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Odyek Peter v Cong & 4 oers (Civil App.No.22 Of 2005) (Civil App.No.22 of 2005) [2008] UGHC 108 (30 October 2008)
- Citation
- [2008] UGHC 108
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Civil Appeal / Judgment
- Case number
- Civil App.No.22 of 2005
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Civil Appeal / Judgment
- Case number
- Civil App.No.22 of 2005
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The appellant failed to discharge the burden of proving exclusive ownership of the disputed land. His evidence lacked specificity regarding boundaries, features, or developments indicating private ownership. The testimony of his witnesses was consistent with the respondents' assertion that the land was communal grazing land used by multiple kraal leaders. The appellant did not provide plausible reasons for failing to object to the respondents' use of the land for an extended period. Even if ownership had been established, the respondents' long, undisturbed occupation would have conferred bona fide occupancy rights under the Land Act. The tribunal's decision that the land was communal and its order on costs were upheld. The appeal was dismissed, and costs of the appeal were awarded to the respondents, while each party was to bear its own costs before the Land Tribunal.
Court disposition
appeal dismissed
Orders
- Appeal is dismissed.
- Respondents are awarded costs of the appeal.
- Each party to bear its own costs before the Apac District Land Tribunal.
02
Material facts
Parties
Odyek Peter
AppellantOcen Celestino
RespondentCong Francis
RespondentHellen Ogudi
RespondentOkello Fustino
RespondentLeo Dokori
RespondentOtile Walter
Respondent03
Procedural history
Posture
Civil Appeal / Judgment
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether the appellant proved exclusive ownership of the disputed land.
- 02
Whether the land in question is communal grazing land or privately owned.
- 03
Whether the tribunal erred in its evaluation of evidence and in its order on costs.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The appellant argued that the respondents unlawfully encroached on his land at Abongorwot village, Abedi Parish, measuring about 13 acres. He claimed ownership by succession from his father and grandfather and sought a declaration of ownership and a permanent injunction against the respondents. He contended that the tribunal disregarded his evidence and failed to properly evaluate the facts, resulting in a miscarriage of justice.
- Respondent
- The respondents asserted that the land was not privately owned but was communal grazing land used by several kraal leaders, including the appellant's ancestors. They argued that the appellant failed to prove exclusive ownership, did not show boundaries or features indicating private ownership, and had not objected to their use of the land for many years. They supported the tribunal's finding that the land was communal and challenged the appellant's claim to costs.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Section 101 Evidence Act, Cap. 6
The burden of proof lies on the party alleging ownership to prove it on a balance of probabilities.
- 02
Section 27(1) Civil Procedure Act
Costs are ordinarily awarded to the successful party, but the court has discretion to order otherwise with reasons.
- 03
Section 29 Land Act, Cap. 227
Long, undisturbed occupation may confer bona fide occupancy rights under the Land Act.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The appellant failed to discharge the burden of proving exclusive ownership of the disputed land. His evidence lacked specificity regarding boundaries, features, or developments indicating private ownership. The testimony of his witnesses was consistent with the respondents' assertion that the land was communal grazing land used by multiple kraal leaders. The appellant did not provide plausible reasons for failing to object to the respondents' use of the land for an extended period. Even if ownership had been established, the respondents' long, undisturbed occupation would have conferred bona fide occupancy rights under the Land Act. The tribunal's decision that the land was communal and its order on costs were upheld. The appeal was dismissed, and costs of the appeal were awarded to the respondents, while each party was to bear its own costs before the Land Tribunal.
Obiter and limits
- The absence of evidence of boundaries or developments is consistent with communal land use.
- Failure to object to occupation over a long period supports the communal nature of the land.
- The tribunal should have given reasons for its order on costs, but the circumstances justified each party bearing its own costs.
Court disposition
appeal dismissed
- Appeal is dismissed.
- Respondents are awarded costs of the appeal.
- Each party to bear its own costs before the Apac District Land Tribunal.
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
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)}}{\*\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 \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1190833 {\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA HOLDEN AT GULU \par HCT \endash 02 \endash CV \endash CA \endash 0022 OF 2005 \par (Arising from Apac Land Tribunal claim No. 0022/2005) \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1190833 {\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 \par }{\b\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 }{\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 ODYEK PETER :::::}{\b\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 :::::}{\b\insrsid7435233\charrsid11751977 :::::::::::::}{\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 :::::APPELLANT \par }{\b\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1190833 {\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977
VERSUS \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1190833 {\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-360\li720\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx720\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1190833 { \b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 OCEN CELESTINO \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}CONG FRANCIS \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}HELLEN OGUDI \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 4.\tab}OKELLO FUSTINO \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 5.\tab}LEO DOKORI \par {\listtext\pard\plain\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 6.\tab}OTILE WALTER:::::::::}{\b\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 ::::::}{\b\insrsid7435233\charrsid11751977 :::::::}{\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 :::RESPONDENTS
\par }\pard \ql \li360\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin360\itap0\pararsid1190833 {\b\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1190833 {\b\ul\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 BEFORE: HON. JUSTICE REMMY K. KASULE \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1190833 {\b\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 \par JUDGMENT \par }{\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 \par \tab The appellant appealed to this court against a decision of Apac District land Tribunal of 20}{\super\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 th}{\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 July, 2005 in claim No. 005 of 2003. \par \tab In the }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 L}{\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 and }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid3081013\charrsid11751977 ribunal, Odyek Peter, herein the appellant, was the claimant, and the respondents herein, were the defendants. \par \tab The appellant claimed that the respondents had unlawfully encroached on his land at Abongorwot village, Abedi Parish, measuring about 13 acres, and unregistered. \par }{\insrsid5512708\charrsid11751977 \tab The }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 L}{\insrsid5512708\charrsid11751977 and }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977
T}{\insrsid5512708\charrsid11751977 ribunal was prayed to issue a declaration that the l}{ \insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 and belonged to the appellant, }{\insrsid5512708\charrsid11751977 and issue a permanent injunction evicting and preventing respondents from using the same. \par \tab Each party to the dispute adduced evidence before the }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid5512708\charrsid11751977 ribunal, the locus in quo was visited and at end of trial, the }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 T}{ \insrsid5512708\charrsid11751977 ribunal held that the appellant was not the owner of the land}{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 ,}{\insrsid5512708\charrsid11751977 the same was communal grazing land and ordered that e}{ \insrsid16666970\charrsid11751977 a}{\insrsid5512708\charrsid11751977 ch party bears its own costs. \par \tab There are three grounds of appeal. \par The first and third grounds were argued together. They will also be considered together in this judgment. \par }{\insrsid13707696\charrsid11751977 The first ground complains that the tribunal erred in law and fact in reaching its judgment and orders that both parties to the dispute continue using the suit land, in total disregard of the evidence adduced by the appellant and his witnesses, thus occasioning a miscarriage of justice}{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 .
I}{\insrsid13707696\charrsid11751977 n the third ground the complaint is that the }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid13707696\charrsid11751977 ribunal failed to evaluate the evidence }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 o}{\insrsid13707696\charrsid11751977 n recor d, causing a miscarriage of justice. \par }{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 \tab The burden was on the appellant to prove on a balance of probabilities that he was the owner of the suit land. one who alleges has the duty to provide the proof: see section 101 Evidence Act, Cap. 6: see also IMMACULATE NTUJA VS SSERUNJOGI & OTH}{ \insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 E}{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 RS (200-2005) HCB 121 \par \tab An evaluation of the evidence before the }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 L}{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 and }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 ribunal shows that the }{\insrsid9633995\charrsid11751977 appellant\rquote s}{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 evidence before the }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 ribunal was an assertion that he was the owner of the land having acquired the same by succeeding to his }{ \insrsid9633995\charrsid11751977 father}{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 Siperino Oyengo who in turn had succeeded to the land from Omara Juma the appellant\rquote s grandfather. \par
\tab The appellant did not describe any boundaries as being those of his land, did not name any features on the land showing that the land was his, he did not name or show any structures of his or those of the previous owners from whom he obtained title to the land. Though, through a}{\insrsid9633995\charrsid11751977 }{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 question to DW2, Walter Otile, claimant tended to suggest that there were remains of a grandchild on this land, he did }{\insrsid9633995\charrsid11751977 not}{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 point out and show to the }{ \insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 ribunal this grave; let alone did he testify as to the particulars of who this grandchild was. \par \tab }{\insrsid9633995\charrsid11751977 The evidence of the appellant\rquote s witnesses, PW2, Nakol Okidi, PW3, Salim Bwana, PW4 Leon Oculi, PW5, Alex Oming, PW6, Onapa Margaret, PW7, Lenison }{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 }{ \insrsid3702590\charrsid11751977 Owiny, and PW8, Ben Okunyu, is devoid of any specifics as to the exact borders, existence of any features, or any evidence of use by the appellant, or the }{\insrsid5186833\charrsid11751977 appellant\rquote s}{ \insrsid3702590\charrsid11751977 stated successors-in-title of the suit land to establish ownership thereof.}{\insrsid13131351\charrsid11751977 \par
}{\insrsid2490497\charrsid11751977 \tab Indeed the evidence of PW2, PW3, PW5, PW6 and PW7 is more }{\insrsid5186833\charrsid11751977 consistent}{\insrsid2490497\charrsid11751977 with the assertion of the respondents that the land in question did not belong to the exclusive use of one individual, but rather to the communal use for grazing of a}{\insrsid5186833\charrsid11751977 }{\insrsid2490497\charrsid11751977 number of kraals whose heads included Omara Juma, the grandfather of the appellant, Yusuto Ogwang, Terencio Ayeke, and Edward Poro, amongst others. The names mentioned by the }{\insrsid5186833\charrsid11751977 appellant\rquote s}{\insrsid2490497\charrsid11751977 witnesses, as having been the ones using the land are very much similar to those mentioned by DW8, Lawrence Okwir, as having been the kraal leaders, when the land was being used communally for grazing purposes. \par \tab The fact that the appellant, and his witnesses, did not adduce evidence or show to the }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid2490497\charrsid11751977 ribunal any evidence of what the appellant or his predecessors}{ \insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 -}{\insrsid2490497\charrsid11751977 in}{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 -}{\insrsid2490497\charrsid11751977 title had put on the land by way of development as owner and occupier of the suit land, let alone to show any boundaries of the suit
land, is consistent with the version of the respondents that the land was communal and for grazing with no }{ \insrsid5186833\charrsid11751977 permanent}{\insrsid2490497\charrsid11751977 features for }{\insrsid5186833\charrsid11751977 permanent and}{\insrsid2490497\charrsid11751977 }{\insrsid5186833\charrsid11751977 continuous}{\insrsid2490497\charrsid11751977 stay by any particular owner. \par }{\insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 \tab The appellant also failed to offer any plausible explanation, why, since the death of his father, when}{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 ,}{\insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 he assert, he became the owner of the land, up to 2003, he never stopped the respondents from using the }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 l}{\insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 and, by way of cultivation and yet they started doing so since 1985. By failing to take action against the respondent}{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 s}{\insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 , is consistent with the respondents}{ \insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 \rquote }{\insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 , assertion that there was }{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 n}{\insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 o single owner of this land}{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 ,}{ \insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 the same being communal. \par \tab It also follows, that even if it were to be held as proved, which is not
the case, that the appellant ha}{\insrsid14754840\charrsid11751977 d}{\insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 proved that he is the owner of the suit land, by having }{ \insrsid9926892\charrsid11751977 let the}{\insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 respondents on the land to settle and use the same }{\insrsid9926892\charrsid11751977 undisturbed from}{\insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 1985 to 2003, or there about, such along period, then the respondents became bonafide occupants }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 of }{\insrsid2573486\charrsid11751977 the suit land in terms of the then section 29 of the Land Act, cap. 227. \par \tab It is the holding of this court, on re-evaluating the evidence, that the appellant did not discharge the burden of proving that he was the owner of the suit land to the exclusive ownership, use and occupation of others as communal land. Both grounds 1 and 3 of the appeal fail. \par }{\insrsid3614764\charrsid11751977 \tab The second ground complains that the }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 L}{\insrsid3614764\charrsid11751977 and }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid3614764\charrsid11751977 ribun al erred in ordering that each party bears its own costs of the proceedings before the }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 L}{\insrsid3614764\charrsid11751977 and }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid3614764\charrsid11751977 ribunal. \par \tab Section
27}{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 (1}{\insrsid3614764\charrsid11751977 ) of the Civil Procedure Act provides that, in normal circumstances, costs should be awarded to the successful party. The section however also provides}{ \insrsid2382357\charrsid11751977 for discretion to be exercised, when court finds it appropriate, by court ordering with reasons, which party is to receive costs of the suit. }{\b\insrsid2382357\charrsid11751977 See ELECTORAL COMMISSION VS SEBASTIAN SSEBAGALA: ELECTION PETIT}{\b\insrsid15733517\charrsid11751977 I}{\b\insrsid2382357\charrsid11751977 ON NO. 1 OF 2003 (HCB) 2001-2005)84.}{\b\insrsid3614764\charrsid11751977 \par }{\insrsid2382357\charrsid11751977 \tab In this particular case the }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 La}{\insrsid2382357\charrsid11751977 nd }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid2382357\charrsid11751977 ribunal ordered each party to bear its won costs. No }{\insrsid13968640\charrsid11751977 r}{\insrsid2382357\charrsid11751977 easons were given for such order. The }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 L}{\insrsid2382357\charrsid11751977 and }{ \insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 T}{\insrsid2382357\charrsid11751977 ribunal ought too have given reasons}{\insrsid14034628\charrsid11751977 for ordering each party to bear its own costs.}{\insrsid2382357\charrsid11751977 \par }{\insrsid14034628\charrsid11751977 \tab This court on
reconsideration of the }{\insrsid13968640\charrsid11751977 circumstances}{\insrsid14034628\charrsid11751977 of the case, which are that the suit land was communal land, that the parties to the suit belong}{\insrsid13968640\charrsid11751977 to the community using the land, to }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 t}{\insrsid13968640\charrsid11751977 he non exclusion of any one of them, the order that each party bears its own costs of the proceedings in the }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 L}{\insrsid13968640\charrsid11751977 and }{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 T}{ \insrsid13968640\charrsid11751977 ribunal was fair and appropriate. This court maintains the same order, regardless of the outcome of }{\insrsid4419675\charrsid11751977 this}{\insrsid13968640\charrsid11751977 appeal. The second ground of appeal also fails}{\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 .}{\insrsid14034628\charrsid11751977 \par }{\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 \tab The three grounds of appeal having failed, this appeal stands dismissed. \par \tab The respondents}{\insrsid4799055\charrsid11751977 being successful in resisting the appeal, }{\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 are awarded the costs of the dismissed appeal. As already held, each party is to bear its own costs of the proceedings before the Apac District Land Tribunal. \par \par \par .............................................. \par Remmy K. Kasule \par Judge \par 31}{\super\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 st}{\insrsid1190833\charrsid11751977 October, 2008 \par }{\insrsid13707696\charrsid11751977 \tab \tab \par }{\insrsid5512708\charrsid11751977 \tab \tab \tab \par }}
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