Uganda Act or statute

Parliament of Uganda

Human Rights (Enforcement) Act

Jurisdiction: Uganda
Structure: 19 provisions
Citation: Chapter 12
Dates: As at 31 Dec 2023

More statute details

Dates: As at 31 Dec 2023

Source attribution: Source: Uganda Legal Information Institute

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Purpose and legislative effect

“The Act applies to enforcement of human rights by courts but does not apply to investigation, protection or enforcement of rights and freedoms by the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission.”

The Act applies to enforcement of human rights by courts but does not apply to investigation, protection or enforcement of rights and freedoms by the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission. This section provides definitions of terms used in the Act (for example "application", "competent court", "Minister", "non-derogable rights and freedoms", "Rules Committee", "subordinate court", and "victim of a human rights violation"). Public officers who violate or participate in violations of a person’s rights or freedoms are personally liable and, if a competent court orders compensation, such officers found responsible must pay a portion of that compensation as determined by the court. It is an offence for a person to derogate from a non-derogable right or freedom guaranteed under the Constitution; criminal proceedings may be instituted by the Director of Public Prosecutions preferring a charge or by any person making a complaint on oath, and on conviction the offender may be imprisoned for up to fifteen years. The State must take all reasonable steps to comply with monetary court orders; victims or others may apply to court to enforce non-complied orders, and courts may issue appropriate orders, including for contempt.

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Preliminary - Application of Act

Section 1

Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Progressive realisation of rights and freedoms

Section 13

Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Enforcement of rights and freedoms by High Court

The High Court must hear and determine applications about enforcement or violation of specified rights and freedoms listed in the section.

Section 4

Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Orders that may be made by court in human rights cases

The competent court may order various remedies and, when it finds a violation of a fundamental right, shall issue appropriate orders including compensation; restitution, compensation, rehabilitation or any payment ordered is a civil debt owed to the victim.

Section 9

Miscellaneous - Limitation of human rights actions

Actions to enforce human rights must generally be started within ten years, but the competent court may allow a late action if satisfied the victim could not reasonably have brought it within that time.

Section 19

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Source record from ulii.org · As at 31 Dec 2023

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Showing 19 of 19 provisions

Provision 14Offence 2InterpretationCommencement

Part I

Preliminary

§ 1Preliminary - Application of ActProvision

Section Application of Act Section This Act applies to the enforcement of human rights and freedoms guaranteed under Chapter Four of the Constitution . This Act shall apply to the enforcement of human rights by a competent court . Save as provided, this Act shall not apply to investigation, protection or enforcement of rights and freedoms by the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Section 1Verify source

§ 2Preliminary - InterpretationInterpretation

This section provides definitions of terms used in the Act (for example "application", "competent court", "Minister", "non-derogable rights and freedoms", "Rules Committee", "subordinate court", and "victim of a human rights violation").

Section Interpretation Section In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “ application ” means an application to a competent court under Article 50 of the Constitution for redress in relation to the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under Articles 20 to 45 of the Constitution ; “ competent court ” means the High Court or a Magistrate’s Court; “ Minister ” means the Minister responsible for justice; “ non-derogable rights and freedoms ” means rights and freedoms listed in Article 44 of the Constitution ; “ Rules Committee ” means the Rules Committee established under the Judicature Act; “ subordinate court ” means any court lower than the High Court or established under the Magistrates Courts Act , or the Local Council Courts Act; “ victim of a human rights violation ” means a person who suffers a human rights violation and includes the person’s immediate family or dependants or any other person whose rights have been violated as a result of the violation of the victim’s rights and freedoms.

Section 2Verify source

Part II

Enforcement of human rights and freedoms

§ 10Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Personal liability for infringement of rights and freedomsProvision

Public officers who violate or participate in violations of a person’s rights or freedoms are personally liable and, if a competent court orders compensation, such officers found responsible must pay a portion of that compensation as determined by the court.

Section Personal liability for infringement of rights and freedoms Section A public officer who, individually or in association with others, violates or participates in the violation of a person’s rights or freedoms shall be held personally liable for the violation, notwithstanding the State being vicariously liable for his or her actions. Whenever the competent court orders for the payment of compensation or any other form of restitution to a victim of a human rights violation by the State, a public officer who is found by the competent court to have personally violated or participated in the violation of a person’s human rights or freedoms shall pay a portion of the compensation or restitution so ordered as shall be determined by the competent court .

Section 10Verify source

§ 11Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Derogation from non-derogable rights and freedomsOffence

It is an offence for a person to derogate from a non-derogable right or freedom guaranteed under the Constitution; criminal proceedings may be instituted by the Director of Public Prosecutions preferring a charge or by any person making a complaint on oath, and on conviction the offender may be imprisoned for up to fifteen years.

Section Derogation from non-derogable rights and freedoms Section Whenever, in any criminal proceeding— Criminal proceedings under this Act may be instituted in any of the following ways— It is an offence for a person to derogate from a non-derogable right and freedom guaranteed under the Constitution . it appears to the judge or magistrate presiding over a trial; it is brought to the attention of the competent court ; or the competent court makes a finding, Criminal proceedings may be instituted against a person who breaches a non-derogable right or freedom guaranteed under the Constitution even where an action for protection or enforcement of such a right or freedom has not been instituted. by the Director of Public Prosecutions preferring a charge against a person; or by any person making a complaint on oath to a competent court . The validity of any proceedings instituted or purported to be instituted under subsection (3) shall not be affected by any defect in the charge or complaint or by the fact that a summons or warrant was issued without any complaint or charge or, in the case of a warrant, without a complaint on oath. A person who commits the offence determined under subsection (1) is liable, on conviction, if no sentence is prescribed by law for such violation, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fifteen years.

Section 11Verify source

§ 12Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Complying with orders and directives of courtProvision

The State must take all reasonable steps to comply with monetary court orders; victims or others may apply to court to enforce non-complied orders, and courts may issue appropriate orders, including for contempt.

Section Complying with orders and directives of court Section Save for monetary orders against the State, any other order, directive or recommendation made or issued by the competent court under this Act shall, unless it is appealed, be complied with within such a time as shall be determined by the competent court . The State shall take all reasonable steps to comply with monetary orders issued by the competent court within a reasonable time. Whenever an order, recommendation or directive issued by a competent court is not complied with within the time prescribed by the court, a victim of the human rights violation or any other person may apply to court for summons to be issued against a person who is obligated to comply with the order to show cause why he or she should not be committed to civil prison for contempt of court. The application in subsection (3) shall be made to the court that issued the order, directive or recommendation sought to be enforced. Where a person makes an application under subsection (3) , court may issue orders as it considers appropriate complying with its orders.

Section 12Verify source

§ 13Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Progressive realisation of rights and freedomsProvision

Allows a person who believes the State is failing to progressively realise constitutional or treaty rights to apply to the High Court; requires courts to order, and the Government to take, measurable steps where rights cannot be realised due to resource constraints; and requires the Government to report annually to Parliament on steps taken under subsection (2) and treaty obligations.

Section Progressive realisation of rights and freedoms Section A person who has reason to believe that the State is not taking adequate steps for the progressive realisation of rights and freedoms guaranteed under Chapter Four of the Constitution or international treaties to which the State is a party, may apply to the High Court for redress. Notwithstanding subsection (1) , wherever the competent court finds that a specific right or freedom cannot be realised due to resource constraints, the competent court shall order the Government to take measureable steps for the progressive realisation of that right or freedom. The Government shall annually report to Parliament on the steps taken to progressively realise rights and freedoms as required by subsection (2) as well as any other rights and freedoms prescribed in international treaties to which Uganda is a party.

Section 13Verify source

§ 14Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Loss of immunity from prosecutionCommencement

Persons granted immunity under any law shall automatically lose that immunity if a competent court finds they violated a Chapter Four right or freedom; following loss of immunity such persons shall be prosecuted or found liable for acts or omissions done in the course of duty.

Section Loss of immunity from prosecution Section Immunity shall not be a defense to proceedings commenced under this Act. Subject to Article 98(4) of the Constitution , a person to whom immunity is granted under any law, shall automatically lose that immunity if he or she is found by a competent court to have violated a right or freedom guaranteed under Chapter Four of the Constitution . Where a person loses immunity as prescribed in subsection (2) , such a person shall be prosecuted or found liable for acts or omissions done in the course of his or her duty. Where a person is dismissed or otherwise removed from office for misbehaviour or misconduct under any law, a finding that such a person violated a right or freedom guaranteed under the Constitution shall constitute misbehaviour or misconduct under that law and such a person shall be dismissed or removed from office.

Section 14Verify source

§ 15Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Unconditional release of persons unreasonably detainedOffence

The High Court may order production, impose obligations, or order release of unreasonably detained persons; persons in charge of detention facilities must release or seek authorization to release when they have reason to believe detention is unreasonable; orders by the High Court must be complied with immediately when served.

Section Unconditional release of persons unreasonably detained Section The High Court shall, on being satisfied that a person is unreasonably detained— In this section, a person shall be taken to be unreasonably detained where— It shall be an offence for a person in charge of a place of detention to— A person who has reason to believe that another person is being unreasonably detained in the circumstances prescribed in subsection (4) may petition the High Court for the unconditional release of such a person. A person in charge of a prison, police station or any other gazetted detention facility shall, where he or she has reason to believe that a person in that prison, police station or detention facility is unreasonably being detained, release or apply to the competent court or any other authority for authorisation to release that person from detention. order for the production of such a person before court; impose obligations on the person in charge of a detention centre in which such a person is detained, as the High Court considers appropriate; or order for the release of such a person from detention on any terms and conditions as the High Court determines. he or she has been detained beyond forty-eight hours after arrest without being brought before a competent court ; he or she, being charged with an offence triable by a subordinate court , is remanded in custody before trial for a period exceeding one hundred twenty days; he or she, being charged with an offence triable by the High Court, is remanded in custody for a period exceeding three hundred sixty days before the case is committed to the High Court for trial; he or she, being committed for trial to the High Court, is remanded without trial for a period exceeding half of the period of imprisonment he or she would be liable to if he or she was to plead guilty or be convicted of the offence; the procedure leading to his or her detention was irregular or unlawful; there are no justifiable reasons for his or her continued detention; his or her non-derogable rights have been infringed upon; or his or her continued detention amounts to a miscarriage of justice. An order issued by the High Court in subsection (3) shall, upon being served on the Attorney General or the person in charge of a place of detention, be complied with immediately. refuse service or ignore the order made under subsection (3) ; upon being served with an order, to do any act that defeats the purpose of that order. Where a person in charge of a place of detention contravenes subsection (6) , any person may make an application to court and court shall make such orders as it deems fit. A person who commits an offence prescribed in subsection (6) is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years. A person who detains another in the circumstances described in subsection (4)(a) , (e) and (g) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.

Section 15Verify source

§ 3Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Enforcement of human rights and freedomsProvision

A person or organisation claiming that a constitutional right or freedom has been infringed or threatened may apply to a competent court for redress.

Section Enforcement of human rights and freedoms Section Court proceedings under subsection (1) may be instituted by— In accordance with Article 50 of the Constitution , a person or organisation who claims that a fundamental or other right or freedom guaranteed under the Constitution has been infringed or threatened may, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter that is lawfully available, apply for redress to a competent court in accordance with this Act. a person acting on behalf of another person, who cannot act in their own name; a person acting as a member of, or in the interest of a group or class of persons; a person acting in the public interest; or an association acting in the interest of one or more of its members.

Section 3Verify source

§ 4Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Enforcement of rights and freedoms by High CourtProvision

The High Court must hear and determine applications about enforcement or violation of specified rights and freedoms listed in the section.

Section Enforcement of rights and freedoms by High Court Section The High Court shall hear and determine any application relating to the enforcement or violation of— non-derogable rights and freedoms guaranteed in Article 44 of the Constitution ; other rights, duties, declarations and guarantees relating to fundamental and other human rights and freedoms envisaged in Article 45 of the Constitution ; rights and freedoms restricted under a law made for purposes of a state of emergency; and rights and freedoms which are preserved by this Act, to be determined by a magistrates court, where the remedy sought by the applicant is beyond the pecuniary jurisdiction of that court. An application under subsection (1) shall be in the form prescribed by regulations and may, unless the High Court determines otherwise, be heard in open court.

Section 4Verify source

§ 5Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Enforcement of rights and freedoms by magistrates courtsProvision

A magistrate's court must hear and decide applications about enforcement or violation of Chapter Four rights not covered by section 4(1); applications may be made in any language or form; if made orally or in another language the magistrate must reduce it into writing in the courts language.

Section Enforcement of rights and freedoms by magistrates courts Section A magistrate’s court shall hear and determine an application relating to the enforcement or violation of human rights and freedoms guaranteed in Chapter Four of the Constitution in any of the circumstances not referred to in section 4(1) . The application under subsection (1) may be made in any language, orally or in writing or in any other form, as may be prescribed by regulations. Where the application is made orally or in any language other than the language of court, the magistrate shall reduce it in writing in the language of court.

Section 5Verify source

§ 6Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - General provisions on human rights suitsProvision

Permits persons to join multiple defendants when uncertain who is liable; allows the competent court to permit expert 'friend of the court' appearances; and prohibits the competent court from dismissing suits merely for procedural or technical failures.

Section General provisions on human rights suits Section A suit for the enforcement or protection of human rights and freedoms shall, where possible, be instituted in the court in whose jurisdiction the alleged violation took place. Where a person is in doubt as to the person from whom he or she is entitled to obtain redress, he or she may join two or more persons in order for the question as to which person is liable for the violation to be determined by the competent court . The competent court may allow any person with expertise on a particular issue which is before court to appear as a friend of the court, either on application or on the competent court ’s own request. For avoidance of doubt, statutory notice shall not be a requirement for suits under this Act. No suit instituted under this Act, shall be rejected or otherwise dismissed by the competent court merely for failure to comply with any procedure, form or on any technicality.

Section 6Verify source

§ 7Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Reference of human rights matters by subordinate courtsProvision

Section Reference of human rights matters by subordinate courts Section Where in any proceedings in a subordinate court , any question arises as to the violation of a fundamental right or freedom, the magistrate shall refer the question for determination by the High Court. Where a human rights matter arises in any proceedings before a magistrate’s court, the court shall immediately stay the proceedings in the main matter and first determine the human rights issue raised. A magistrate presiding over proceedings referred to in subsection (1) may stay the proceedings until the reference is determined and may, in case of a criminal trial, grant bail to the accused person. The magistrate presiding over the matter shall dispose of the question referred to in subsection (1) in accordance with the determination of the High Court. The High Court shall, within ninety days from the date of the reference, determine the reference made to it.

Section 7Verify source

§ 8Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Consideration of human rights matters arising in High CourtProvision

If a question arises in any High Court proceeding about a violation of a fundamental right or freedom, the presiding judge must immediately stay the proceedings and decide the question; the High Court may, after staying proceedings under subsection (1) and in a criminal trial, grant bail to the accused.

Section Consideration of human rights matters arising in High Court Section Where, in any proceeding in the High Court, a question arises as to the violation of a fundamental right or freedom, the presiding judge shall immediately stay the proceedings and determine the question raised. The High Court may, upon staying the proceedings in subsection (1) , in case of a criminal trial, grant bail to the accused person.

Section 8Verify source

§ 9Enforcement of human rights and freedoms - Orders that may be made by court in human rights casesProvision

Section Orders that may be made by court in human rights cases Section The competent court may, in addition to the orders referred to under subsection (1) , order for— satisfaction, which shall include— Where the competent court determines that a fundamental right or freedom has been violated, unlawfully denied or should be enforced, the competent court shall issue orders it considers appropriate, including an order for compensation. the restitution of the victim to the original situation before the violation of his or her human rights and freedoms; the rehabilitation of the victim, including the provision of medical and psychological care; or measures aimed at the cessation of the continuing violation of human rights and freedoms; verification of the facts, full and public disclosure of the truth to the extent that such disclosure does not cause further harm or threaten the safety and interests of the victim, the victim’s relatives, witnesses, or persons who have intervened to assist the victim or prevent the occurrence of further violations; restoring the dignity, the reputation and the rights of the victim and of the persons closely connected with the victim; public apology, including acknowledgement of the facts and acceptance of responsibility; criminal and other judicial and administrative sanctions against the persons liable for the violations; and guarantees of non-repetition. Restitution, compensation, rehabilitation or any payment ordered by the competent court under this section shall be a civil debt owed to the victim of a human rights violation . Any order made under this Act shall be complied with, within six months from the date of determination, unless appealed against.

Section 9Verify source

Part III

Miscellaneous

§ 16Miscellaneous - AppealsProvision

An aggrieved person may appeal specified court decisions to the next higher court; the court receiving the appeal must hear and decide it within three months and may suspend other matters to do so.

Section Appeals Section A person aggrieved by a decision or order of a competent court may— in case of a decision or an order of a magistrate’s court, appeal to the High Court; in case of a decision or an order of the High Court, appeal to the Court of Appeal; or in case of a decision or an order of the Court of Appeal, appeal to the Supreme Court. The court to which an appeal is filed under subsection (1) shall proceed to hear and determine the appeal within three months from the date of filing of the appeal and may, for that purpose, suspend any other matter pending before it. The law governing civil appeals shall, with necessary modifications, apply to appeals under this Act.

Section 16Verify source

§ 17Miscellaneous - Application of Civil Procedure ActProvision

The Civil Procedure Act and its rules may, with necessary modifications, be applied to enforce the rights and freedoms under this Act.

Section Application of Civil Procedure Act Section The Civil Procedure Act, and the rules made under that Act may, with the necessary modifications, apply to the enforcement of rights and freedoms under this Act.

Section 17Verify source

§ 18Miscellaneous - Rules of procedureSubstitution

The Rules Committee may make rules, subject to the Act, to implement this Act including a list of specific procedural matters.

Section Rules of procedure Section Without prejudice to subsection (1) , the Rules Committee may make rules— Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Rules Committee may make rules to give effect to the provisions of this Act. prescribing the fees payable under this Act; prescribing the time for applications and references under this Act; for evidence and procedure; for joinder, addition, substitution and striking out parties; for the admission of amicus curiae ; for service and enforcement of service; for notices, warrants and other processes; for summoning of witnesses; for facts to be proved at any stage of the proceedings; for the mode in which the facts may be given; for service of applications for enforcement or protection of rights; for reply to applications for enforcement or protection of rights; for consolidation of applications; for the content of an application for enforcement or protection of rights; for hearing of applications for enforcement or protection of rights and freedoms; for costs; for withdrawal or discontinuance of applications; and for any other matter as the Rules Committee may deem fit.

Section 18Verify source

§ 19Miscellaneous - Limitation of human rights actionsProvision

Section Limitation of human rights actions Section Save for rights and freedoms guaranteed under Article 44 of the Constitution , actions for enforcement of human rights and freedoms shall be instituted within ten years of the occurrence of the human rights violation. Notwithstanding subsection (1) , the competent court may allow an action to be brought after the expiry of the period referred to in subsection (1) on being satisfied that the victim of the violation was unable, for any justifiable reasons, to bring the action within the time prescribed under subsection (1) . For the avoidance of doubt, the Civil Procedure and Limitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act shall not apply to proceedings instituted under this Act.

Section 19Verify source

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Civil Procedure Act
Section 17

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