AN EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED. A CASE STUDY OF KAMPALA DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

The above research was carried out in Kampala District within the Republic of Uganda with an intention of examining the rights of accused persons in Uganda in the republic aforesaid. The research addresses the inherent and inalienable nature of human rights generally. It critically analyses rights of suspects and accused persons putting into consideration the legal initiatives that have been taken by various stakeholders in the judicial system. In this light, the research looks at the different legislations that provide for these rights. A large number of people even among them the educated don't understand and appreciate these rights, this trend of awareness among people undermines the fight against violations of rights of accused persons so it would be very difficult for citizens of Uganda to voice against violations they don't understand well. The research addresses the major causes of violations of accused and suspect's rights. The largest proportion of blame is put on corruption, political interference and military interference. This can be accounted from the nature and circumstances surrounding our institutions ranging from the investigative organs to those charged with the duty of administration of justice. The research recommends possible tenable solutions to the challenges facing the expected protection, fulfillment and promoting of rights of accused persons. Civic education, zero tolerance to corruption, impunity and bad governance and participation of every stakeholder in the justice system are some of the solutions recommended.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

DEDICATION ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• iv

LIST OF STATUTES ................................................................................... v

LIST OF INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS ................................................ v

LIST OF CASES ....•..•....•.•••......••••.....••.•....••... ~ ......•........••......•••••............. vi

LIST OF ACRONYMS ..•..........••........•....••..•.....••••......••••......•••.......•••......• vii

ABSTRACT ......•............••......•.......•.•.......................•.•.............••............. leiii

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

BACKGROUND STUDY ••..........•......••••.......••••......•........................ 1

1.1 Introduction .....•..••..............•••......•.••.................•.•........••........•........ 1

1.2 DEFINITION •......••.••....••.•••.....••..•........•...••...•.........••.........•.....•.••...• 2

1.3 Background to the Study ................................................................. 3

1.4 Statement of the Problem .......••.....•....•...••...•...••....••...•............••..... 5

1.5 Purpose of the Study •....••••...............••.•................•...•.........•••.......... 6

1.6 Objectives of the ................••....••.•.......•.•......•.•••.....•........•............... 6

1.8 Hypothesis of the study .••.••...••........•..... ; ..........•••....•..••......••••.•..••.. 7

1.9 Significance of the study •.•........•..•..•.....•....•...••......•.•......•............... 7

1.10 The Geographical scope of the study ........................................... 7

1.11 METHODOLOGY ..••.•.•....••....•.................•......•.••......•.•......•............. 7

1.12 Introduction .....•.....•..•••....•.••.....••.•......•........•....••......•••......•••........ 7

1.13 Targeted Population ......•••.....•........•.............•.•.....•••.......••............. 8

1.14 Research Approach ............................................................................ 8

1.15 Sample ..•.........•..••....••..........••........•......•.•....•.••............•................ 8

1.16 Data Collection Techniques ••..••..•••...•........••.....••.......••................•• 8 

1.16.1 Interviews .••..................••..............•...........•....................•.•......... 9

1.16.2 Questionnaires .•.........•••.......•...•••..•.....•....•.....••......................•.... 9

1.16.3 Observation .•..•...•.••.•..•....••...•••......•.......•.....••...........•..•..•.•••....... 9

1.17 Ethical Considerations .........••.....•.••.......••.•.......•.•....................•.... 9

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

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

2.1 Right to liberty and security .................................................................................. 14

2.2 Right to be informed promptly of the offence charged ................................. 16

2.3 Right to humane treatment: .................................................................................. 16

2.4 The right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty ............................... 18

2.5 Right to a fair hearing ............................................................................................. 18

2.5.1 Right to counsel. .................................................................................................... 20

2.5.2 Right to adequate time and facilities for the preparation of a defence...................................................... 21

2.5.3 The right to an interpreter. ................................................................................ 22

2.5.4 Right to trial without undue delay ..... : ............................................................ 22

2.5.5 The right to access court records and prosecution exhibits .................. 22

2.5.6 The Right to be present at the Hearing .......................................................... 23

2.6 Right to an effective remedy .................................................................................. 23

2. 7 Right of civilians not to be tried by military courts: ...................................... 24

2.8 Right to be brought promptly before a judicial officer: ................................. 24

2. 9 The Right to Habeas Corpus ................................................................................. 25

2.10 Right to be detained in a place recognized by law: ..................................... 25

2.11 The right to apply for bail .................................................................................... 26

2.12 The right not to be compelled to testify against himself or herself... ..... 27

2.13 The right to cross-examine adverse witnesses ............................................. 27 

2.14 The right to appeal ................................................................................................. 28

2.15 Right to seek pardon ............................................................................................. 29

CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................. 30

Major Causes of Violations of Rights of Accused Persons ..................... 30

3.1 introduction ................................................................................................................ 30

3.2 Corruption ................................................................................................................... 30

3.3 Political Interference ................................................................................................ 34

3.4 Military Interference ................................................................................................. 35

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

Research Findings and Data Analysis .................................................. 38

4.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 38

4.1 Demographic Features ............................................................................................ 38

4.1. I Respondents and Response Rate ..................................................................... 38

4.1.2 Respondent's age ................................................................................................... 39

4.1 .3The level of education of the respondents ..................................................... 39

4.1.4 Respondents' awareness of the rights of suspects and accused persons ................................................................ 40

4.1.6 Respondents' (only those who know about the rights of suspects and accused persons) ...................................................... 40

4.1. 7 Respondents' Views On the level of human rights adherence as far as suspects and accused persons are concerned ................................ 41 

CHAPTER FIVE ..................................................................................... 43

Summary of the Major Findings, Recommendations and Conclusion ... 43

5.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................... .43

5.1 Summary .................................................................................................................... .43

5.2 Recommendations .................................................................................................... 44

5.3 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. .45

BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................... ~ .............................................. 46

TEXTBOOKS ...................................................................................................................... 46

ARTICLES AND JOURNALS ...................................................................................... .47

APPENDICIES ............................................. ~ ........................................ 48

APPENDIX A ....................................................................................................................... 48

APPENDIX B ....................................................................................................................... SO

APPENDIX C ....................................................................................................................... Sl