Failure of Criminal Law to Deter Sexual Offences in Uganda

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

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

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

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... v

LIST OF CASES ................................................................................................................. ix

LIST OF STATUTES ............................................................................................................. x

ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................................... xi

ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ xii

CHAPTER ONE ................................................. I •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Background of the study ................................................................................................ 1

1.3 Statement of the problem .............................................................................................. 3

1.4 Purpose of the study ..................................................................................................... 4

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

1.6 Research hypothesis ..................................................................................................... 4

1.7.0 Research methodology ............................................................................................... 5

1.7 .1 Sampling method ....................................................................................................... 5

1.7.2 Stratified random sampling ......................................................................................... 5

1.7.3 Snowball sampling ..................................................................................................... 5

1.7.4 Review of literature .................................................................................................... 5

1.7 .5 Interviews ................................................................................................................. 6

1.7 .6 Questionnaires ........................................................................................................... 6

1.8.0 Literature review ........................................................................................................ 6

1.9 Scope of the study ...................................................................................................... 10

1.10 Significance of study ................................................................................................. 10

1.11 Definitions ................................................................................................................ 11

v

CHAPTER TWO ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••••.•••.•...•..••..••...••.••••.••••••••••• IIIIDDIIDDIDIIIDIIDDDIDDDDIIDDDDDDII 12

2.0 CRIMINAL LAW IN UGANDA ......................................•............•....•.•........•..•...•.... 12

2.1 Politicality ................................................................................................................... 12

2.2 Specificity ................................................................................................................... 13

2.3 Uniformity .................................................................................................................. 13

2.4 Penal Sanctions .......................................................................................................... 14

2.5 Sources of criminal law in Uganda ................................................................................ 15

2.6 Functions or purpose of criminal law ............................................................................. 15

2.7.0 General defences ..................................................................................................... 16

2. 7.1 Ignorance of the law ................................................................................................ 16

2.7.2 Intoxication ............................................................................................................. 17

2.7.3 Insanity ................................................................................................................... 17

2.7 .4 Immature age .......................................................................................................... 18

2.7.5 Motive ..................................................................................................................... 18

2.8.0 Sentencing .............................................................................................................. 19

2.8.1 Theories of punishment ............................................................................................ 19

2.8.2 Retribution theory .................................................................................................... 20

2.8.3 Preventive theory ..................................................................................................... 20

2.8.4 Reformative theory .................................................................................................. 20

2.8.5 Deterrence theory .................................................................................................... 20

CHAPTER THREE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••.••••••••••.•.••.. a •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 21

3.0 ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN UGANDA ..................................... 21

3.1 Criminal Justice Agencies ............................................................................................. 22

3.1.1 Uganda Police Force (UPF) ........................................................................................ 22

3.1.2 Judiciary .................................................................................................................. 23

3.1.3 Directorate of Public Prosecutions .............................................................................. 24

3.1.4 Uganda Prisons Service ............................................................................................ 25

3.2 Commencement of criminal justice .............................................................................. 25

vi

CHAPTER FOUR ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••..••••••.•.•••...•.•.•••••••••.••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 32

4.0 SEXUAL OFFENCES UNDER UGANDAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM .................. 32

4.1 Rape .......................................................................................................................... 33

4.2 Defilement ................................................................................................................. 35

4.3 Defilement of idiots or imbeciles ................................................................................... 37

4.4 Abduction ................................................................................................................... 38

4.5 Elopement .................................................................................................................. 39

4.6 Incest ........................................................................................................................ 40

4.7 Indecent Assault ......................................................................................................... 41

4.8 Unatural offences ........................................................................................................ 41

4.9 Prostitution ................................................................................................................ 42

4.10 Adultery ................................................................................................................... 42

CHAPTER FIVE .......................................................................................................... 44

5.0 CAUSES OF SEXUAL OFFENCES AND FAILURE OF CRIMINAL TO DETER ............ 44

5.1 Causes of sexual offences ............................................................................................ 44

5.1.1 Poverty ................................................................................................................... 44

5.1.2 Prevalence of HIV/ AIDS ........................................................................................... 46

5.1.3 Family breakage ....................................................................................................... 46

5.1.4 Cultural practices and exploitation ............................................................................. 47

5.1.5 Insecurity ................................................................................................................ 48

5.1.6 Social factors ........................................................................................................... 48

5.2 Failure of criminal law to deter sexual offences .............................................................. 49

5.2.1 Family disintegration and moral degeneration ............................................................. 51

5.2.2 Persons in authority, parents, and guardians abet sexual crimes .................................. 52

5.2.3 Procedural ignorance and court process ..................................................................... 53

5.2.4 Corruption ............................................................................................................... 55

5.2.5 Poverty ................................................................................................................... 56

5.2.6 Drug abuse and alcoholism ....................................................................................... 58

5.2.7 Inadequate labour/resources and incompetence of crime intelligence arm .................... 59