The legal framework and policies that govern the armed forces of Uganda are primarily established by the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Act, which is the main legislation that governs the organization, administration, and operations of the UPDF. Additionally, the UPDF is governed by various regulations, directives, and standing orders that provide more detailed guidance on specific aspects of the military's operations and activities, as shared below; -
Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. Chapter 12, Articles 208-210
Article 208(2) provides: "The Uganda People's Defence Forces shall be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional, disciplined, productive and subordinate to the civilian authority as established under this Constitution.
The Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act - 2000
An Act to make provision for acquisition of citizenship of Uganda pursuant to the Constitution, to provide for the compulsory registration of all Ugandans and the issue of national identification numbers and the issue of national identity cards to citizens of Uganda; to regulate the issue of passports to citizens of Uganda, to provide for the regulation and control of aliens in Uganda; to repeal the Uganda Citizenship Act, the Immigration Act, the Passports Act and the Aliens (Registration and Control) Act; and to provide for other matters incidental or connected with the foregoing.
The Amnesty Act - 2000
An Act to provide for an amnesty for Ugandans involved in acts of a warlike nature in various parts of the country and for other connected purposes.
The Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces Act - 2005
An Act to provide for the establishment and regulation of the army, which shall be a peoples’ force, and for other matters connected therewith.
Police Act - 2006
An Act to amend the Police Act, Cap 303, to give effect to articles211, 212, 213 and 214 of the Constitution; to provide for the integration of the local administration police force into the Uganda Police Force; the appointment and control of civilian staff in the Uganda Police Force; the amendment of the membership of the police council; to provide for powers of investigation of police officers and for other related matters.
Prisons Act - 2006
The Prisons Act, 2006 provides for the mandate and functions of a Uganda Prisons Service composed of Central and former Local Government Prisons and spells out the duties of the UPS as to protect, promote and fulfil the rights of those incarcerated.
Prevention of Trafficking Persons Act - 2009
An Act to provide for the prohibition of trafficking in persons, creation of offences, prosecution and punishment of offenders, prevention of the vice of trafficking in persons, protection of victims of trafficking in persons, and other related matters.
The Registration of Persons Act - 2015
An Act to harmonise and consolidate the law on registration of persons; to provide for registration of individuals; to establish a national identification register; to establish a national registration and identification authority; to provide for the issue of national identification cards and aliens identification cards and for related matters.
The firearms Amendment Act - 2016
An Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to the regulation, control, and manufacture, import, export, sale, repair, storage and possession of firearms and ammunition and for other matters connected therewith.
National Organisations Act - 2016
An act to repeal and replace the Non-Governmental Organisations Act Cap. 113; to provide a conducive and an enabling environment for the Government Organisations sector; to strengthen and promote the capacity of Government Organisations and their mutual partnership with Government; to make provision for the corporate status of the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations and provide for its capacity to register, regulate, coordinate and monitor Non-Governmental Organisations activities.