The Legal Framework Regulating The Ownership And Control Of Firearms In Uganda

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................. v

LIST OF STATUTES·················································································'······················ vii

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

1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... I

I .2 Background of the study .................................................................................................. I

1.3 A Brief look at the Constitutional History and Human Rights in Uganda and other East

African Countries .................................................................................................................. 3

1.4 Statement of the prob I em ................................................................................................ 4

1.5 Objective of the study ..................................................................................................... 5

I . 6 Purpose of the study ........................................................................................................ 5

I . 7 Literature review ............................................................................................................ 6

I .8 Research questions .......................................................................................................... 9

I. 9 Methodology ................................................................................................................... 9

2.0 Chapter Outline ............................................................................................................... 9

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

DEFINITION OF FIREARMS ........................................................................................ 10

2. I Factors for circulation of illegal firearms in Uganda ...................................................... I 0

2.2 Political factors which lead to refuges ........................................................................... 14

viii

2.3 The Domestic Impact .................................................................................................... 16

2.4 Insecurity in the country ................................................................................................ 16

2.5 Smuggling of weapons from neighbouring states ........................................................... 19

2.6 The Militarization of Society ......................................................................................... 19

2.7 State response to combat illegal firearms ....................................................................... 22

CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 26

THE UGANDA NATIONAL ACTION PLAN F"OR ARMS MANAGEMENT (NAP). 26

3.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 26

3 .2. Small Anns mapping exercise ...................................................................................... 28

3.2.1 Policy on Small Arms and Light Weapons ................................................................. 29

3.2.2 Firearms Act .............................................................................................................. 29

3.2.3 Central Firearms Database .......................................................................................... 29

3.2.4 Stockpile Management: .............................................................................................. 29

3.2.5 Capacity Building and Training .................................................................................. 30

3 .2.6 National Co-ordination Mechanisms .......................................................................... 30

3.2.7lnvolvement of Civil Society ...................................................................................... 30

3.2.8 Development and alternatives to Firearms ................................ : ................................. 30

3.2.9 Public Awareness and Education ............................................ : ................................... 31

3.3 Uganda National Action Plan 2004-2009 ...................................................................... 31

3.4 Achievements ofNFP and NAP: ................................................................................... 32

3.5 Challenges: ................................................................................................................... 33

3.6 The Uganda National Action Plan 2011-2015 ............................................................... 34

3.6.1 Background ................................................................................................................ 34