Uganda v Adome (Criminal Session Case No. 118 of 1994) [1994] UGHCCRD 22 (11 November 1994)

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Criminal law|Evidence Law

Case summary

The burden was placed on prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that: The deceased was murdered. Court held that death was confirmed by a medical report of a doctor who carried out the post-mortem and the police investigating officer who visited the murder scene. Death caused with malice aforethought. Held that the wounds described by the doctor were caused by use of a sharp object on the vulnerable parts of the body namely; chest and abdomen which showed an intention of causing death or grievous harm to the deceased. The accused actually murdered the deceased. This was imputed on his confession statement which so detailed narrated the events as they took place, which events were only known by the accused himself. Court on the issue of confession held that prosecution evidence is ample corroboration of the confession statement as the accused, in his confession statement thoroughly and correctly related what happened. The statement establishes his guilt with that degree of certainty required in a criminal case. The confession was the kind that can be relied upon without corroboration.

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