“1.
That the learned trial judge erred in law and in fact when he failed to properly evaluate the evidence on record as a whole.
2.
That the learned trial judge erred in law and in fact on
relying on the confession statement allegedly made by the
appellant without establishing whether it was voluntarily
made.
3.
That the learned trial judge erred in law and in fact in
relying on the evidence of PW3 without sufficient
corroboration.
4.
That the sentence of 5
years imprisonment was
harsh and excessive in the circumstances.”
Ms Annet Karungi Mutabingwa, learned counsel for the appellant, argued ground 2 separately grounds 1 and 3 together and ground 4 separately
in that order. We shall also consider them similarly.
The thrust of counsel’s argument on ground 2 was that the learned trial judge was wrong to admit in evidence the confession
statement, exhibit P3, without holding a trial within a trial to determine whether it was made voluntarily or not. She submitted
that when a confession is retracted by its maker the law requires that a trial within a trial is held to determine its admissibility.
Counsel argued that PW2 admitted in cross-examination that he had not recorded the statement in the correct way. She argued that
the appellant was challenging the accuracy of the confession statement and the judge erred when he relied on it to convict him.
In reply, Ms Fatuma Sendagire, learned State Attorney for the respondent, supported the learned trial judge’s judgement. She argued that what was in issue was not the voluntaries of the confession but its accuracy. The appellant’s complaint was that
he was made to sign an English statement whereas he made his statement in Luganda. In her view that is not covered by section 24
of The Evidence Act (Cap 6).
The law is now well settled that when the accused during the trial objects to the admissibility of a confession statement he/she
made to the police during the investigations, the court must hold a trial within a trial. This was stated by the Supreme Court in
Amos Biruge and Others v Uganda Criminal Appeal No. 23 of 1989 as follows:
“It is trite law that when the admissibility of an extra judicial statement is challenged then the objecting accused must be given a chance to establish, by evidence, his grounds of objection. This
is done through a trial within a trial…The purpose of a trial within a trial, is to decide, upon the evidence of both sides whether the confession should be admitted.”
In the appeal before us, the appellant’s case at the trial was that he did not know the contents of the statement because it
was written in English. He was in fact repudiating the confession that he did not actually state all or some of what was contained
therein. It is a cardinal principle of our law that where an accused person denies the charges he is entitled to a full trial of
all facts in issue. See Kawoya Joseph vs. Uganda Supreme Court Criminal Appeal No. 50 of 1999. The statement in issue was recorded in contravention of paragraph 9 of the Chief Justice’s circular of 2nd March 1973 entitled Recording of the Extra Judicial Statements .which provides that the confession must be recorded in a language spoken by the accused and then translated into English. We are mindful of the law that failure to follow the rules does not automatically result into the
rejection of the confession. The discretion is with the trial judge to allow a confession recorded not in strict compliance of the
rules.
Further section 24 of the Evidence Act provides:
“A confession made by an accused person is irrelevant if the making of the confession appears to the court, having regard the
state of mind of the accused person and to all the circumstances, to have been caused by any violence, force, threat, inducement
or promise calculated in the opinion of the court to cause an untrue confession to be made.”
We do not agree that this section should be given a narrow interpretation as held by the judge and supported by the state attorney.
Indeed, the section refers to all circumstances. It is impossible for a judge to determine the circumstances under which a confession
was made without holding a trial within a trial. We are of the considered view that where the confession is recorded in contravention
of the rules of procedure of recording confession the trial judge should even be more alert and determine on evidence whether the
departure from the rules is excusable. In this appeal, with due respect, the learned trial judge deprived himself of the opportunity
to decide on evidence whether the confession statement was admissible or not. We are of the view that exhibit P3 should not have
been relied upon to convict the appellant.
Ground 2, therefore, succeeds.
We now turn to grounds 1 and 3. The appellant’s learned counsel’s complaint on these grounds was that the learned trial
judge was wrong to rely on the evidence of the victim which was not sufficiently corroborated. Counsel argued that PW3 was an untruthful
witness who made two contradictory statements to the police. One of these statements was implicating the appellant and the second
one was exonerating him. She submitted that PW4’s could not corroborate the evidence of PW3 because it was hearsay.
The learned state attorney did not agree. She submitted that PW3 was a truthful witness. She argued that the learned trial judge
considered the two statements PW3 made to the police. The judge rightly held that the witness was truthful and that she was only intimidated by some people who caused her to make the second statement to the police, exonerating the appellant. Regarding PW4’s evidence, counsel submitted that it was not hearsay. When PW4 arrested the appellant he accepted responsibility.
We have considered the evidence on record. PW3 in cross-examination stated “I made 2 different statements saying 2 different things because my mother was not aware. They picked me from home without her. I was intimidated about what to say.” ‘ In re-examination she states:
The statement of 29th contradicts by 1st statement. I was forced to make the 2nd statement.’
The learned judge found that the explanation given by PW3 why she made different statements was plausible. With the greatest respect to the learned trial judge we
disagree. It appears to us that the witness made the statement exonerating the appellant because her mother was not present. In her
own words she said “I made 2 different statements saying different things because my mother was not aware.”
PW3 does not mention the names or the identities of the people who took her to the police and intimidated her to make a second statement.
We find it difficult to believe her. We have also had a close look at the evidence of PW4. It appears to us that PW3 was forced by
her mother to say that she had sexual intercourse with the appellant. PW4 threatened to take PW3 to the police if she did not tell
her where she had been. PW4 stated in cross-examination “My daughter respects me. I do not know whether she would care to annoy me.”
It is our considered view that PW3 was an untruthful witness who was all out to make statements to please her mother (PW4).We appreciate
the submissions by appellant’s counsel that PW4’s evidence is hearsay. According to the evidence on record PW4 never
saw the appellant with PW3. She depended on spies whom she instructed to follow the appellant and PW3.
The learned state attorney has urged this Court to believe the evidence of PW4 because the appellant confessed to her that she had sex with PW3. The evidence of PW4 on the matter is that when the appellant was arrested he accepted responsibility. The agreement was made before the LCs imposing a fine on him. He failed
to pay the fine and the affair continued between him and PW3. That is the reason why he was re-arrested. On the other hand PW3 testified
that the LCs made an agreement warning the accused not to continue with the relationship. It appears these two witnesses identified
the agreement at the trial.
However, this agreement was not tendered in court as exhibit. We do not know the exact contents of that agreement. It is not clear
to us whether the appellant admitted the offence. PW4 testified that the appellant accepted responsibility whereas PW3 said the LCs
simply warned the appellant to stop the relationship. We do not even know which relationship it was. It could have been some other
relationship since the appellant and PW3 were members of the same drama group. It is our considered opinion that if the learned trial
judge had properly evaluated the evidence he would have given the benefit of doubt to the appellant and acquitted him.
Grounds 1 and 3 also succeeds.
As grounds 1, 2 and three against conviction succeed this disposes of the whole appeal. In the result this appeal is allowed. The
conviction is quashed and the sentence is set aside. The appellant is to be set free forthwith unless he is otherwise lawful held.
Dated at Kampala this 9th day of May 2006.
L.E.M.. Mukasa-Kikonyogo
DEPUTY CHIEF JUSTICE
C.N.B. Kitumba
JUSTICE OF APPEAL
C.K. Byamugisha
JUSTICE OF APPEAL