UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF LAW
BACHELOR OF LAWS DEGREE YEAR ONE
TRINITY SEMESTER 2024
COURSE NAME: Constitutional History and Politics of Uganda.
Lecturers:
Ms. Natamba Irene, Mr Paul Okirig and Mr Abel Obua.
Tutors:
Ms. Ruth Mbabazi , Ms. Kitimbo Shamirah, Ms Lilian Nabirye and Mr. Ayesiga Job
Ernest.
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:
1. Introduction: Origins of Constitutional law
2. Colonial rule and birth of the colonial state in Uganda
3. Independent Uganda (1962 – 1965)
4. The 1966- 1971 period
5. Militant politics in 1971 – 1985
6. 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.
Integration of faith in learning:

This course will integrate faith in teaching and learning. In this course, we will provide
supportive scripture for the different course topics. Students will be encouraged to integrate the
scripture with course content and be guided by Christian values when handling professional
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situations. In addition to Christian literature and secular readings, the Bible will be used as a text.
Through Socratic dialogue, debates and group discussions, students will be guided to identify
points of tension between Christian literature and secular literature and helped to understand how
to resolve the tension and to arrive at proper resolution of legal questions.

Course content
Module 1: Origins of the ideas of a constitution
1. Greek Political Thought: Plato and his Predecessors
2. Magna Carta 1215 (UK)
3. Petition of Rights 1628 (UK)
4. Locke: Two treatises of Government
5. Montesque: Spirit of the laws
6. Rousseau, J.J: The Social contract 1762
7. American Declaration of Independence 1766
8. Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen 1791 and 1793
9. Constitution of the United States of America 1787
Module 2: Colonial rule and the birth of the Constitutional State in Uganda
1. B(U)ganda Agreement of 1900 and significance in constitutional history.
2. Uganda Orders-in-Council of 1902 and 1920.
3. Colonial Administration between 1902 and 1930s - native authority, repugnancy clauses
etc.
4. Uganda Protectorate in the 1920s and the 1930s –bataka and peasantry grievances
(Busulu-envujjo); O-I-C vis-à-vis Kingdom agreements
5. Overview of the “Human Face” period of Colonial Rule (1940s onwards)
6. Constitutional reforms and the kabaka crisis (1953-5)
7. Sir Andrew Cohen as reformist Governor of Uganda (1952-57)
8. Birth of Political Parties – UNC, DP, UPU, PP, UPC, KY
9. Preparations for independence- Wild/Munster Reports, Buganda’s intransigence,
Lancaster/Marlborough conferences.
References
1. Buganda Agreement 1900 and 1955
2. Toro Agreement of 1901
3. Ankole Agreement 1901 and 1941
4. Uganda (payment to chiefs) agreement, 1908
5. Deportation ordinance, 1908 and 1956
6. Buganda (native laws) agreement, 1910
7. Native Authority ordinance, 1920

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 8. Uganda poll tax agreement, 1920
9. Proclamation (under article 6) Uganda -in-council 1926
10. Busullu-Envujjo law, 1928
11. Trading ordinance, 1938 and 1950;
12. African local government ordinance, 1949 and 1955;
13. Order in local council, 1955 (Legal notice no. 140 of 1955);
14. Uganda independence order-in-council, 1962
Cases
1. Katozi v Kanizi (1907) Uganda Protectorate Law Reports, Vol. 1, 24
2. NasaaniiriKibuuka v A.E BertheMith (1908) Uganda Protectorate Law Reports, Vol. 1,
34
3. R v Amkeyo (1917) KLR 14
4. Rex v Kowasi K. Pailo and 7 others Crim. App. No. 38 of 1992 (1920) ULR 98
5. Mwenge v Migadde(1932-35) ULR 97
6. R v BesweriKiwanukaH.C criminal Appeal No. 38 of 1937
7. Gwao Bin Kilimo v Kisunda Bin Ifuti (1938)1 TLR 405
8. Mukubwa& others v Mukubira&Others, Civil case no. 50 of 1954 (1952) EA 382
9. RE: G.L Binaisa (1959) EA 997
10. DaudiNdibarema& others v The Enganzi of Ankole& Others (1960) EA 47
Reports
1. Uganda Protectorate, Memorandum on the Constitutional Development and
Representation in Buganda, Government Printer, Entebbe, 1959
2. Uganda Protectorate, Report of the East African Royal Commission, 1953-1955,
Government Printer, Entebbe, 1955
3. Allen, C.P.S; A report on the direct election to the legislative council in Uganda
Protectorate, Government Printer, Entebbe, 1959
4. The Wild Committee Report, 1959
5. The Uganda Protectorate report on the 1961 direct election to the legislative council in
Uganda Protectorate, Government Printer, Entebbe, 1961
6. The Uganda Protectorate report of the Uganda relationship commission (Lord Munster),
June 1961
7. HMSO Uganda protectorate, Report of the Uganda constitutional conference 1961
8. The Lancaster Constitutional conference (September to October 1961)
9. The Constitutional conference at Marlborough (June 1962)
10. Hancock L.R, “Patriotism and neo traditionalism in Buganda; the KabakaYekka (the
King alone) movement, 1961. 1962 Journal of African history, Vol. 1 no3 PP 419- 434
11. Kayunga, S.S Uganda Congress and the struggle for democracy: 1952-1962; Centre for
basic research working paper 14
12. Low, D. A & Pratt, R.C, Buganda and British overrule; two studies (OUP: 1955)
13. Mulira, J Nationalism and the Communist phobia in colonial Uganda, 1945-1960,
Mawazo, Vol. 5 no.1 (1983)

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 14. Muscat R. (ed) History of the democratic party, 1954-1984, FAD, Kampala
Module 3: Independent Uganda (1962-1965): Grappling with the Constitution (1962-68)
1. West Minister model of Government vis-à-vis problems of the head of state.
2. Unitary vs Federal Question: Buganda within Uganda
3. Question of the “Lost counties” 1964 referendum and worsening of the relations between
Mutesa and Obote.
4. Problems of Political governance
5. Onset of the Kabaka (Uganda) Crisis of 1966

References
1. Administration of Justice Act, Cap 26 of 1964
2. Administration (Western Kingdoms and Busoga) Act no. 1 of 1964
3. Busoga Validation Act, No.9 of 1963
4. Independence Constitution of 1962
5. Constitution of Uganda (First Amendment) Act, no.36 of 1964
6. Constitution Heads (Elections) Act, no. 66 of 1963
7. Emergency Powers Act, no.25 of 1963
Cases
1. Jowett Lyagoba v Bakasonga& Others (1963) EA 57
2. John Kazaraine v Lukiko (1963) EA 472
3. Kabaka’s Government and Another v Attorney General of Uganda and Another, Privy
Council Appeal No. 56 of 1964
4. Attorney General of Uganda v Kabaka’s Government (1965) EA 393
Module 4: The 1966-1971 period (1966 Buganda Crisis and Obote 1 Emergency
1. Events leading to the crisis of 1966
2. Ibingira cases 1 & 2 and the judicial power of courts
3. ExparteMatovu case and the phenomenon of extrajudicial measures of constitutional
changes of government in Uganda.
4. Demise of Judicial independence in Obote 1 regime (1966-71)
References
1. Interim Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1966
2. Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1967
3. Emergency Powers Detention Regulations, 65 of 1966
4. Local Administration (Amendment) act 1967
5. Public Order and Security Act No. 20 of 1967
6. Deportation (Validation) Act, No. 14 of 1966
Cases

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 1. Ibingira& Others v AG (1966) EA 305& 445
2. RE: Lumu Application No.31-35 of 1966 (HC)
3. Uganda Commissioner of Prisons Ex Parte Matovu(1966) EA 514
4. Odongkara& Others v Kamada& others (1968) EA 1
5. Ochieng v Uganda (1966) EA 1
6. Shah v Uganda (1969) EA 261
7. Opolot v AG (1969) EA 631
Module 5: Militant Politics in Uganda (1971 – 1985, Amin era to Obote2)
1. Legal Notice No.1/71 and the Constitutionality of the Amin regime
2. UNLF period and ousting of Yusuf Lule
3. Lutakomekayira case (1979)
4. Obote 2 regime and the fate of Constitutionalism
References
1. Constitution (modification) Decree, no.5 of 1971
2. Detention (Prescription of Time Limit) Decree No.7 of 1971
3. Legal Notice No.1 of 1971
4. Legal Notice No.1 of 1979
5. Military Police (Powers of Arrest) Decree No. 8 of 1972
6. Proceedings against Government (Protection) Decree, No. 8 of 1972
7. Suspension of Political Activities Decree No.12 of 1973
8. Trial by Military Tribunals Decree No. 12 of 1973
Cases
1. EfulayimuBukenya v AG (1972) HCB 87
2. Uganda v Alfred James Kisubi (1975) HCB 173
3. Amos Mugisha v Uganda (1979) HCB 271
4. Kayira& Others v Rugumayo& Others, Constitutional Case No.1 of 1979
5. John F. Kityov AG (1983) HCB 56
6. Kyesimira v AG Civil Application No.1 of 1981
7. Kiyemba v AG HCCS No.192 of 1983
8. Rwakasisi v AG (1985) HCB 113
Module 6: NRM period up to the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution
1. Fundamental Change and Not a mere change of guards – NRM/A and Constitutionalism
in Uganda.
2. NRM/A government and the courts – Sempebwa (1986)
3. Constitutional making process and the political destiny of Uganda (1992-95)
References
1. Legal Notice No.1 of 1986
2. Legal Notice No. 6 of 1986

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 3. Legal Notice No. 6 of 1986 (Amendment) Ordinance, 1986
4. Resistance Committees (Judicial Powers) statute, No. 1 of 1987
5. Resistance Committees (Judicial Powers) Amendment Bill, 1991
6. Resistance Councils and Committees Statute, No.9 of 1987
7. Uganda Constitutional Commissions Statute No.5 of 1988
8. Uganda Constitutional Commission Report: Analysis and Recommendations 1992
9. Constitution Assembly Statute, No. 6 of 1993
10. Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995
Cases
1. RE: Muwanga Misc. Cause No.72 of 1987
2. Sempebwa v AG, Constitutional Case No.1 of 1987
3. RE: MukasaMuyanja , Misc. Cause No. 29 of 1989
4. Oonyu v AG, Misc. Cause No.113 of 1989
5. Uganda v Muhammed Sharif Bazibu& Others Crim. Case No. 1423 of 1991
Suggested reading
Barya J.J Popular democracy and the legitimacy of the constitution; some reflections on
Uganda’s Constitution making process. Centre for Basic Research Publications Working Paper
No.8 (1993)
The making of Uganda’s Constitution: Achieving Consensusby law? Centre for Basic Research
Publications, Working Paper No. 57 (2000)
Bwengye F.A The Agony of Uganda; From Idi Amin to Obote, An analysis of the 1980
controversial general elections and its aftermath; Repressive rule and bloodshed. Regency Press
London (1985)
Decalo S. Coups and Army rule in Africa. 2nd Edition, Yale University Press, New Haven&
London 1990
Compendium of Conflicts in Uganda. Refugee Law Project, Kampala 2015
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 Phillips, Leading cases in Constitutional law. 3rd Edition. Sweet and Maxwell, London,
1967
Kabwegyere B.T, People’s choice, People’s power, Challenges and Prospects of democracy in
Uganda. Fountain Publishers Kampala 2000.
Kanyeihamba G.W,Constitutional law and governenment in Uganda
Karugire, A constitutional history of Uganda

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KirundaKivejinja,Uganda, the crisis of confidence (1995)
Mamdani M, Pluralism and the right of Association Centre for Basic Research Publication No.
29 of 1993
Morris & Read, Uganda, the development of its Constitution and laws. Cambridge University
Press (1966)
Mudoola Religion, Ethnicity and Politics in Uganda. Fountain Publishers Kampala 1996.
Mugaju J Uganda’s age of reforms, a critical review. Fountain Publishers Kampala 1996.
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 (1992)
Nabudere D. W Imperialism and Revolution in Uganda (1980)
Ondonga O. A. Museveni’s long march from guerilla to statesman (1998)
Tumusiime J. Uganda, 30 years (1962-1992)

Articles
Abu Mayanja: The Government’s proposal for a new Constitution (Transition No.3 Vol. 7 1967)
Bradley W. Constitution making in Uganda (Transition No.3 Vol.7 1967)
Emery Bundy Uganda’s new Constitution (East African Journal Vol.3 1966)
Onyango Oloka J. Tamming the Executive: The history of and challenges to Uganda’s
Constitution making
Course Assessment
Course work 30%
Closed book exam 70%