A CRITIQUE OF THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAME WORK FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION IN UGANDA

Table of Contents

l)LCLARATION ............................................................................................................................ ii

APPROVAL .................................................................................................................................. iii

DEDICATED TO .......................................................................................................................... iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........ . ...\·

 ................................................................................................................................. \'I

INTERVIEW GUIDE ...................................................................................................................... x

TABLE OF STATUTES ................................................................................................................. x

CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................ l

INTRODUCCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1

I. Background of the Study ........................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement or the problem ........................................................................................................... 3

I  Purpose of the study .................................................................................................................. .4

I  Scope or the study ...................................................................................................................... --1

1.5 Objectives of the study ............................................................................................................. .4

1.6 Significance of the study ........................................................................................................... 5

1.7 Literature review ........................................................................................................................ 5

1.8 Methodology .................................................................................... . ................... 10

I.') Hypothesis ............................................................................................................................... 10

I. I I) Chapterisation ........................................................................................................................ 11

CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................................... 13

TIIE HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION

....................................................................................................................................................... 13

2.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 13

Emergence of the concept. ....................................................................................................... 14

The 12th and 13th centuries (The Feudal Era) ....................................................................... I 4

2.1.2 The 14th, 5th and 16th centuries (merchant capitalism) .............. .. .. ............ I (i

17th, 18th and 19th centuries...................... .. 18

2.2 Creations of consumer class and the evolution of consumer laws in Uganda ....................... 20

2.3 The 20th, 21st Century and today .............................................................................................. 23

2.4 The need for the protection of a consumer .............................................................................. 24

2 ~ The United Nations guidelines for consumer protection 1985 ................................................ 25

2.6 The model for consumer protection in Africa l 995 .......................................................... 26

2. 7 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 26

CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................................. 28

AN ANALYSIS OF THE LAWS RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION IN UGANDA ...................................................................................................................................... 28

3.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 28

3.2 Contracts Act 2010 and sale of goods Act CAP 82 ................................................................. 28

.1.:2. The weights and measures Act CAP 103 ............................................................................... 30

'··' h1od and drugs Act. CAP 278 ................................................................................................. 34

3.4 Exemption clauses and freedom to contract. ........................................................................... 35

_i,5 Pri,,it)· ol'contrnct .................................................................................................................... 39

3.6 Remedies .................................................................................................................................. 40

3.6.1 Criminal Remedies ............................................................................................................. ..40

3.6.2 Civil remedies ...................................................................................................................... .40

3.6.2.1 contract based remedies .................................................................................................... .41

3.6.2.2 Compensation ................................................................................................................... .4 I

3.Cd Tort based remedies ..................................................................... .

3.6.3.1 Negligence ........................................................................................................................ .42

3 6.3.2 Fraudulent misrepresentation. (Tort of deceit or fraud) ................................................... .45

3. 7 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. .45

CHAPTER FOUR ...................................................................................................................... .46

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION ............................ .46

4.0 lntroduction .............................................................................................................................. 46

4.1 Uganda National Bureau of Standards ................................................................................... .46

Uganda Revenue Authority ................................................................................................... .48

-L4 Government Chemist and analytical laboratory ..................................................................... .49

4.5 The National Drug Authority (AP 206) ................................................................................... 50

-L6 Public health department in the Kampala Capital City ........................................................... 52

4.8 Uganda Consumers Protection Association (UCPA) .............................................................. 54

-t.9 MediJ ....................................................................................................................................... 55

4. Conclusions ............................................................................................................................ 56

CHAPTER FIVE ......................................................................................................................... 56

SUMMARY OF THE MAIN FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

········· ............................................................................................................................................ 57

SUMMARY of THE MAIN FINDINGS .............................................................................. 57

5. RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................................... 58

5. 1.1 The need for a new consumer law ........................................................................................ 58

5.1.2 Reforms of the law ................................................................................... . . .. 59

5. l .2. l Doctrine or pri, ity ............................................................................................................. 59

5.1.2.2 Exemption/ exclusion clauses ............................................................................................ 59

5.1.3 Dispute settlement ................................................................................................................ 59

5.1.4 Remedies ............................................................................................................................... 60

5.1 A. I l111prison111en1. .............. (,()

'i.1.5 Inspectorates ......................................................................................................................... 60

'i.1.6 Role of government effort/policy ......................................................................................... 60

5.2 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 61

BIBLIOGRAPHY .......................................................................................................................... 6'.2

ARTICLES .................................................................................................................................... 63

APPENDIX i ................................................................................................................................ 64

APPENDIX 13 ................................................................................................................................ 65