A Critical Analysis of the Law On Bail Practice in Uganda: A Case Study of the Magistrate and High Court

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

TABLE OF CASES ........................................................................................................................................ v

LIST OF STATUTES .................................................................................................................................... vi

TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................. vii

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

1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................................... 3

1.3 Objectives of the Study ....................................................................................................................... 3

1.3.1 General Objective ............................................................................................................................. 3

1.3.2 Specific objectives ............................................................................................................................ 3

1.4 Justifications of the Study ................................................................................................................... 3

1.5 Hypothesis ............................................................................................................................................. 4

1.6 Methodology ......................................................................................................................................... 4

1.7 Literature Review ................................................................................................................................. 4

1.8 Chapterisation ....................................................................................................................................... 4

CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................................. 6

NATURE OF BAIL .......................................................................................................................... G

2.1 Nature of Bail ........................................................................................................................................ G

2.2 Definition of bail ................................................................................................................................... 7

2.3 Object/Rationale of Bail ...................................................................................................................... 7

2.4 Who May Grant Bail ............................................................................................................................. 7

2.5 When Bail may be granted ................................................................................................................. 8

2.6 No Bail Pending Sentence on Committal for sense ......................................................................... 8

2.7 No Bail after Committal for Trial ........................................................................................................ 9

2.8 Bail in Capital Offences ....................................................................................................................... 9

2. 9 Application for Bail ............................................................................................................................... 9

2.10 Considerations for Bail ...................................................................................................................... 9

2.11 Mandatory Bail... ............................................................................................................................... 10

vii

CHAPTER THREE ......................................................................................................................... 11

MAJOR LAWS RELATING TO BAIL IN UGANDA ................................................................... 11

3.1 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda .......................................................................................... 11

3.2 Magistrate Courts Act (MCA) Cap 16 .............................................................................................. 12

3.3. The TIA .............................................................................................................................................. 12

3.4 Police Act ............................................................................................................................................. 12

3.5 Following Provisions are Very Important. ....................................................................................... 13

3.6 Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) Act .................................................................................. 13

3.7 Reasons for arresting and detaining a person ............................................................................... 13

3.7.1 Power to Arrest ............................................................................................................................... 14

3.8 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 15

CHAPTER FOUR .......................................................................................................................... 16

CHALLENGES AFFECTING THE GRANT OF BAIL ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL

JUSTICE IN UGANDA ................................................................................................................. 16

4.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 16

4.1. CHALLENGES ..................................................................................................................................... 17

4 .1.1 Access to Courts of Law ................................................................................................................ 17

4.1.2 Failure to meet Bail conditions ..................................................................................................... 18

4.1.3 Corruption ........................................................................................................................................ 21

4.1.4 Independence of judiciary ............................................................................................................. 22

4.1.5 Misapplication of Law ..................................................................................................................... 24

CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................................ 25

RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS .......................................................................... 25

5.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 25

5.1 Recommendation ............................................................................................................................... 25

5.2 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 28

BIBLIOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................................................... 30