School of Law (S.Law) Collection
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ItemCrowns and contracts: evaluating labour rights and legal protections within Uganda’s beauty pageant sector(Makerere University, 2025)Beauty pageants are a wide spread phenomena in Uganda. This research paper examines the ways in which the current legal regime in Uganda protects or fails to protect the economic rights of young female contestants of competitive beauty pageants. By employing a legaldoctrinal analysis and qualitative data collected through interviews with participants in the pageants, the research looks into how the law responds to the experiences and challenges faced by these participants. It further examines the legal recognition of their labour, the nature of contractual arrangements, and the presence or absence of legal protections against exploitation and sexual harassment. The research's findings show that there are gaps within the current legal framework which does not adequately address the unique working conditions within the pageantry industry. Many pageant participants operate in a legal grey area since they are not recognized as employees and this results into exclusion of such participants from labour protections under the law. In addition, the absence of proper channels for these contestants to report grievances makes them susceptible to infringement of their labour rights. This research proposes a redefinition of beauty pageant participation in the context of labour law. It suggests various legal and policy reforms aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of pageant participants including regulatory oversight and accessible mechanisms for reporting grievances. By highlighting these concerns, this work contributes to the promotion of gender equality. decent work and protection of vulnerable workers in Uganda's informal sector. Ultimately, this study calls for an ethical and rights-based model of governing beauty pageants in Uganda.
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ItemA double-edged sword? Implications of EFRIS as a tool for VAT compliance among small and medium enterprises(Makerere University, 2025)This study explores the effects of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) in Uganda on Value-Added Tax (VAT) compliance among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); with a specific focus on the implications of EFRIS compliance for consumer behaviour. Introduced to enhance transparency and ease VAT compliance, EFRIS has some benefits like improved record keeping for businesses and real-time VAT reporting. However, the findings indicate that the system still grapples with issues like the increase in operational and compliance costs, which leads to an increase in the price of consumption and, consequently, consumer pushback. The study highlights the circular effect wherein compliance burdens on traders spread to consumers and ultimately discourage formalisation and compliance. Comparative studies with the Tanzanian, Ethiopian and Rwandan regimes indicate the importance of taxpayer sensitization, gradual implementation and technological infrastructure readiness by the government. The paper finally gives recommendations for policy reforms including better training, flexible enforcement approaches and infrastructure support by the government to ensure EFRIS achieves its intended purpose without straining consumers and jeopardizing SME growth.
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ItemThe alignment of Uganda’s legal framework with the world health organization’s strategies for ending preventable maternal mortality(Makerere University, 2025)Maternal mortality is major health challenge in Uganda. This paper assesses how Uganda’s legal framework aligns with the World Health Organization’s Strategies for Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM). It examines constitutional provisions, key laws and policies. The analysis focuses on core EPMM areas: legal recognition of health rights, elimination of discrimination, universal health coverage, health system strengthening, accountability, and financing. Findings show that while Uganda has made progress particularly through rights-based policies and maternal health surveillance gaps remain in enforcement, access to services, funding, and addressing inequalities. Drawing comparisons from countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nepal, the paper highlights areas for improvement. It recommends stronger legal reforms, better resource allocation, and enhanced accountability to meet EPMM goals and reduce preventable maternal deaths.
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ItemThe potential impact of the proposal to criminalise buyers and sellers of sex on the human rights of female sex workers in Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)The Sexual Offences Bill, 2024 proposes to criminalise not only the seller of sex, but also the buyer. This study explores the potential impact of this proposed criminalisation on the human rights of FSWs in Uganda. Drawing on legal analysis, interviews, and a comparative approach, the research examines how this punitive law if passed into law, could affect the safety, health, and dignity of women engaged in sex work. While framed as efforts to curb exploitation and trafficking, criminalisation of sex work may inadvertently increase stigma, limit access to key essential services, and increase vulnerability to violence. This paper highlights the tensions that exist within criminalisation through feminist and human rights-based lenses. Ultimately, the study calls for a human rights-based approach that centres the voices and lived experiences of FSWs in shaping policy and legal reform in Uganda.
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ItemNon-violent resistance and the law: assessing the efficacy of legal and non-violent methods in Uganda’s struggle for liberation(Makerere University, 2025)This research explores the complex interplay between non-violent resistance and the law, with a specific focus on implications for Uganda's current legal landscape. The study will focus on Public Interest Litigation and Freedom of assembly as key methods of non-violent resistance, while also considering the limitations of such a legal approach within the specific Ugandan context, given the country’s history of authoritarianism and restrictions on political space. The research also examines how the dynamics of state power influence both the creation and enforcement of law, affecting its efficacy in combating state oppression. The study also explores, a comparative analysis of Kenya whose political and legal landscape that is not dissimilar from Uganda’s, addressing the questions of applicability to the domestic context as well as the legacy of the methods employed in the post-liberation regime. Secondly, it calls into question the effectiveness of the legal framework where restrictive laws are enacted and enforced to facilitate state oppression. By examining legal strategies, judicial decisions, and the role of constitutional and human rights frameworks in this context, the study seeks to identify insights relevant to Uganda’s legal and socio-political landscape. The study concludes that while non-violent resistance can be effective in advancing civil rights, its success in Uganda depends on a nuanced understanding of the country’s legal and sociopolitical context.