CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN UGANDA A CASE STUDY OF THE UGANDA PARLIAMENT

TABLE OF CONTENT

Declaration ...................................................................................................................................... ii

Approval ........................................................................................................................................ iii

Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... .iv

Acknowledgment ............................................................................................................................. v

Table of Content ............................................................................................................................. vi

List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................... .ix

Abstract.. ......................................................................................................................................... xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background to the study ............................................................................................................ I

1.2 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................... 2

1.3 Purpose of the study ................................................................................................................. .4

1.4 Objectives of the study ............................................................................................................. .4

1.4.1 General objective .................................................................................................................... 4

1.4.2 Specific objectives ................................................................................................................. .4

1.5 Research Questions .................................................................................................................... 4

1.6 Scope of the Study ..................................................................................................................... 5

1.6.1 Content scope ....................................................................................................................... 5

1.6.2 Geographical scope ................................................................................................................. 5

1.6.3 Time scope .............................................................................................................................. 5

1.7 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................................... 5

1.8 Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 6

1.9 Literature Review ...................................................................................................................... 7

1.9.1 The History ofConstitutionalism in Uganda .......................................................................... 8

1.9 .2 Uganda's Constitution and good governance ....................................................................... 11

CHAPTER TWO: UGANDA'S CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY ........................................ 17

2.1 Independence Constitution of 1962 ......................................................................................... 17

2.2 The 'Pigeon-hole' Constitution of 1966 ·············································································-'···· 17

2.3 The 1967 Constitution ............................................................................................................. 18

2.4 The National Resistance Movement :,nd the making of the 1995 Constitution ...................... 20

2.4.1 The making of the 1995 Constitution ................................................................................... 21

2.4.2 The Constitutional C01mnission ........................................................................................... 22

2.4.3 The Constituent Assembly .................................................................................................... 24

2.5 The 1995 Constitution ............................................................................................................. 25

2.6 The Constitutional Principle of Separation of Power .............................................................. 27

2.6.1 The Executive ....................................................................................................................... 27

2.6.2 The Legislature ..................................................................................................................... 27

2.6.3 The Judiciary ........................................................................................................................ 28

CHAPTER THREE: CONSTITUTIONALISM, CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMA AND

GOVERN ACE IN UGANDA ................................................................................................ : .... 30

3.1 The Constitution and Constitutionalism .................................................................................. 30

3.2 Constitutionalism and Governance .......................................................................................... 32

3.2.1 The Essence of Constitutional Government ......................................................................... 33

3.3 Constitutional refonn processes in Uganda ............................................................................. 34

3.4 Challenges faced by Uganda's Parliament in the Constitutional reform processes in relation to the promotion of good governance ..................... .40

CHAPTER FOUR: CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS AND GOOD GOVERNANCE ....... 46

4.1 The provisions of Uganda's constitution in line with the principles of good governance in Uganda .................................................. 46

4.2 The steps undertaken in the constitutional refonn process by the Parliament of Uganda ....... 59

4.3 The challenges faced by Uganda's Parliament in the constitutional reform processes in relation to the promotion of good governance in Uganda ............ 65

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMRY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................................ 69

5.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 69

5.1 Summary of findings ............................................................................................................... 69

5.2 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................. 71

5.3 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 72

5.4 Areas for further research ........................................................................................................ 73

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 7 4

APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................. 80

Appendix I: Questionnaires for selected respondents ................................................................... 80

Appendix II: Interview Guide ........................................................................................................ 83 

ABSTRACT 

This dissertation titled "Constitutional reforms and good governance in Uganda" is presented as a result of a study that was carried out at the Parliament of Uganda. The study was based on three specific objectives, i.e.: to examine the provisions of Uganda's constitution in line with the principles of good governance in Uganda; to examine the steps undertaken in the constitutional reform process by the Parliament of Uganda; and to investigate the challenges faced by Uganda's Parliament in the constitutional refonn processes in relation to the promotion of good governance in Uganda. The research was in form or a descriptive survey design, and used a sample of 140 respondents selected from among the Members of Uganda's 10111 Parliament as well as members of the civil society in Uganda. The study used questionnaires and interviews as the main tools of data collection, and the data was analyzed using constant comparison technique. The study found out that the 1995 Constitution has various provisions which stipulate how and when it should be refonned, that there are various mandated steps that have to be undertaken in the process of constitutional reforms, and that Uganda's Parliament faces vmious challenges in the constitutional refonn processes in relation to the promotion of good governance in Uganda. The study concluded that there have been positive steps in the right direction with regards to promoting constitutionalism and good governm1ce though there are still some challenges. The study reco1runended that government should ensure that there is access to infonnation and adequate civil education of its citizens about their rights, that Parliament should be adequately supported by strong oversight State institutions and staff to enable them to perf01m their functions efficient and effectively, that government should ensure that its institutions are more open and easily accessible to the public, that government and parliament should adopt appropriate laws, policies and mechanisms towards improving citizens' participation in economic, social and political decision-making processes that affect their lives, that government should prepare clear job description and assignment of duties and obligations for MPs, including after service obligations m1d responsibilities, which should be made available to the public.