A CRITIQUE OF THE INDEPEDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY IN LIGHT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA, 1995

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i

APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................... ii

DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................. iv

LIST OF LEGISLATION ............................................................................................................... v

LIST OF CASES ............................................................................................................................ vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................. vii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................ ix

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... X

CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ................................................................................. 1

1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... I

1.1 Background of the study ........................................................................................................... 2

1.2 Statement of problem ................................................................................................................ 4

1.3 Purpose of the study .................................................................................................................. 5

1.4 Research objectives ................................................................................................................... 5

1.5 Scope of the study ..................................................................................................................... 6

1.5 .I Geographical scope ................................................................................................................ 6

1.5.2 Content scope ......................................................................................................................... 6

1.6 The Significance of the Study ................................................................................................... 6

1.7 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 7

CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 10

LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................................... 10

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. I 0

2.1 Related Literature .................................................................................................................... I 0

CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 14

LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON INDEPEDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY IN LIGHT OF THE

CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA, 1995 ............................................... 14

3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 14

3 .I International instruments ........................................................................................................ 14

3.1.1 The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, 1998 ................................................ 14

3.1.2 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 .............................................................. 14

3.1.3 United Nations Human Rights, 1985 ................................................................................... 15

3.1.4 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1976 ............................................... 15

3.1.5 The Treaty Establishing the East African Community, 1999 .............................................. 16

3.2 Domestic Laws ........................................................................................................................ 17

3.2.1 The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda ....................................................................... 17

3.2.2 The Judicature (Amendment) Act, 2011 .............................................................................. 18

3.2.3 The Judicial Service Act Cap 14 .......................................................................................... 19

3.2.4 The judicial service commission .......................................................................................... 20

3.2.5 The role of the judicial service commission in upholding the independence of the judiciary······················································ 20

CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................................................................................... 24

GENERAL FINDINGS ON THE INDEPENDENT OF THE JUDICIARY IN UGANDA. 24

4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 24

4.1 The role of the Government and other non-government organizations in judicial process .... 25

4.1.1 Appointment of Judicial officers ......................................................................................... 25

4.1.2 Corruption ............................................................................................................................ 26

4.1.3 Remuneration and Welfare of Judicial officers ................................................................... 27

4.1.4 Political Influence ................................................................................................................ 28

4.1.5 Discipline of the judicial officers ......................................................................................... 28

4.1.6 Delay in deciding cases ........................................................................................................ 29

4.1.7 Economic influence ............................................................................................................. 29

4.1.8 Physical insecurity of judicial officers ................................................................................. 29

4.1.9 The role of court bailiffs, court clerks, and other officers of court ...................................... 30

4.1.10 The Uganda police ............................................................................................................. 30

4.2 Instances where the Executive arm of Government has interfered with the Judiciary ........... 31

4.3 The attitude of the people towards the Judiciary .................................................................... 33

CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................................................ 35

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ........................................................................ 35

5.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3 5

5.1 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 35

5.2 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 36

BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................................... 38 

ABSTRACT 

The study examined a critique of the independence of the Judiciary in light of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995. Uganda is a democratic state found in East Africa. The Executive arm of government is on the spot as the major inhibitor in the administration of justice and it ranks number one as the abuser of constitutionalism as compared to other organs. The study was guided by the following objectives;- to examine the independence of the court systems in Uganda, to establish whether the Courts in Uganda today are indeed Independent, to establish the causes of the lack of independence of the judiciary and the impact of the appointment of judicial officers by the president on the independence of the judiciary, to draw the necessary conclusions and possible solutions to address the issues involving judicial independence in Uganda and to explore the conclusion based on the entire discussion.