HOC/OS(XXXuI)/324c/TI
crucial policy prescriptions within the PRGF and PRSC may impair Uganda's ability to
effectively realize its anti-poverty and growth goals'. Unfortunately the new IMF and World
Bank loans to Uganda still contain the same highly controversial loan conditions that have
been raising serious concerns for over 20 years, this despite the new Poverty Reduction
Strategy process.
Administrative and legal organisation
The country is divided into 45 districts.
Constitution
The Constitution was adopted on 8 October 1995 by the interim, 284-member Constituent
Assembly, charged with debating the draft constitution that had been proposed in May 1993;
the Constituent Assembly was dissolved upon the promulgation of the constitution in October
1995.
Legal system
In 1995, the government restored the legal system to one based on English common law and
customary law. Uganda accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations.
Executive branch
The Chief of state and head of government is President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
(since seizing power 29 January 1986). The Prime Minister — Apollo Nsibambi (since 5 April
1999) assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet. He is appointed by President.
The cabinet is appointed by the president from among elected legislators.
Legislative branch
The National Assembly is unicameral. It counts 303 members - 214 directly elected by
popular vote, 81 nominated by legally established special interest groups [women 56, army
10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5], 8 ex officio members; members serve five-year terms. The
last elections were held 26 June 2001.
Judicial branch
The Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the president and approved by the legislature)
and the High Court (judges are appointed by the president) comprise the judicial branch.
The judiciary receives support from external donors in order to increase its resources,
improve its management and the training of judicial staff. Efforts to improve coordination
between the various agencies involved in the criminal justice process are also undertaken
and should be praised and continued. The Danish International Development Agency
(D.A.N.I.D.A.), supported by the Royal Danish Embassy is one of Judiciary's biggest
development partner.
Courts
The Supreme Court is established by Article 130 of the Constitution and stands out at the top
of the Judicial pyramid as a final court of Appeal in Uganda. It has no original jurisdiction
save as conferred by law. The Court is constituted by the Chief Justice and not less than six
Justices, as Parliament may by law prescribe. It is duly constituted at any sitting by five
Justices, but when hearing appeals from decisions of the Court of Appeal, a full bench of
seven justices, has to be present. The decisions of the Supreme Court form precedents
See New Strategies; Old Loan Conditions, Do the New IMF and World Bank Loans Support Countries' Poverty Reduction
Uganda National NGO Forum, Kampala and Rick Rowden,
Strategy Papers'? The Case of Uganda By Warren Nyamugasira,
RESULTS Educational Fund, Washington, DC With Assistance from Action Aid, April 2002
1