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Uganda Judgment

High Court of Uganda

Oloya Vicent V The Attorney General (Civil Suit No. 50 of 1999) (Civil Suit No. 50 of 1999) [2009] UGHC 59 (29 January 2009)

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01

Holding and result

The court found that the UPDF lorry driver was negligent in crossing to the opposite side of the road and colliding with the plaintiff's lawfully parked vehicle. The evidence, including police reports and the absence of any rebuttal from the defendant, established that the driver was acting within the scope of his employment. The government, as employer, was therefore vicariously liable for the damages caused. The plaintiff proved special damages for repair costs, towing, alternative transport, and loss of maize flour, all of which were awarded. The claim for lost income was disallowed due to lack of credible evidence. General damages were awarded for inconvenience and deprivation of use, with interest at the commercial rate. Judgment was entered for the plaintiff with costs.

Court disposition

Judgment for the plaintiff against the defendant.

Orders

  • Plaintiff awarded UGX 3,756,000 for cost of repair.
  • Plaintiff awarded UGX 850,000 for value of 17 bags of maize flour wasted.
  • Plaintiff awarded UGX 500,000 for towing and transport expenses.
  • Plaintiff awarded UGX 3,000,000 as general damages.
  • Interest on the sums awarded at 20% per annum from 30.01.1999 until payment in full, except for general damages where interest runs from the date of judgment.
  • Plaintiff awarded costs of the suit.

02

Material facts

Parties

Oloya Vincent

Plaintiff

The Attorney General

Defendant

Amounts and remedies

  • Cost of Repair: UGX 3,756,000
  • Value of 17 Bags of Maize Flour: UGX 850,000
  • Towing and Transport Expenses: UGX 500,000
  • General Damages: UGX 3,000,000

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Civil Suit / Judgment

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Party arguments

Applicant
The plaintiff argued that while lawfully parked on the proper side of the road, his vehicle was struck by a UPDF lorry driven negligently without lights, resulting in extensive damage to his vehicle and loss of maize flour. He claimed the driver was acting in the course of employment and that the government was vicariously liable for the loss and damages suffered.
Respondent
The defendant did not call any witnesses or present any evidence to rebut the plaintiff's claims.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    PAULO KATO VS UGANDAN TRANSPORT CORPORATION (1975) HCB 120

    A driver of a motor vehicle is under a duty to take reasonable care for the safety of other traffic on the road to avoid a collision. Negligence is established if a driver fails to take precautions when a danger is reasonably apparent.

  2. 02

    ASADI MUGUMUZA VS AGIP PETROL STATION (1975) HCB 288

    An employer is vicariously liable for the acts of its employee if the employee was acting within the scope of employment at the material time.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The court found that the UPDF lorry driver was negligent in crossing to the opposite side of the road and colliding with the plaintiff's lawfully parked vehicle. The evidence, including police reports and the absence of any rebuttal from the defendant, established that the driver was acting within the scope of his employment. The government, as employer, was therefore vicariously liable for the damages caused. The plaintiff proved special damages for repair costs, towing, alternative transport, and loss of maize flour, all of which were awarded. The claim for lost income was disallowed due to lack of credible evidence. General damages were awarded for inconvenience and deprivation of use, with interest at the commercial rate. Judgment was entered for the plaintiff with costs.

Obiter and limits

  • General damages are awarded at the discretion of the court and must be assessed based on the circumstances of inconvenience and deprivation suffered by the plaintiff.
  • Special damages must be specifically pleaded and strictly proved; unsupported claims, such as for lost income without records, will be disallowed.

Court disposition

Judgment for the plaintiff against the defendant.

  • Plaintiff awarded UGX 3,756,000 for cost of repair.
  • Plaintiff awarded UGX 850,000 for value of 17 bags of maize flour wasted.
  • Plaintiff awarded UGX 500,000 for towing and transport expenses.
  • Plaintiff awarded UGX 3,000,000 as general damages.
  • Interest on the sums awarded at 20% per annum from 30.01.1999 until payment in full, except for general damages where interest runs from the date of judgment.
  • Plaintiff awarded costs of the suit.

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High Court of Uganda

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Judgment text

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High Court of Uganda

Judgment

[2009] UGHC 59

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{\b\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par IN THE HIGH COURT OF UGANDA \par AT GULU \par CIVIL SUIT NO. 50 OF 1999 \par \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4076880 {\b\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 OLOYA VINCENT::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::PLAINTIFF \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4076880 {\b\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 VERSUS \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4076880 {\b\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:::::::::::::::::::::::::DEFENDANT \par \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4076880 {\b\ul\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 BEFORE: HONOURABLE JUSTICE REMMY K. KASULE \par \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\b\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 JUDGMENT \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1464960 {\b\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 \par }{\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 The plaintiff sued the defendant in the defendant\rquote s vicarious capacity in respect of a motor-vehicle accident involving the motor-vehicle of the

plaintiff and that of the Uganda People\rquote s Defence Forces, the army of Uganda Government. In the accident, the plaintiff alleges, he suffered loss and he seeks damages from Government by reason thereof. \par \par Three issues were framed:- \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 1.\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-540\li900\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx900\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls1\adjustright\rin0\lin900\itap0\pararsid1464960 { \insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 Whether or not the accident was caused by the negligence of the defendant\rquote s agent/employee. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid1464960\charrsid2235849 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 2.\tab}}{\insrsid1464960\charrsid2235849 Whether}{\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 or not the defendant is liable for the damages caused. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 3.\tab}What are the remedies }{\insrsid1464960\charrsid2235849 available?}{\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1464960 {\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 \par The plaintiff testified and called not witnesses. The defendant did not call any witness at all. \par \par As to the first issue}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ,}{\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849 the plaintiff\rquote s

evidence is that on 30.01.1999 at 8.00 p.m.}{\insrsid5582242\charrsid2235849 he was lawfully driving}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ,}{ \insrsid5582242\charrsid2235849 but had parked on the proper side of the road}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ,}{\insrsid5582242\charrsid2235849 his motor-vehicle Isuzu pick-up registration number 162 UED, carrying 35 bags of maize }{ \insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 floor}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 .}{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 }{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 Plaintiff\rquote s said motor vehicle, w}{\insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 hi}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ch was stationary at the time, }{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 was }{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 then }{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 knocked by a Tata lorry registration Number DO 4DF 035 belonging and being driven by a UPDF soldier}{ \insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 . A}{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 s a result}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ,}{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 the plaintiff\rquote s vehicle got extensively damaged and his }{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 maize floor t}{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 hereon got spoilt. }{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 The accident happened at Layibi Trading Centre, Kampal}{\insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 a}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 Gulu Road. }{ \insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 The

defendant\rquote s said motor-vehicle was being driven in the opposite direction to that of the plaintiff, and it first knocked a bus }{\insrsid1464960\charrsid2235849 Isuzu}{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 , registration number 818 UAN before knocking that of the plaintiff. The bus was moving in front of and in the same direction the plaintiff}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 \rquote s motor \endash vehicle was facing.}{\insrsid4076880\charrsid2235849

\par }{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 \par The plaintiff saw that the defendant\rquote s lorry }{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 causing the accident }{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 did not have lights at the material time, and that the driver of the same lost control of it, left his proper side of the road }{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 crossed }{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 to the }{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 opposite }{ \insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 side where the plaintiff was lawfully}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 parking his vehicle,}{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 and thus caused the accident. Plaintiff reported the accident to Gulu }{ \insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 P}{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 olice }{\insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 S}{\insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 tation, police came and drew a sketch plan}{\insrsid9900515\charrsid2235849 . The P}{ \insrsid5854541\charrsid2235849 olice Report Form 37 and sketch plan were tendered evidence as exhibit P1 and P2 respectively. \par }{\insrsid9900515\charrsid2235849 \par A driver of a motor-vehicle is under a duty to take reasonable care for the safety of other traffic on the road to avoid a collision. This duty involves taking all measures to avoid collision. Once a possibility of danger e merging is reasonably apparent, and no precautions are taken by that driver, then the driver is negligent,

notwithstanding that the other driver or road user is in breach of some traffic regulations or even negligent: see }{ \b\insrsid9900515\charrsid2235849 PAULO KAT}{\b\insrsid14289779\charrsid2235849 O}{\b\insrsid9900515\charrsid2235849 VS UGANDAN TRANSPORT CORPORATION (1975) HCB 120. \par \par }{\insrsid9900515\charrsid2235849 Court has considered the testimony evidence of the plaintiff and also studied the sketch plan}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ;}{\insrsid9900515\charrsid2235849 and concludes that in driving from his side to the opposite side}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ,}{\insrsid9900515\charrsid2235849 where the plaintiff was lawfully parking}{\insrsid14289779\charrsid2235849 and thus knocking the plaintiff\rquote s vehicle}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ,}{\insrsid14289779\charrsid2235849 the driver of the UPDF Tata lorry was negligent in causing the accident.}{\insrsid9900515\charrsid2235849 \par }{\insrsid14289779\charrsid2235849 \par The second issue is whether or not the defendant is liable for the damages caused. \par \par The evidence on record is to the effect that the UPDF vehicle was, after the accident towed to Gulu police station, and according to exhibit P3, the O. C. Traffic Gulu Police station, later released the s}{\insrsid1389104\charrsid2235849 a}{ \insrsid14289779\charrsid2235849 me to Col. Oketta, who also invited the plaintiff to go and deal

with the UPDF about the accident. Court infers }{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 in absence of defence evidence to the contrary, }{ \insrsid14289779\charrsid2235849 from this conduct of the UPDF that the driver of the vehicle}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ,}{\insrsid14289779\charrsid2235849 causing the accident}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ,}{\insrsid14289779\charrsid2235849 was an authorized }{\insrsid1464960\charrsid2235849 one,}{\insrsid14289779\charrsid2235849 at the material}{\insrsid1389104\charrsid2235849 time}{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 ,}{\insrsid1389104\charrsid2235849 and that he was acting in the course and within the }{\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 scope }{\insrsid1389104\charrsid2235849 of his such employment when the accident happened. The defendant is thus liable to the plaintiff for the damages caused: See }{\b\insrsid1389104\charrsid2235849 ASADI MUGUMUZA VS AGIP }{\b\insrsid2040318\charrsid2235849 P}{\b\insrsid1389104\charrsid2235849 ETROL STATION (1975) HCB 288}{\b\insrsid14289779\charrsid2235849 \par }{\insrsid1389104\charrsid2235849 As to the remedies available, plaintiff is entitled to damages, both special and general; the latter being awarded at the discretion of and after assessment by court, while the former have to be pleaded and strictly proved.}{\insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 \par \par }{\insrsid2639527\charrsid2235849 Plaintiff

proved that his motor-}{\insrsid1464960\charrsid2235849 vehicle}{\insrsid2639527\charrsid2235849 was damaged and was repaired at a costs of shs. 3,756,000/=. He tendered exhibit P6 the receipt paid for the repairs. He also paid shs 200,000/= to tow the vehicle to Gulu police station, shs 300,000/= to obtain alternative transport to take the maize to Gulu.}{\insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 }{\insrsid2639527\charrsid2235849 Following the accident, 17 bags of maize flour on the pickup got wasted; the cost of each bag being shs 50,000/= thus }{\insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 a }{\insrsid2639527\charrsid2235849 total of shs (50,000 x 17)= 850,000/=. Court accepts the evidence of the plaintiff as regards the items stated. Defendant never rebutted the same. The amounts are awarded to the plaintiff. \par \par As to lost income, plaintiff\rquote s assertion that he was earning shs 600,000/= per week and was claiming loss of income for nine years from 30.01.1999 to date, totaling shs 45,600,000/= is not supported by any credible evidence. Plaintiff produced no records, let alone tax returns to support this c laim. The same is disallowed as not proved. \par }{\insrsid16664777\charrsid2235849 \par The accident however deprived the plaintiff of the use of}{\insrsid1464960\charrsid2235849 }{\insrsid16664777\charrsid2235849 his motor-vehicle, subjected him to inconvenience in repairing the

vehicle and in following up the matters with police and the UPDF. Plaintiff is thus e ntitled to be awarded damages for such inconvenience suffered. Court awards plaintiff shs 3,000,000/= general damages,}{\insrsid1464960\charrsid2235849 }{\insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 and }{\insrsid16664777\charrsid2235849 being a business person, plaintiff is awarded interest on the sums awarded at the commercial rate of 20% p.a. \par \par In conclusion judgment is entered for the plaintiff against the defendant for:- \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 a)\tab}}\pard \qj \fi-525\li885\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\jclisttab\tx885\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\ls2\adjustright\rin0\lin885\itap0\pararsid1464960 { \insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 Shs 3,756,000/= cost of repair.}{\insrsid16664777\charrsid2235849 \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 b)\tab}}{\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 Shs. 850,000/= value of 17 bags of maize flour}{\insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 wasted}{\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 . \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 c)\tab}Shs. 500,000/= towing and transport expenses. \par {\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 d)\tab}Shs. 3,000,000/= general damages. \par

{\listtext\pard\plain\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 \hich\af0\dbch\af0\loch\f0 e)\tab}Interest on the sums awarded th e rate of 20% p.a. from 30.01.1999, the date of the accident till payment in full, except in respect of the general damages, in (d) above, the rate interest is to run from the date of this judgment to payment in full. \par }\pard \qj \li0\ri0\sl360\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1464960 {\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 \par The plaintiff is }{\insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 also }{\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 awarded the costs in this suit. \par \par }{\insrsid1186598\charrsid2235849 \par }{\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 ................................ \par Remmy K. Kasule \par Judge \par 30}{\super\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 th}{\insrsid10503049\charrsid2235849 January, 2009 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid2235849\charrsid2235849 \par }}

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PAULO KATO VS UGANDAN TRANSPORT CORPORATION (1975) HCB 120

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ASADI MUGUMUZA VS AGIP PETROL STATION (1975) HCB 288

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