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Uganda v Tibemanzi Deus (Criminal Revision No. HCT-00-CR-CV-CO-02-2006) (Criminal Revision No. HCT-00-CR-CV-CO-02-2006) [2006] UGHC 47 (1 November 2006)
- Citation
- [2006] UGHC 47
- Status
- Judgment
- Jurisdiction
- Uganda
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Criminal Revision / Revisional Order
- Case number
- Criminal Revision No. HCT-00-CR-CV-CO-02-2006
- Language
- English
More details
- Court
- High Court of Uganda
- Posture
- Criminal Revision / Revisional Order
- Case number
- Criminal Revision No. HCT-00-CR-CV-CO-02-2006
- Language
- English
On this page
Professional case brief
Research organized from the available case record
01
Holding and result
The court found that the facts presented to the accused did not amount to conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace as required by section 167(d) of the Penal Code Act. Merely taking a photograph of the President without permission, in the absence of riotous or disturbing conduct, does not constitute the offence of being idle and disorderly. The conviction and sentence imposed by the trial Magistrate were therefore unlawful and must be quashed. The accused's actions did not meet the legal threshold for a breach of the peace, and the law must be interpreted strictly to avoid criminalizing conduct that does not disturb public order.
Court disposition
conviction_quashed
Orders
- The conviction of Tubemanzi Deus for being idle and disorderly is quashed.
- The one month's prison sentence imposed by the trial Magistrate is set aside.
- The Deputy Registrar (Crime) is to send a copy of this order to the accused through the lower court.
02
Material facts
Parties
Uganda
ApplicantTubemanzi Deus
Respondent03
Procedural history
Posture
Criminal Revision / Revisional Order
04
Questions and positions
Legal issues
- 01
Whether photographing the President without permission constitutes the offence of being idle and disorderly under section 167(d) of the Penal Code Act.
- 02
Whether the facts as narrated to the accused disclose a conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace within the meaning of the law.
- 03
Whether the conviction and sentence imposed by the trial Magistrate were lawful.
Party arguments
- Applicant
- The prosecution alleged that Tubemanzi Deus publicly conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by photographing the President without permission, and charged him under section 167(d) of the Penal Code Act. The facts presented were that the accused took a photograph at a public rally, was arrested, and admitted to the act.
- Respondent
- The Directorate of Public Prosecutions opined that the facts did not disclose the offence of being idle and disorderly. Photographing the President without consent does not amount to conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace as defined by section 167(d) of the Penal Code Act. The conviction was therefore erroneous.
05
Court’s reasoning
Legal principles
- 01
Section 167(d) of the Penal Code Act (Cap. 120)
A person is idle and disorderly if he or she publicly conducts himself or herself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.
- 02
Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus; Byrne's Law Dictionary
Breach of the peace means causing an unnecessary disturbance of the peace, such as riotous or unlawful assemblies, riots, affray, or instilling fear or terror.
06
Ratio, limits and disposition
Ratio decidendi
The court found that the facts presented to the accused did not amount to conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace as required by section 167(d) of the Penal Code Act. Merely taking a photograph of the President without permission, in the absence of riotous or disturbing conduct, does not constitute the offence of being idle and disorderly. The conviction and sentence imposed by the trial Magistrate were therefore unlawful and must be quashed. The accused's actions did not meet the legal threshold for a breach of the peace, and the law must be interpreted strictly to avoid criminalizing conduct that does not disturb public order.
Obiter and limits
- It is unfortunate that the accused must have already served the unlawful sentence.
- The Deputy Registrar (Crime) is instructed to send a copy of this order to the accused through the lower court to inform him that he has no record of a previous conviction now.
Court disposition
conviction_quashed
- The conviction of Tubemanzi Deus for being idle and disorderly is quashed.
- The one month's prison sentence imposed by the trial Magistrate is set aside.
- The Deputy Registrar (Crime) is to send a copy of this order to the accused through the lower court.
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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)}}{\*\pnseclvl8 \pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \s15\qc \li24\ri8\sb9\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin8\lin24\itap0\pararsid11010489 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489\charrsid8879854 THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA \par \par IN THE HIGH COURT OFUGANDA AT KAMPALA \par \par CRIMINAL REVISION NO. HCT-00-CR-CR-02-2006 \par \par (Arising from Kabale Criminal Case No. KAB-00-CR-CO-004) \par }\pard \s15\qj \li24\ri8\sb9\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin8\lin24\itap0 {\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489\charrsid8879854 \par UGANDA:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::}{\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::}{\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870\charrsid8879854 :}{ \b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870 PROSECUTOR}{\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489\charrsid8879854 \par \par }\pard \s15\qc \li24\ri8\sb9\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin8\lin24\itap0\pararsid8879854 {\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489\charrsid8879854 VERSUS \par }\pard \s15\qj \li24\ri8\sb9\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin8\lin24\itap0
{\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489\charrsid8879854 \par TIBEMANZI}{\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870 DEUS:::::::::::::::}{\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489\charrsid8879854 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::}{ \b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870\charrsid8879854 : ACCUSED}{\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489\charrsid8879854 \par \par Before: The Honourable Mr. Justice E. S Lugayizi \par }{\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li24\ri8\sb9\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin8\lin24\itap0\pararsid8879854 {\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489\charrsid8879854 REVISIONAL ORDER}{\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489
\par }{\b\fs21\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854\charrsid8879854 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li24\ri8\sb9\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin8\lin24\itap0 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 This is a revisional order. Its background is as follows: On 2}{ \f1\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 nd}{\f1\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 January 2006 the President of Uganda visited Kabale District on a campaign tour and held a rally at Nakayiba Printers. At that point in time, one Tubemanzi Deus (hereinafter to be referred to as "}{ \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 the accused}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 ") was part of the crowd at the said rally. He took a photograph of the President. The authorities, present, immediately arrested him and handed him to the Police for action. Two days later, the Police took him to a Magist rate's court in Kabale and charged him with the offence of being idle and disorderl}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870 y }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854 contrary to section 167(}{ \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 d) of the Penal
Code Act (Cap.120). The particulars of}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854 }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 the said charge read as follows: \par }\pard \s15\ql \li643\ri872\sb220\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin872\lin643\itap0\pararsid8879854 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 "Tubemanzi Deus on the 02}{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 nd}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 January 2006 at Nakayiba Printers in the Kabale District publicly conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace when he photographed the President without permission}{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854\charrsid8879854 .\'94}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 }{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri872\sb220\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin872\lin0\itap0\pararsid8879854 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854 In response to the above charges the accused had this to say: \par }\pard \s15\ql \fi720\li0\ri872\sb220\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin872\lin0\itap0\pararsid8879854 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854
\'93}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854\charrsid8879854 It is true}{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854 \'94.}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854\charrsid8879854 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri997\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin997\lin0\itap0\pararsid11010489 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid11010489\charrsid8879854 \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 In turn, the learned trial Magistrate (Ms. Irene Akankwasa) recorded a plea of guilty for the accused in respect of the charge. The prosecutor, then, narrated the facts of the case in roughly the same way this Court has recounted them above. The accused reacted to those facts as follows: }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867 \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854 \par }\pard \s15\ql \fi720\li0\ri997\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin997\lin0\itap0\pararsid8879854 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854 \'93}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854\charrsid8879854 Facts are correct}{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854 \'94. \par \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri997\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin997\lin0\itap0\pararsid8879854 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854
A}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 ccordingly, the learned trial Magistrate convicted the accused on his own plea of guilty in respect of the above charge and sentenced him to a term of one month's imprisonment. Subsequ ently, one of the newspapers reported the proceedings of the above case. As a result, this Honourable Court called for the lower court's record to ascertain what transpired. After reading the lower court's record Court referred the ma}{ \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8879854 tter to the Directorate of Publ}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 ic Prosecutions for an opinion on the propriety of the conviction and sentence. In his letter dated 28} {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 th}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 September 2006, Mr. Wamimbi Jude who signed on behalf}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9138749 }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 of}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9138749 }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 the Director of Public Prosecutions had this to say:
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li705\ri36\sb205\sl-259\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin36\lin705\itap0 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid9138749 "Reference is made to your letter dated}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9138749 31}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid9138749\charrsid9138749 st}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9138749 May 2006 requiring our opinion on the priority of the conviction and sentence in the above case.}{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\charscalex85\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid9138749 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li677\ri0\sb230\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin677\itap0 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid9138749 We have carefully read through the record of proceedings in the lower court dated 4}{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid9138749 th}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid9138749 January 2006 and observed th at the facts read to the accused before conviction did not disclose the offence of being idle and disorderly contrary to section 167(d) of the Penal Code Act. In our opinion, photographing the President without his consent is not a conduct/action likely t o cause the breach of peace within the meaning of section 167(d) of the Penal Code Act. \par }\pard \s15\qj
\li677\ri23\sb787\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin23\lin677\itap0 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid9138749 It is therefore our considered opinion that the learned trial Magistrate erred when she convicted the accused under section 167(d) of the Penal Code Act Cap. 120." \par }\pard \s15\ql \li19\ri41\sb235\sl-259\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin41\lin19\itap0 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 For the sake of clarity, Court will, below, reproduce the provisions of section 167(d) of the Penal Code Act (Cap. 120). Those provisions read as follows: }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li720\ri41\sb235\sl-259\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin41\lin720\itap0\pararsid9138749 {\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9138749\charrsid9138749 \'93167. Idle and disorderly persons. \par Any person who- \par (a) \'85. \par (b) \'85. \par (c) \'85. \par }{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid9138749 (d) }{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9138749\charrsid9138749 Publicly}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid9138749 conducts himself or herself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace; \par }{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9138749\charrsid9138749
(e)}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9138749 .}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9138749\charrsid9138749 \'85 \par (f) \'85. \par (g) \'85 \par }{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid9138749 shall be deemed an idle and disorderly person, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for three months or to a fine not exceeding three thousand shilli ngs or to both such fine and imprisonment ... " \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri41\sb235\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin41\lin0\itap0\pararsid9138749 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 Although}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid93608 the provisions of section 167(d}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 ) of the Penal Code Act (Cap. 120) show that a person commits the offence of being idle and disorderly when he or she }{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid9138749 "publicly conducts himself or herself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace",}{\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 }{ \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 it is important to analyse the key words or phrases in that law in order to understand their full meaning and import. \par }\pard \s15\qj
\li18\ri0\sb225\sl-259\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin18\itap0 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 The first word in p}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid93608 aragraph (d) of the above law (i}{ \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870 .}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 e. the word }{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid93608 "publicly"}{ \i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 ) }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 is not difficult to understand. It is an adverb that has its roots in the noun }{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid93608 "public"}{\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 ; }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 and it connotes the idea of }{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid93608 "doing or omitting to do something openly or before a gathering of persons or in}{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid93608\charrsid93608 }{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid93608 full view of such persons".}{\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854
Ho wever, the difficulty comes with the remainder of paragraph (d) of the above law, particularly the phrase }{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid93608 "breach of the peace".}{ \i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 For example, what ordinarily constitutes a breach of the peace? \par }\pard \s15\ql \li33\ri0\sb230\sl-264\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin33\itap0 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 According to }{\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid93608 Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus at page 133}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 the phrase }{\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid93608 "breach of the peace"}{ \i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 means, }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867 \par }\pard \s15\ql \fi687\li33\ri0\sb230\sl-264\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin33\itap0\pararsid93608 {\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid93608\charrsid93608 \'93\'85. Causing an unnecessary disturbance of the peace\'94.}{ \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid93608 \par }\pard \s15\ql
\li33\ri0\sb230\sl-264\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin33\itap0\pararsid93608 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 In Britain certain offences against public order are referred to as offences relating to } {\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 "Breach of the Peace". }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 BYRNE'S LAW DICTIONARY at page 134 describes such offences as follows: \par }\pard \s15\ql \li729\ri945\sb278\sl-259\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin945\lin729\itap0 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid10705867 "Breaches of the peace are offences against public order. They are commonly divided into actual, constructive and apprehended. \par }\pard \s15\ql \li710\ri565\sb230\sl-259\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin565\lin710\itap0 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid10705867 Actual breaches of the peace include riotous and unlawful assemblies, riots, affray, forcible entry and detainer, etc. \par }\pard \s15\ql \fi62\li594\ri479\sb230\sl-259\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin479\lin594\itap0 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid10705867 Constructive breaches ... include ... sending challenges and provoking to fight, going armed in public without lawful occasion, in such manner as to alarm the public,
etc. \par }\pard \s15\ql \li474\ri498\sb235\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin498\lin474\itap0 {\b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid10705867 An apprehended breach of the peace is where one man threatens another with bodily injury ... or where a man goes about with unusual weapons or attendance, to the terror of the people ... " \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri9\sb220\sl-259\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin9\lin0\itap0 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 From the foregoing, Court could safely say that in law the phrase }{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid10705867 "breach of the peace" }{\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid10705867 means the following: }{ \b\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid10705867 Causing an unnecessary disturbance of the peace by engaging in a riotous and unlawful assembly or a riot or affray or instilling fear or terror by sending challenges or provoking others to a fight or going about a rmed in public with unusual weapons or attendance without lawful excuse etc,.}{\i\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li18\ri9\sb230\sl-259\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin9\lin18\itap0 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 Be that as it may, the crucial
question to answer now is this: Do the facts that were narrated and put to the accused (to admit or deny) just before he was convicted reveal that the accused was engaged in any of the acts described in the above definition? Certainly, not! Therefore in full agreement with the Director of Public Prosecutions, Court is of the opinion that the learned trial Magistrate erred in law in convicting the a ccused of the offence of being idle and diso}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870 rderly contrary to section l67 (}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 d) of the Penal Code Act (Cap. 120). In short, the conviction of the accused was bad in law. Merely taking a photograph of the President without permission does not constitute an offence under section 167( }{ \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870 d}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 ) of the Penal Code Act (Cap. 120). \par {\listtext\tab}}\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\sl-1\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\ls2\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li5\ri0\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin5\itap0 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870 \par }{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 For the above reasons Court has no choice, but to quash the
conviction and to set aside the one month's prison sentence that the learned trial Magistrate imposed upon the accused. It is so ordered. \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\sb283\sl-254\slmult0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 Lastly, it is unfortunate that by now the accused must have already served the unlawful sentence. All the same, the Deputy Registrar (Crime) is hereby instructed to send a copy of this order to the accused through the lower court that handled the c ase in January 2006. At least,}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867 this will}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid8879854 help the accused to know that he has no record of a previous conviction now. }{ \cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867 \par \par E. S Lugayizi}{\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870 (}{\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870\charrsid4665870 J}{\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid10705867 UDGE)}{ \b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4665870 , }{\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867 2/11/2006}{\b\cf1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid10705867 \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\b\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid10705867\charrsid10705867 \par }}
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