AN APPRAISAL OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE UGANDA POLICE FORCE IN THE OBSERVATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN UGANDA CASE STUDY OF KAMPALA

ABSTRACT 

This study "An Appraisal of the Contribution of the Police Force in the Observation of Human Rights in Uganda' was specifically carried to; ascertain the legal framework for Human Rights observation in general and in pa1iicnlar the right to fi•eedom of speech and expression by the Uganda Police Force; assess the effectiveness of the policies goveming the UPF institution in observing Human rights; establish the major factors obstructing the UPF from effectively promoting the freedom of speech and expression in the presence of supp011ive laws; to examine the impact of violating freedom of speech and expression in Uganda and to suggest possible assumptions that can be adopted to address the existing gaps. To comprehend this, literature review of the specific variables was carried out and the study was mainly centered on book and doc,.mentary evidences as well as primary data sources thus was qualitatively driven.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Declaration ...................................................................................................................................... i

Approval ........................................................................................................................................ ii

Dedication ..................................................................................................................................... iii

Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................................ iv

List of Cases ................................................................................................................................. ix

List of Statutes ............................................................................................................................... x

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ............................................................................................ xi

Abstract ........................................................................................................................................ xii

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

GENERAL OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 1

1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Background of the Study ......................................................................................................... 2

1.1.2 Dwing the Pre-Colonial Era ................................................................................................. 4

1.1.3 During Colonial Era .............................................................................................................. 4

1.1.4 During Post Colonial Era ...................................................................................................... 6

1.2 Statement of the Problem ......................................................................................................... 9

1.3 Purpose of the Study .............................................................................................................. 10

1.4 Objectives of the study .......................................................................................................... 10

1.4.1 General Objective ......................... : ..................................................................................... 10

1.4.2 Specific Objectives .......................................................................................................... ,.·. 10

1.5 Research Questions ................................................................................................................ 11

1.6 Scope of the Study ................................................................................................................. II

1.6.1 Time Scope ......................................................................................................................... II

1.6.2 Content Scope ..................................................................................................................... II

1.6.3 Geographical Scope ............................................................................................................ 12

1.7 Significance of the Study ....................................................................................................... l2

1.8 Chapterization ........................................................................................................................ 13

1.9 The Conceptual Framework .................................................................................................. 14

CHAPTER TWO ................................. : ..................................................................................... 15

LITERATURE REVIEW ................... : ..................................................................................... 15

THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE OBSERVATION OF FREEDOM OF

SPEECH AND EXPRESSION IN UGANDA .................................................................... .'::.15

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 15

2.1 Laws Goveming Police in Regulating Freedom of Speech and Expression ......................... 16

2.1.1 Intemational and Regional Legislation ............................................................................... 16

2.1.2 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948) ........................................... 16

2.1.3 The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966 .......................... 17

2.1.4 The African Chmter on Human and Peoples' Rights (1981) ............................................. 19

2.1.5 The Dakar UNESCO Declaration 2005 .............................................................................. 19

2.1.6 The Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press .. 20

2.1. 7 Domestic Legislation ....................................................................................................... ; .. 21

2.1.7.1 The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995 .......................................................... 21

2.1.7.2 The Police Act (Cap 303) ................................................................................................ 24

2.1.7.3 The Penal Code Act 2000 Cap 120 .................................................................................. 25

2.1.7 .4 The Political Pmty Organization Act (2005) ................................. :: .. : ............................. 28

2.1.7.5 The Public Order Management Act 2013 ........................................................................ 28

2.1.7.6 The Press and Journalist Act 1995 ................................................................................... 29

2.2 The Freedom of Speech and Expression: Human Rights Activists ....................................... 3 0

2.3 Police Pe1fonnance and Challenges in Observing Freedom of Speech a11d Expression ....... 38

2.4 Impact of Freedom of Speech a11d Expression on the Perfonnance of Institutions ............... 41

2.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 45

CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................... 46

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................. 46

3.0 Overview ................................................................................................................................ 46

3.1 Design .................................................................................................................................... 46

3.3 Study Population .................................................................................................................... 46

3.4 Sampling Methods and Sample frame ................................................................................... 46

3.5 Research Instruments ............................................................................................................. 4 7

3.5.1 In-depth Interview guides ................................................................................................... 47

3.5.2 Document analysis .............................................................................................................. 47

3.6 Research Procedure ............................................................................................................... 47

3.7 Data Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 48

3.7.1 Coding ........................................... : ..................................................................................... 48

3.7.2 Editing ................................................................................................................................. 48

3.8 Limitation of the Study .................... : ..................................................................................... 48

3.9 Ethical Considerations ........................................................................................................... 48

CHAPTER FOUR: .................................................................................................................... 50

PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE RESEARCH FINDINGS ....................... 50

4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 50

4.2 The Legal Obligation in Observation of the right to freedom of Speech and expression ..... 50

4.3 UPF in Regulating the Abuse of Freedom of Speech and Expression in Uganda ................. 57

4.4 Challenges Faced by UPF in the Observation of the Freedom of Speech and Expression ... 59

4.5 Impact of Violating Freedom of Speech and Expression in Uganda on Other Rights .......... 67

4.6 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 75

CHAPTER FIVE ....................................................................................................................... 76

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................... 76

5.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... '::. 76

5.2 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 7 6

5.3 Recommendations .................................................................................................................. 77

5.3.1 Recognition of the Rule of Law and Respecting Institutional Policy ................................. 77

5.3.2 Independence of the UHRC and Media and Broadcasting Councils .................................. 78

5.3.3 Limitations should Serve a Legitimate Interest .................................................................. 79

5.3.4 Right Defenders Should be Made Free of Political Control at an Institutional Level... ..... 79

5.3.5 Eliminate Substantive Restrictions on Registration Systems for HR Defenders ............... 79

5.3.6 Access of Information Needs to be Held by Public Authorities ......................................... 80

5.3.7 Genuine Patriotism is Needed with Sensitization Campaigns Effected .......................... ; .. 80

5.3.8 Government should Facilitate Enjoyment of Rights ........................................................... 80

5.3.9 Amendment of the Laws .............. ; ..................................................................................... 81

INTERVIEW GUIDE ............................................................................................................... 87 ,. 

Section A: ······················································································································· 82

Section B: ..................................................................................................................................... 83

Section C: ························································································································ 84

Section D: .................................................................................................................................... 85

Section E: ......................................................................................................................... 85