Legal Framework on the Protection Against Marine Accidents in Uganda

ABSTRACT 

The usefulness of marine transport subsector need no emphasis because it is obvious that Uganda has got about 17% of her surface area comprising water bodies and swamps and rich history of water transport because some of the water bodies are navigable, provtding water transport means which is also in tum relatively cheaper in comparison to other means of transport available in Uganda. In disregard of this preceding fact, the marine transport subsector has numerous challenges one of which is the rampant marine accidents experienced year in year out The general purpose of the study was to investigate legal framework on the protection against marine accidents in Uganda. At the national, regional, continental and international levels marine transport is enriched with legal framework so much so that it would be right to say marine accidents should by now have been history but not a current affair as it is now. This research has found that the national marine transport legislation is mostly so weak to be able to curb the maritime transport tragedies in Uganda, for example, the Inland Water Transport (Control) Act of 1939 which is the main Law on inland water transport in Uganda only provides for issuance of licenses by the Transport Licensing Board. There is no provision for water transport safety guidelines as well as implementation mechanisms, our Statute books we have the 2dh century Maritime Transport Law - such an out dated piece of Legislation. Marine Insurance Act of 2002 only deals with issues of insurance policy cover. There is no updated specific Law to deal with the modem water transport system with all its attendant challenges. There are no updated specific duties and obligations, defined offences and penalties for water transport offences and penalties for water transport subsector. Away from the said existing legal framework there are still many problems which Uganda's marine transport subsector grapples with including; poor mechanical conditions of the vessels that cannot sustain strong winds, lack of and I or failure to wear life jackets by passengers and the vessel crews, overloading, Jack of navigation aids, poor weather conditions, drunkenness of the crew, negligence and recklessness and little or no awareness of the life skills while aboard, to mention but a few, A Jot more is still desired to be done to support and regulate safety measures in this subsector.

Table of Contents

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

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

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

ACKNOWLEDGEMNTS ...................................................................... ............................................ iv

ACRONYMS ..................................................................................................................................... v

ABSTRACT .......................................... ......................................................................................... xiii

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

1.0 INTORDUCTION ............................................ ......................................................................... 1

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ............................................................................................ 1

1.1.1 Uganda Marine Transport and the International Law ................................................... 6

1.1.2 Uganda Maritime Transport and the Regional International Law ............................... 8

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM .............................................. ........................................... 13

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY ................................................... ........................................... 13

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS .................. ......................................... ........................................... 14

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................................ 14

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY .......................................................................................... 14

1.7 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ........... .................................................................................... 15

1.8 LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................. ........................ 15

CHAPTER TWO .... ............................................................................................. .. ......................... 26

AN ANLYSIS OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON MARITIME TRANSPORT IN UGANDA. .. ... 26

2.0. Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 26

2.1.0. Water Transport Policies ................................................................................ .. ....... .... .... 27

2.1.1. A Critical Analysis on the Maritime Transport Legislation in Uganda ...................... 29

2.1.2. The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995 (as amended) ........................... 30

2.1.3. The Lake Victoria Transport Act, (Uganda), 2007 ........................... ........................... 31

2.1.4. The Inland Water Transport (Control) Act, Cap. 356 (Uganda) 2000 ..................... 32

2.1.5. The Rivers Act, Cap. 357 (Uganda) 2000 ...... .. ..................................... ....................... 33

2.1.6. The Penal Code Act, Cap. 120 (Uganda) 2000 (as amended) .................................. 33

2.1.7. The Marine Insurance Act, (Uganda) 2002 ................................................................. 36

2.1.8. The Ferries Act, Cap. 355 (Uganda) 2000 ................................................................... 37

2.1.9. The Transport and Road Safety Act, Cap. 316 (Uganda) 2000 (as amended by Act No. 7 of 2018) ...................................................... 37

2.1.10. The Anti Corruption Act, (Uganda) 2009 ................................................................... 38

2.1.11. The Vessels Registration Act, Cap. 362 (Uganda) 2000 1904 ................................ 38

2.1.12. The Water Act, Cap. 152 (Uganda) 2000 ................................................ .................. 38

2.2. Regional Policy and Legislation ......................................................................................... 39

2.2.0. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 39

2.2.1. Lake Victoria Transport (Maritime Safety) Regulations, 2010 ................................. .40

2.3. Continental Policy and Legislation .................................................................................... 41

2.3.1. African Union Maritime Transport Charter ................................................................... 41

2.3.3. African Union Agreements on Cooperation in Transport Auxiliaries ...... .................. 43

2.4. International Maritime Safety Law .................................................................................. .43

2.4.1. The International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 ......... .......................................... 44

2.4.2. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 and its Protocol, 1978 ..................................................... 45

2.4.3. International Safety Management Code ....................................................................... 45

2.4.4. Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 ......................................................... 46

2.4.5. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers, 1978 .......................................... 47

2.4.6. International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and Safety on Island Waterways of Africa .......................................................... 48

2.4.7. International Maritime Organisation Model Safety Regulations for Inland Waterways Vessels and Non-Convention Craft, Including Fishing Vessels, Operating In Africa, January 2002 ......................................... .. ... ......... 49

2.5. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 50

CHAPTER THREE ................................................. .. ............................... , ...................................... 52

3.0. Introduction ................................................................................................................. ......... 52

3.1. Challenges Faced by Institutions Monitoring Maritime Transport in Uganda ............ 52

3.2. Conclusion .......................................... 58

CHAPTER FOUR ....................................................... 59

4.0. Introduction ............................................................ 59

4.1. Causes of Marine Accidents in Uganda ................................... 0 ........................................ 59

4.2. Conclusion ........................................ 61

CHAPTER FIVE....................................................62

5.0 Introduction................................................................62

5.1 Research Findings ........................................................62

5.3 Recommendations.................................................................... 63

5.2 Conclusion ............................................................................... 67

REFERENCES 000 .... ...............................................................68