A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE UGANDA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IN PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF SOCIAL ECONOMIC RIGHTS

ABSTRCT

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Uganda Human Rights Commission and the challenges it faces in trying to fulfill its mandated functions. The study was based on the following objectives: to determine the level of effectiveness of the UHRC and to determine the challenges in faces as it carries out its mandated functions. The study was conducted through descriptive survey research design; data was collected between June and July 2012 using questionnaires and review of secondary data techniques froni the UHRC head quarters in Kampala. Data was analyzed using frequency counts and snow ball sampling system to determine the level of effectiveness of the UHRC and the challenges it faces. The study established that there was moderate level of effectiveness of the UHRC in carrying out its mandated function and found out that there were major challenges facing the UHRC among which were its wide mandate, financial constraints human Right protection in conflict areas and cultural values within the communities. The study recommended that the government should provide more support to the Commission to enable it to increase activities for sensitization on human rights and civic education in order to eliminate ignorance about human rights.

TABLE OF CONTENT

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

APPROVAL. ............................................. , ............................................................................................ ii

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

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

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ............................................................................. v

TABLE OF CONTENT ...................................................................................................................... vii

ABSTRCT ............................................................................................................................................ ix

I

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

1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Background of the study .......................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem ......................................................................................................... 5

1.3 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................................. 5

1.4 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................................................. 5

1. 5 Research questions .................................................................................................................... 6

1. 6 The scope of the Study .............................................................................................................. 6

1. 7 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................... 6

CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................................................. 8

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ........................................................................................... 8

2.1 Concepts, opinions, ideas from Authors/Experts .............................................................. 8

2.2 The Uganda Human Rights Commission ............................................................................. 8

2.2.1 Functions of the Uganda Human Rights Commission .................................................. 8

2.2.2 The various Social and Economic Rights the UHRC is mandated to protect and

effect ................................................................................................................................................... 16

2.2.3 Effectiveness of the Uganda Human Rights Commission ........................................... 22

2.2.4 Challenges faced by the Uganda Human Rights Commission .................................. 24

Legal Dilemmas ................................................................................................................................ 24

vii

CHAPTER THREE ............................................................................................................................ 33

METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................................................. 33

3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 33

3. 2 Research Design ....................................................................................................................... 33

3.3 Research population ................................................................................................................ 34

3.4 Sample size ................................................................................................................................ 34

3.5 Sampling Procedure ................................................................................................................. 34

3.6 Research instruments ............................................................................................................. 34

3.7 Validity and Reliability of the instruments ........................................................................ 35

3.8 Data Gathering procedure ..................................................................................................... 35

3.9 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 36

3.10 Ethical Considerations ......................................................................................................... 36

3.11 Limitation of the study ......................................................................................................... 36

CHAPTER FOUR .............................................................................................................................. 38

PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA. ......................................... 38

4.1 Introduction .................................... :. ......................................................................................... 38

4.2 Effectiveness of the UHRC in carrying out its mandated functions·························:·· 38

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4.3 The Challenges Faced By the Uganda Human Rights Commission ............................ 43

4.4 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 46

CHAPTER FIVE ....................................................................................................... 48

FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIO............ 48

5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 48

5.2 Findings .............................................................................................................. 48

5.3 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 48

5.4 Recornmendation ......................................................................................................... 49

i REFERENCES .............................................................................................................. 51

APPENDICES ............................................................................................................ 53

APPENDIX 1: RESEARCH INSTRUMENT .................................................................................. 53

INTERVIEW GUIDE ......................................................................................................... 55