Maisha v Madraa
Maisha v Madraa (Civil Appeal No. 0031 of 2012) [2016] UGHCCD 66 (13 October 2016)
The High Court found that the trial magistrate correctly evaluated the evidence and applied the law on defamation. The words uttered by the appellant directly referred to the respondent and imputed the criminal offence of witchcraft, which is actionable per se under Ugandan law. The evidence established that the defamatory statements were published to third parties, as several neighbours heard the utterances. The appellant failed to rebut the presumption of publication and malice. In cases of slander imputing criminal conduct, damages are presumed and need not be specifically proved. The tria…
Source excerpt
- Defamation
- Slander
- General Damages
- Publication Requirement
- Actionable Per Se
- Reputation