The Critical Analysis of the Doctrine of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances in Uganda

ABSTRACT Separation of powers is the doctrine and practice of dividing powers of Government among different branches to guard against abuse of authority. Among the objectives that resulted into the-Tfromulgation of the 1995 constitution were the need to recognize and demarcate division of responsibility among the state organs of Executive, the Legislature and the judicially and create viable checks and balances between them. Therefore, the research exan1ines the provisions regarding separation of powers and checks and balances and their relevance to the performance or functioning of the organs of government with regard to present conditions in Uganda. Particularly, the researcher discusses the operation of the doctrine of separation of powers during the political transition to multiparty, its observance and relevance under multiparty democracy and the challenges thereof. The research also gives a general historical account of the doctrine and its background in Uganda. In the -final analysis, the researcher advances various recommendations that would enable the observance of the doctrine in order to ensure good governance.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................. v

STATUTES - ............................................................................................................................. vi

CASES ................................................................................................................................... vii

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. X

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

1.0. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... !

1.1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ......................................................................... !

1.2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM ........................................................................ 2

1.3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY .............................................................................. 3

1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS ....................................................................................... 3

1.5. ,..LUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY ......................................................................... 4

1.6. METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................... 4

1.7. CHAPTERISATION ................................................................................................. 4

1.8. SCOPE OF THE STUDY ......................................................................................... 5

1.9. LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 5

CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................... 10

2.0. THE GENERAL HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE DOCTRINE OF

SEPARATION OF POWERS ............................................................................................ IO

2.1 THE BACKGROUND OF THE DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION OF POWERS IN

UGANDA. .......................................................................................................................... II

2.1.1 The - Colonial Era ....................................................................................................... 11

2.1.2. THE POST INDEPENDENCE ERA 1967-95 .................................................... 15

viii

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CHAPTER THREE ............................................................................................................... 19

3.0. THE OPERATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION OF POWERS 1995

TO THE PRESENT ........................................................................................................... 19

3.1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 19

3.2. HIGHLIGHT OF THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO SEPARATION OF

POWERS UNDER THE 1995 CONSTITUTION ............................................................. 19

3.3. A CRITIQUE OF THE ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT UNDER THE 1995

CONSTITUTION ............................................................................................................... 23

3.4. ---THE CHALLENGES OF POWER DURING THE POLITICAL TRANSITION. 25

3.5. SEPARATION OF POWERS. CHECKS AND BALANCES UNDER THE

MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY /SYSTEM ....................................................................... 28

CHAPTER FOUR .................................................................................................................. 33

4.0. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................... 33

4.1. THE FINDINGS FROM THE QUESTIONNAIRES ............................................. 33

4.2. CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................... 33

4.3. RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................ 36

4.3.1. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THEEXECUTIVE .............................................. 37

4.3.2:..,... RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE JUDICIARY ............................................... 37

4.3.3. RECOMMENDATIONS TO TI-lE LEGISLATURE ......................................... 39

4.3.4. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PRESS ......................................................... 39

REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 41

APPENDIX: INTERVIEW GUIDE ...................................................................................... 43