School of Law (S.Law) Collection
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ItemNegotiated justice agreements: examining the effectiveness of plea bargain in achieving access to justice under the 1995 Constitution(Makerere University, 2026)The practice of plea bargaining was adopted as one of the avenues to reducing case backlog in the criminal justice system. This practice involves the accused waiving their constitutionally guaranteed and protected rights from which the applicants gets a lesser sentence in return. This process has indeed reduced case backlog, and effectiveness in the judiciary whereas promoting restorative justice, and harmony. However, some scholars argue that the procedure is hampered with some loopholes, unequal bargaining power, irregularities, and other factors that affect effective administration of justice because it significantly affects the choice and rights of the applicants undertaking a plea bargain. This research examines the practice of plea bargain as a method of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Criminal Justice System, and assess its effectiveness in achieving justice under the 1995 constitution of the Republic of Uganda. The study finds that inefficiencies in access to justice force some accused person to undertake plea bargaining though the same process is credited for promoting conciliation and harmony due to its involvement of the victims in the process. The study finds that plea bargain process should be streamlined to ensure that restorative justice is fully encouraged, reconciliation, and social harmony is encouraged between and among parties. It also emphasizes that concerned parties should also ensure that an individuals’ rights are not traded for freedom because of deficiencies in the criminal justice system. Lastly, it recommends for an establishment of an externship program under Clinical Legal Education or as a pre-enrolment criminal justice service requirement for students after their legal practice to assist in offering pro bono services in plea bargaining camps. This mandatory externship programme generates a rotating cohort of supervised legal practitioners in criminal courts at relatively low institutional cost.
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ItemLabour law and artificial intelligence in Uganda: evaluating the legal and institutional framework for the digital age.(Makerere university, 2026)The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital Labor platforms in Uganda has created a profound regulatory gap, rendering existing statutory protections increasingly obsolete in the digital age. This paper evaluates the institutional and legal preparedness of Uganda’s regulatory framework, mainly the Employment Act of 2006 to address the concurrent deficiencies in worker protection and regulatory design. Utilizing a descriptive, analytical, and comparative methodology, this study examines primary Ugandan legal instruments alongside regional and international standards from Kenya and the United Kingdom. The research reveals that the existing legal framework remains largely grounded in traditional regulatory models, failing to account for gig workers, platform laborers, and the unique challenges of algorithmic management. Such as, opaque recruitment bias, automated termination, and unchecked workplace surveillance. This regulatory is gap is further aggravated by the fact that 95% of Uganda’s workforce operates within the informal sector, where AI-driven platforms expand without oversight. While recognizing AI’s potential for economic growth, this paper argues that urgent legal reform is required to protect vulnerable workers from arbitrary treatment and automation induced displacement. Ultimately, this study offers strategic recommendations to guide the Uganda Law Reform Commission and policymakers in reforming the country’s labour regime to meet emerging technological realities while safeguarding human dignity, equitable economic participation, and compliance with international labour standards.
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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.