Efficacy of Laws on Consumer Protection Under Microfinance Business in Uganda

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Declaration ............................................................................................................... ii

Approval ................................................................................................................. 111

Dedication ............................................................................................................... iv

Acknowledgement .................................................................................................... v

List of legislations .................................................................................................... ix

Abstract ................................................................................................................... x

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

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY ................................................................................ 1

1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................ l

1.1 Background of the study ...................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the problem .................................................................................... 4

1.3 Purpose of the study ........................................................................................... 4

l .4 Objective of the study ......................................................................................... 5

l.5 Research questions ............................................................................................. 5

l .6 Scope of the study .............................................................................................. 5

l.6.1 Geographical Scope .......................................................................................... 5

l.6.2 Content Scope ................................................................................................. 5

.. 6.3 Time Scope ...................................................................................................... 6

.. 7 Significance of the study ...................................................................................... 6

.. 8 Methodology of the study .................................................................................... 6

.. 9 Literature review ................................................................................................. 6

:HAPTER TWO ....................................................................................................... 17

'RINCIPLES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW ..................... 17

vi

2.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 17

2.1 Government Policies .......................................................................................... 17

2.1.1 Economic Liberalization .................................................................................. 17

2.1.2 Privatization ................................................................................................... 17

2.1.3 Land Policy and Land Use Policy ...................................................................... 18

2.2 International Principles ...................................................................................... 18

2.2.1 World Trade Organization also referred to as "WTO" ........................................ 21

2.2.2 The Federal Trade Commission also known as "FTC" ........................................ 22

Z.3 Consumer Protection Policy and the Law ............................................................ 22

:HAPTER THREE .................................................................................................... 25

:ONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION IN UGANDA ............................................... 25

3. 0 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 25

3.1 Contract Act of 2010 of Uganda ......................................................................... 25

3.2 Sale of Goods Act, Cap 82 ................................................................................. 26

l.3 The Weights and Measures Act, Cap 103 ............................................................ 27

!.4 The Uganda National Bureau of Standards Act, Cap 327 ...................................... 27

!.5 National Drug Policy and Authority Act, Cap 206 ................................................. 28

L6 Control of Drug Supply ...................................................................................... 28

L7 Food and Drugs Act .......................................................................................... 29

i.8 The Public Health Act ........................................................................................ 30

i.9 The Judiciary .................................................................................................... 30

:HAPTER FOUR ...................................................................................................... 31

MPACT FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW IN UGANDA. 31

-.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 31

vii

4.1 Competitive economy ........................................................................................ 31

4.2 Opening up of the economy ............................................................................... 32

4.3 Freedom and abuse .......................................................................................... 32

4.4 Comprehensive and coherent reform .................................................................. 33

CHAPTER FIVE ....................................................................................................... 34

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................. 34

5.1 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 34

5.2 Recommendations ............................................................................................. 34

References ............................................................................................................. 36

Abstract

This research is investigates the existence of a legal framework on consumer protection in Uganda. Despite rampant abuses of the rights of the consumer in Uganda, there is nowhere to run for redress. This is because despite concerted efforts to have a law in place to protect Ugandan consumers in the last ten years, the government is yet to give it the attention it deserves probably because of its investor-centric approach to commercial issues. The fate of consumers in Uganda is similar to those in many countries if a survey released on World Consumer Rights Day (March 15, 2013) is to be believed. A survey of consumer protection legislation conducted by Consumers International (CI) in 58 countries has revealed a concerning lack of government attention with regard to consumer rights. According to Consumers International, consumers rights include; the right to derive satisfaction from the product consumed, the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, and the right to be heard and to seek redress (if aggrieved) as well as the right to be educated about a product before consumption. But these rights are often trampled upon, partly because if a lack of policy and the appropriate legal framework. This research therefore investigated on the various provisions related to consumer protection and still finds that :he government needs to create proper consumer protection legislation.