A Critical Analysis of the Laws Requiring Legal Literacy and Their Impact On Access to Justice by The Poor and Vulnerable People in Uganda Today

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPIC

Declaration ............................................................................................... .I

Approval .................................................................................................. .ii

Acknowledgements ..................................................................................... iii

Abstract ................................................................................................ .iv

List of cases ............................................................................................. v

List of instruments ..................................................................................... vi

Acronyms .............................................................................................. vii

Dedication .............................................................................................. viii

Table of contents ........................................................................................ ix

CHAPTER ONE ....................................................................................... !

1.0. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

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

1.2 Background ......................................................................................... .4

1.3 Statement of the problem ......................................................................... 5

1.4 General Objectives .................................................................................... 6

1.5 Specific objectives .................................................................................. 6

1.6 Hypothesis ........................................................................................... 7

1.7 Literature Review .................................................................................... 7

1.8 Scope of the Study ................................................................................. 8

1.9 Methodology ....................................................................................... 9

1.10 Limitation of the Study .............................................................................. 9

1.11 Significance of the Study .......................................................................... 10

1.12 Conclusion ......................................................................................... 10

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CHAPTER TWO ...... .............. ......................... ........................................ 12

2.0. LAWS AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS THAT PROMOTE LEGAL

LITERACY AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN UGANDA TODAY

2.1 Introduction ... .. .. ..... .................. ... ... .... .... .. .............. .. ................... .. ...... 12

2.2 International Human Rights Framework ... .... .............. ...... ... .................. ....... 12

2.2.1 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights ............................................... 13

2.2.2 The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ......................... .. ..... 13

2.2.3 The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights ................ 15

2.2.4 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child ................................... 14

2.2.5 The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

(CEDAW) .............................................................................................. 17

2.3 Regional Human Rights Instruments .................................. ........................ 18

2.3.1 The Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights ................................. ...... 18

2. 3 .2 African Youth Charter .................................................. .... ................... 1 9

2.4 Other Instruments (Soft Law) ................................ ......................... ..... .... .19

2.4.1 Resolution on the Rights to Fair Trial and Legal Aid in Africa (Dakar

Declaration) ...................... ......................................................... .............. 20

2.4.2 The Lilongwe Declaration on Accessing Legal Aid in the Criminal justice System in

Africa 2004 ...... .. ................. ................... ...................................................... 21

2.4.3 The Kyiv Declaration on the Rights to Legal Aid Conference on the Protection and

Promotion of Human Rights through Provision of Legal Services

2007 .................................... .. .............................................. .... ················ 22

2.5 National Policy Frameworks ............ .............................. ...... ...................... 24

2.5.1 JLOS Strategic Investment Plan SIP III ... .............. ... ................................... 24

2.5.2 The Legal Aid Policy and Draft Bill ......................................................... 27

2.6 National Legal Framework .................................................................... .. 27

2.6.1 The 1995 Constitution of Uganda ............................................................ 27

2.6.2 The Persons with Disabilities Act of 2006 ....................... ................... ........ 28

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2.6.3 The Evidence Act Cap 6 ....................................................................... 28

2. 7 Conclusion ......................................................................................... 28

CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................... 30

3.0. THE IMPACT OF LEGAL LITERACY ON ACCESS TO JUSTICE BY THE

MARGINALIZED GROUPS IN UGANDA TODAY

3.1 What does Access to Justice mean? .............................................................................. .30

3.2 What does Legal literacy mean? .................................................................................... 30

3.3 What does Marginalization mean? ................................................................................ .31

3.4 The impact of Legal literacy on the Access to Justice ....................................... .32

3.5 Implications for the poor and vulnerable in terms of Access to Justice .................. .34

3.6 Conclusion ........................................................................................ .35

CHAPTER FOUR. ................................................................................ ... .37

4.0. THE DIFFERENT A VENUES THROUGH WHICH THE POOR AND THE

VULUNERABLE MAY ACCESS JUSTICE IN UGANDA

4.1 The functioning of the legal system and general access to justice situation ............... 37

4.2 Models of Legal Aid in Uganda ................................................................. 38

4.2.1 State provided legal assistance ............................................................... .38

4.2.2 State Brief scheme ............................................................................. .39

4 .2 .3 Pro bono legal scheme ........................................................................ .40

4.2.4 Uganda Human Rights Tribunal.. ........................................................... .40

4.2.5 Justice Centers .................................................................................. .41

4.2.6 Small Claims Court. ........................................................................... .41

4.3 Impact of legal aid on pove1iy and the vulnerability ........................................ .42

4.3.1 Public Interest Litigation ...................................................................... .43

4.4 Barriers in Accessing Justice by the Poor and Vulnerable in Uganda .................... .44

4.4.1 Physical accessibility to legal or justice delivery agencies ................................ 44

4.4.2 Lack of confidence in the justice delivery system ......................................... .44

4.4.3 The complexities of the justice system ..................................................... .45

4.4.4 The cost of Justice .............................................................................. 45

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4.4.5 Threat of Corruption .......................................................................... .46

4.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................ .47

CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................ ........................ 49

5.0. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Recommendations ................................................................................ 49

5.2 Conclusion ......................................................................................... 51