Uganda 1995 Constitution (reviewed 2017)

CHAPTER 12. DEFENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Uganda Peoples Defence Forces

208. Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces

1. There shall be armed forces to be known as the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces.
2. The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces shall be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional, disciplined, productive and subordinate to the civilian authority as established under this Constitution.
3. Members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces shall be citizens of Uganda of good character.
4. No person shall raise an armed force except in accordance with this Constitution.

209. Functions of Defence Forces

The functions of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces are-

1. to preserve and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda;
2. to co-operate with the civilian authority in emergency situations and in cases of natural disasters;
3. to foster harmony and understanding between the Defence Forces and civilians; and
4. to engage in productive activities for the development of Uganda.

210. Parliament to regulate Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces

Parliament shall make laws regulating the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, and in particular, providing for-

1. the organs and structures of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces;
2. recruitment, appointment, promotion, discipline and removal of members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and ensuring that members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces are recruited from every district of Uganda;
3. terms and conditions of service of members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces; and
4. the deployment of troops outside Uganda.

Uganda Police Force

211. Uganda Police Force

1. There shall be a police force to be known as the Uganda Police Force and such other police forces in Uganda as Parliament may by law prescribe.
2. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every police force in Uganda shall be organised and administered in such a manner and shall have such functions as Parliament may by law prescribe.
3. The Uganda Police Force shall be nationalistic, patriotic, professional, disciplined, competent and productive; and its members shall be citizens of Uganda of good character.

212. Functions of Uganda Police Force

The functions of the Uganda Police Force shall include the following-

1. to protect life and property;
2. to preserve law and order;
3. to prevent and detect crime; and
4. to co-operate with the civilian authority and other security organs established under this Constitution and with the population generally.

213. Command of Uganda Police Force

1. There shall be an Inspector-General of Police and a Deputy Inspector-General of Police.
2. The Inspector-General and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament.
3. The Uganda Police Force shall be under the command of the Inspector-General of Police who shall be assisted by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in the performance of his or her functions.
4. In the performance of the functions under clause (3) of this article, the Inspector-General of Police shall be subject to and act in accordance with the laws of Uganda; except that on matters of policy, the President may give directions to the Inspector-General.
5. The Inspector-General or the Deputy Inspector-General of Police may be removed from office by the President.

214. Parliament to regulate Uganda Police Force

Parliament shall make laws-

1. providing for the organisation and administration of the Uganda Police Force;
2. ensuring that members of the Uganda Police Force are recruited from every district of Uganda; and
3. regulating generally the Uganda Police Force.

Uganda Prisons Service

215. Uganda Prisons Service

1. There shall be a prisons service to be known as the Uganda Prisons Service.
2. The Uganda Prisons Service shall be nationalistic, patriotic, professional, disciplined, competent and productive and its members shall be citizens of Uganda of good character recruited from every district of Uganda.

216. Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Prisons

1. There shall be a Commissioner of Prisons and a Deputy Commissioner of Prisons appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament.
2. The Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner of Prisons may be removed by the President.

217. Parliament to regulate Uganda Prisons Service

Parliament shall make laws-

1. providing for the organisation, administration and functions of the Uganda Prisons Service;
2. ensuring that members of the Uganda Prisons Service are recruited from every district of Uganda; and
3. regulating generally the Uganda Prisons Service.

Intelligence Services

218. Intelligence Services

1. Parliament may by law establish intelligence services and may prescribe their composition, functions and procedures.
2. No intelligence service shall be established by the Government except by or under an Act of Parliament.

National Security Council

219. National Security Council

There shall be a National Security Council which shall consist of the President as Chairperson and such other members as Parliament may determine.

220. Functions of National Security Council

The functions of the National Security Council are-

1. to inform and advise the President on matters relating to national security; and
2. any other functions prescribed by Parliament.

General

221. Security organisations to observe human rights

It shall be the duty of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and any other armed force established in Uganda, the Uganda Police Force and any other police force, the Uganda Prisons Service, all intelligence services and the National Security Council to observe and respect human rights and freedoms in the performance of their functions.

222. Parliament to regulate possession and use of firearms and ammunition

Parliament shall make laws to regulate the possession and use of firearms and ammunition.