Uganda Christian University School of Law Constitutional History Course

Contents hide

1 Uganda Christian University School of Law Constitutional History Course

1.1 Uganda Christian University Bachelor of Laws Courses For Year 1

1.2 Uganda Christian University Bachelor of Laws Courses For Year 2

1.3 Uganda Christian University Bachelor of Laws Courses For Year 3

1.4 Uganda Christian University Bachelor of Laws Courses For Year 4

1.5 [button link=”https://ugfacts.net/list-law-schools-uganda/” bg_color=”red”]List of Law Schools in Uganda[/button]

Uganda Christian University School of Law Constitutional History Course

UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF LAW

BACHELOR OF LAWS DEGREE YEAR ONE

COURSE NAME: Constitutional History and Politics of East Africa

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The contemporary constitutional order did not develop in a vacuum. It is largely a product of the socio-economic as well as political dynamics and configurations that have shaped Uganda over the years from its establishment as a modern state. These developments are largely reflected in the present day constitutional questions and constitutionalism that continues to elude political developments in the region.

In this regard, the course will cover the following main topics:-

Introduction: Origins of Constitutional Law,
Colonial rule and birth of the colonial State in Uganda,
Independent Uganda (1962-1965),
The 1966-1971 period,
Militant Politics in 1971-1985,
NRM period, up to 1995.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is a foundation course for Constitutional Law that will be offered in the second semester. As such, the student is expected to grasp in fair detail the underlying factors in the development of the modern constitutional state in Uganda. This, it is expected shall be achieved through interrogation of the different political epochs of modern Uganda and how these have shaped the constitutional destiny of Uganda.

COURSE CONTENT.

MODULE I : Origins of the ideas of a Constitution

Greek Political Thought: Plato and his Predecessors
Magna Carta 1215 (UK)

Petition of Rights 1628 (UK)

Locke: Two Treaties of Government
Montesque: Spirit of the Laws
Rousseau, J-J; The social contract, 1762 (Translated by H.J Tozer)London,1924.

American Declaration of Independence, 1776.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and citizen1791 and1793 (France).

Constitution of the United States of America.1787.

MODULE II : Colonial rule and the birth of the constitutional state in East Africa/Uganda. (1894-1962)

Colonial experience in Kenya and Tanganyika
(B)uganda Agreement of 1900 and significance in constitutional history;
Uganda Orders-in-Council of 1902 and 1920
Colonial Administration between 1902 and 1920-native authority, repugnancy clauses, e.t.c.
Uganda Protectorate in the 1920s and 1930s – bataka and peasantry grievances (busulu-envujjo); O-I-C vis-à-vis kingdom agreements
“Human Face” period of Colonial Rule (1940s onwards)-Overview
Constitutional reforms and the Kabaka Crisis (1953-5)
Sir Andrew Cohen as reformist Governor of Uganda (1952-57)
Birth of Political Parties – UNC, DP, UPU, PP, UPC, KY
Preparations for independence- Wild/Munster Reports, Buganda’s intransigence, Lancaster/Marlborough conferences.

References

Buganda Agreement 1900and 1955:
Toro agreement 1901;
Ankole agreement, 1901 and 1941;
Uganda (payment to chiefs) agreement, 1908;
Deportation ordinance, 1908 and 1956;
Buganda (native laws) agreement, 1910;
Native authority ordinance, 1920;
Uganda poll tax) agreement, 1920;
Proclamation (under article 6) Uganda-in-council), 1926;
Busullu-Envujjo law, 1928;
Trading ordinance, 1938and1950;
African local government ordinance, 1949 and1955;
Order in local council, 1955 (legal notice no.140 of1955);
Uganda independence order-in-council, 1962.

Cases

Katozi v. Kanizi (1907) Uganda Protectorate Law Reports, vol.1, 24.
Nasaaniiri Kibuuka v A.E. Bertie Mith (1908) Uganda Protectorate Law Reports, vol 1,34
v Amkeyo(1917) KRL14
Rex v. Kowasi K. Pailo7 2 Ors, Crim.Rev. No.43 of 1992 (1920) ULR 98.
Mwenge v Migadde (1932-5) ULR 97.
v. Besweri Kiwanuka H C Crim. App. No.38 of 1937.
Gwao Bin Kilimo v Kisunda bin Ifuti (1938) 1 TLR 405.
Mukumbwa & Ors v. Mukubira & Ors, civil case no. 50 of 1954(1952) E A 382.
Re G. L. Binaisa (1959)E A 997
Daudi Ndibarema & ors v. the Enganzi of Ankole& ors (1960) EA 47.

Reports

Uganda Protectorate, Memorandum on the Constitutional Development and Representation in Buganda, Government printer, Entebbe, 1959.
Uganda Protectorate, Report of the East African Royal Commission, 1953-1955,comd 9475(1955).
Allen, C.P.S; A report on the direct election to the legislative council in Uganda Protectorate, Government printer, 1959
The Wild committee 1959
Uganda Protectorate Report on the 1961 Direct election to the legislative council, government printer, Entebbe, 1961.
The Uganda protectorate report Report of the Uganda relationship commissions (lord Munster), June 1961.
HMSO Uganda protectorate, Report of the Uganda constitutional conference, 1961, Comd 1523,1961.
The Lancaster Constitutional conference (sept-oct.1961)
The constitutional conference at Marlborough (June 1962)
Hancock I.R.”Patriotism an neo –traditionalism in Buganda: the Kabaka Yeka (the king alone) Movement ,1961-1962 journal of African history, vol.1 no.3,pp.419-34.
Kayunga,S.S Uganda national congress and the struggle for democracy : 1952-1962;centre for basic research working paper no.14
Low,D.A;& PRATT, R.C;Buganda and British overrule : two studies (OUP,1955).
Mulira, j” Nationalism and the communist phobia in colonial Uganda, 1945-1960;Mawazo, vol.5 no.1 (1983).
Muscat R. (ed) history of the democratic party, 1954-1984, FAD, kampala

MODULE III: Independent Uganda (1962-1965): Grappling with the Constitution (1962-65)

West-Minister model of Government vis-à-vis problems of head of state
Unitary-Federal Question: Buganda within Uganda

Question of the “Lost Counties” -1964 referendum and worsening of Mutesa-Obote relations

Overall problems of political governance
Onset of the Kabaka (Uganda) Crisis of 1966. (1963-5)

References

Administration of Justice Act,Cap26 of 1964 Volume of Laws of Uganda
Administration (Western Kingdoms and Busoga) Act, no. 18of 1964.
Busoga Validation Act, No 9 of 1963.
Independence Constitution of 1962
Constitution of Uganda (first amendment) Act, no 36 of 1964.
Constitutional Heads (Elections) Act, no 66 of 1963.
Emergency Powers Act, no.25 of 1963.

Cases

Jowett Lyagoba v. Bakasonga& ors (1963)E A 57.
John Kazaraine v Lukiiko (1963) E A 472.
Kabaka’s Government& Anor v. Attorney general of Uganda& anor Privy Council App. No 56 of 1964.
Attorney General of Uganda v. Kabaka v.Government (1965) E A 393.

MODULE IV: The 1966-1971 period: 1966 Buganda crisis and Obote 1 ‘Emergency’

Events leading to and of the Crisis in 1966
Ibingira cases 1 & 2 and the Judicial Power of Courts

Ex parte Matovu case and the phenomenon of extra-constitutional changes of government in Ugamda

Demise of Judicial Independence in Obote 1 regime (1966-71)

References

Interim Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1966.
Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1967.
Emergency Power Detention Regulations, I. 65 of 1966.
Local Administration (amendment) Act, 1967.
Public Order and Security Act, No.20 of 1967.
Deportation (Validation) Act, No.14 of 1966.

Cases

Ibingira & ors .v AG (1966) E.A 305.
G v. Ibingira & ORS (1996) E.A 445.
In Re Lumu App .No 31-35 of 1966 (HC)
Uganda Commissioner of Prisons ex parte Matovu (1966) E.A 514.
Ondongkara & ors v. Kamada & Ors (1968) E.A I,
Ochieng v. Uganda (1966) E.A I.
Shah v. Uganda (1969) E.A 261.
Opolot v.AG (1969) E.A 631.

MODULE V: Militant Politics in Uganda 1971-1985: Amin Era to Obote II

Legal Notice No. 1/71 and the Constitutionality of the Amin regime
UNLF period and ousting of Yusuf Lule-Lutakome Kayira case (1979)

Obote II regime and the fate of constitutionalism

References

Constitution (modification) Decree, no.5 of 1971.
Detention (Prescription of the Time Limit) Decree, No.7 of 1971.
Legal Notice No.i1 of 1971.
Legal Notice of No1 of 1979
Military Police (Powers of Arrest) Decree, No.35 of 1972.
Newspapers and Publications Vested Decree, No.8 of 1972.
Process dings against Government (protection) Decree, no.8 of 1972.
Suspension of Political Activities Decree, no.12 of 19731.
Trial by Military Tribunals Decree 12of 1973.

Cases

Efulayimu Bukenya v.AG (1972) HCB 87.
Uganda v. Alfred James Kisubi (1975) HCB 173
Amos Mugisha v. Uganda (179).HCB 271.
Kayira & Ors v. Rugumayo & Ors Constitutional Case No.1of 1979.
John F. Kityo v.AG (1983)HCB 56
Kyesimira v. AG civ App No.1 of 1981. Kiyemba v.AG. HCCS No.192 of 1983.
Rwakasisi v. AG (1985) HCB 113.

MODULE VI: NRM Period: Up to the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution

‘Fundamental Change’ and ‘Not a mere change of Guards’ –NRM/A and Constitutionalism in Uganda
NRM/A government and the courts –Ssempebwa (1986)
Constitutional making process and the political destiny of Uganda (1992-95)

References

Legal Notice No. 1 of 1986.
Legal Notice No. 6 of 1986.
Legal notice no.6 of 1986 (Amendment) Ordinance,1986
Resistance Committees (Judicial Powers) Statute, No.1 of 1987
Resistance Committees (Judicial Powers) Amendment Bill, 1991.
Resistance Councils and Committees Statute, No.9 of 1987.
Resistance Councils and Committees Statute (Amendment) (No.2) Ordinance 1989.
Uganda Constitutional Commissions Statute, No.5 of 1988.
Uganda Constitutional Commission Report; Analysis and Recommendations 1992.
Constitution Assembly Statute, No.6 of 1993.
Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995.
Constitutional (Amendment) Act, No.13 of 2000.

Cases

In Re Muwanga, misc. cause no.72 of 1987.
F Sempebwa v.AG, Constitutional Case No.1 of 1987.
In Re Mukasa-Muyanja, misc. cause No.29 of 1989.
Oonyu v. A G MISC Cause no.113 of 1989.
Uganda v. Muhammed Sharif Bazibu & Ors, crim .case No U1423 of 1991.

Suggested reading

Barya ,J.J; Popular democracy and the legitimacy of the Constitution: some reflects on Uganda’s Constitution –Making Process,CBR publications Working paper no.8 (1993) The making of Uganda’s Constitution: achieving consensus by law? CBR Publications, working paper no. 57 (2000).
Bwenje,F.A/W; The Agony of Uganda; from Idi Amin to Obote;an Analysis of the 1980 controversial general Elections and its aftermaths; repressive rule And blood shed; regency press, London,(1985).
Decalo,s; Coups and army rule in africa;2^nd Edition, Yale University ,press, new haven,& London,1990: Uganda the post independence vaccum”; (pp.139-197).
Geoffrey Wilson; Cases and materials on Constituently and Administrative law, Cambridge University Press, 1966.
Gingyera –Pinycwa Northern Uganda in national politics; fountain Publishers Kampala,(1992).
Hansen,H.B. Uganda now and between decay and development East African studies; James carry London,(1998).
Hood Philips; leading cases in constitution and leading law, 3^rd edition), Sweet Maxwell, London, 1967.
Hood Philips; Constitution and administrative law,(4^th), Maxwell,1967.
Kabwegyere,B.T, Peoples,Choice,People’s Power challengesAnd prospects of democracy in Uganda, Fountain publisher’s kampala,2000.
Kabwegyere,t.b; The politics of the state formation and destruction In Uganda; fountain publisher’s Kampala 1995.
Kanyeihamba,g.w; Constitutional law and government in Uganda, East African literature bureau, 1975.
Karugire: A constitutional history of Uganda
Kirunda –Kivejinja, Uganda ,the crisis of confidence, progressive Publishing house, Kampala, 1995
Mamdani,M; Pluralism and the right of association, CBR Publications working paper no.29(1993)
Ministry of information and broadcacasting The first 366 days, Kampala. Monshipouri,M; Democratization, and human rights in the third World; Lynne Reiner publishers, London (1995)
Morris and Read; Uganda; the development of its constitutionand its laws, Cambridge University Press 1966.
Mudoola,,Dan,M; Religion ethnicity and politics in Uganda; (2^nd) Fountain publishers kampala,1996.
Mugaju ,J (ed.); Uganda’s age of reforms; a critical review, Fountain publishers Kampala, 1999.
Mugaju,j Oloka-Onyango,J. (Eds.); No-party Democracy: Myths and Realities, Fountain Publisher’s Kampala,2000.
Museveni,Y.K; What is Africa’s Problem, Speeches and Writings on Africa NRM Publications Kampala, 1992.
Museveni,Y.K; Sowing the Mustard Seed: The Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in Uganda, (1997).
Mutibwa, P; Uganda since independence; a story of Unfulfilled hopes; London; Hurst& co. (Publishers) ltd (1992).
Nabudere, D.W; Imperialism and Revolution in Uganda, Oryx Press, Tanzania publishing house,1980. Ondoga;O; A Museveni’s long march from guerilla to Statesman, fountain publishers, Kampala (1998).
Tumusiime, J;(Ed.) Uganda, 30years,1962-1992, Fountain Publishers ltd, Kampala.

Articles

Abu Mayanja; The Government’s Proposal for a new constitution Transition No.3 vol.7 (I) 1967.
W.Bradley; Constitution making in Uganda; Transition no.3 vol.7 (i) 1967.
Emery Bundy; Uganda’s new constitution, East African Journal vol.3 1966.
Ibiringira,G.S; A Perspective on Uganda’s constitution making experience 1992-1993, a paper presented at the Uganda law society. Annual K. Kiwanuka memorial lecture at international conference Centre, Kampala, 1993.
Onyango-Oloka; j; Taming the Executive: the history of and challenges to Uganda’s constitution-making.

Government Documents

Amnesty Commission; qualification for amnesty& application guidelines (2001).
Parliament of the republic of Uganda; report of the sessional committee on defense and internal affairs on the amnesty bill, 1999, the parliament house, Kampala (November 1999).
Uganda Human Rights Commission Annual Reports

COURSE ASSESSMENT:

The course shall be assessed as herein below:-