA.1093 of 1969 of the Magistrate\'92s Court of Masaka at Masaka Before: N. M. Patel, Esq., Magistrate Grade I]} \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ai\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\i\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1040\loch\f1\fs24\lang1040 {\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1040\i0\b0 MARTIN MAWATA . \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPELLANT} \par \pard\plain

\ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1040\loch\f1\fs24\lang1040 \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0\qc{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1040\loch\f1\fs24\lang1040 {\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1040\i0\b0 VERSUS} \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1040\loch\f1\fs24\lang1040 \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033{\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0{\ltrch\hich\lang1040\loch\lang1040 UGANDA. \'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85.\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85\'85}}{\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0 RESPONDENT} \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ab\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\b\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\b \par \pard\plain

\ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033{\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0{\rtlch\ltrch\dbch\hich\b\loch\b 14}}{\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0{{\*\updnprop5800}\up6\rtlch\ltrch\dbch\hich\b\loch\b th}{\rtlch\ltrch\dbch\hich\b\loch\b July 1970.}} \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ab\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\b\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\b \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033{\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0\rtlch\ltrch\dbch\hich\b\loch\b BEFORE: A. W. K. MUKASA. J} \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ab\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\b\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\b \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ab\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\b\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\b {\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b JUDGMENT.} \par \pard\plain

\ltrpar\s8\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 {\rtlch \ltrch\loch }{\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0 The appellant Martin Mawata was convicted on his own plea of robbery contrary to Sections 272 and 273 (1) (a) of the Penal Code Act. He was sentenced to 3 \'bd years' imprisonment, and was ordered to pay 200/- compensation to the complainant, under S.273 (3) . The appeal is against sentence only.} \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 {\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0 Having perused the record, I see no merit in the appeal. The appellant had a previous conviction for assault and it was a

brutal attack upon the complainant, only God's providence did save the life of the complainant.} \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 {\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0 The trial magistrate, however, overlooked one more mandatory fact of the punishment, which the appellant deserved, and that is the Police supervision Order under S.321A of the Criminal Procedure Code.} \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 {\rtlch \ltrch\loch }{\rtlch \ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0 As this was an appeal against sentence, I will impose it myself to correct the record.} \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 {\rtlch

\ltrch\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033\i0\b0 The appeal against sentence is hereby dismissed and the accused is to be placed under police supervision for a period of 3 years with effect from his release; otherwise the sentence is confirmed.} \par \pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\cf0{\*\hyphen2\hyphlead2\hyphtrail2\hyphmax0}\aspalpha\ql\rtlch\afs24\lang1025\ltrch\dbch\af1\langfe1033\hich\f1\fs24\lang1033\loch\f1\fs24\lang1033 \par }

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Authorities

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Penal Code Act, Sections 272, 273(1)(a), 273(3)

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

Criminal Procedure Code, Section 321A

Legislation

Legislation referenced in the available case record.

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