Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995, as amended to 2018
Customary Law
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    Cultural and customary values which are consistent with fundamental rights and freedoms, human dignity, democracy and with the Constitution may be developed and incorporated in aspects of Ugandan life.
    The State shall-
    a. promote and preserve those cultural values and practices which enhance the dignity and well-being of Ugandans;
    … (National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, XXIV)
Customary Law
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    2. If any other law or any custom is inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Constitution, the Constitution shall prevail, and that other law or custom shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. (Art. 2)
Customary Law
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    1. Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the State shall take affirmative action in favour of groups marginalised on the basis of gender, age, disability or any other reason created by history, tradition or custom, for the purpose of redressing imbalances which exist against them.
    2. Laws, cultures, customs and traditions which are against the dignity, welfare or interest of women or any other marginalised group to which clause (1) relates or which undermine their status, are prohibited by this Constitution.
    … (Art. 32)
Customary Law
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    5. Without prejudice to article 32 of this Constitution, women shall have the right to affirmative action for the purpose of redressing the imbalances created by history, tradition or custom. (Art. 33)
Customary Law
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    1. The judicial power of Uganda shall be exercised by the courts of judicature which shall consist of-

    d. such subordinate courts as Parliament may by law establish, including qadhis courts for marriage, divorce, inheritance of property and guardianship, as may be prescribed by Parliament.
    … (Art. 129)
Customary Law
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    ...
    3. Land in Uganda shall be owned in accordance with the following land tenure systems-
    a. customary;
    b. freehold;
    c. mailo; and
    d. leasehold.
    4. On the coming into force of this Constitution-
    a. all Uganda citizens owning land under customary tenure may acquire certificates of ownership in a manner prescribed by Parliament; and
    b. land under customary tenure may be converted to freehold land ownership by registration.
    … (Art. 237)
Customary Law
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    1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader may exist in any area of Uganda in accordance with the culture, customs and traditions or wishes and aspirations of the people to whom it applies.
    2. In any community, where the issue of traditional or cultural leader has not been resolved, the issue shall be resolved by the community concerned using a method prescribed by Parliament.

    4. The allegiance and privileges accorded to a traditional leader or a cultural leader by virtue of that office shall not be regarded as a discriminatory practice prohibited under article 21 of this Constitution; but any custom, practice, usage or tradition relating to a traditional leader or cultural leader which detracts from the rights of any person as guaranteed by this Constitution, shall be taken to be prohibited under that article.
    5. For the avoidance of doubt, the institution of traditional leader or cultural leader existing immediately before the coming into force of this Constitution shall be taken to exist in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
    6. For the purposes of this article, "traditional leader or cultural leader" means a king or similar traditional leader or cultural leader by whatever name called, who derives allegiance from the fact of birth or descent in accordance with the customs, traditions, usage or consent of the people led by that traditional or cultural leader. (Art. 246)
Customary Law
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    1. A regional assembly may establish standing and other committees or organs for the efficient discharge of its functions.
    2. The representatives of cultural interests shall constitute the standing committee on cultural matters.
    3. The standing committee on cultural matters shall have, as against the rest of the members of the regional assembly, exclusive jurisdiction on the cultural matters of the region.
    4. In this paragraph "cultural matters" include the following-
    a. the choice and installation of a traditional leader or cultural leader;
    b. all traditional and cultural matters relating to the traditional or cultural leader and to the institutions of the traditional leader or cultural leader as well as royal members of the traditional leadership;
    c. the choice, appointment and succession to clan and subclan leadership;
    d. clan, traditional and customary matters;
    e. matters relating to cultural funeral rites, cultural succession and customary heirs;
    f. cultural or traditional lands, sites, shrines and installations;
    g. clan lands, sites, shrines and installations; and
    h. traditional, customary and cultural practices which are consistent with this Constitution.
    5. In carrying out its responsibilities under subparagraphs (3) and (4), the standing committee on cultural matters shall consult the traditional or cultural leader of the region as well as the relevant clan leaders.
    6. A decision of the standing committee on cultural matters shall not be effective until the decision has been approved by the traditional or cultural leader of the region and, in the case of succession under subparagraph (4)(a), by the clan or cultural leader's council. (Fifth Schedule: Regional governments, Art. 3)
Customary Law
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    Where a traditional leader or cultural leader exists in a region the traditional or cultural leader shall-
    a. be the titular head of the regional government;
    b. be the titular head of the regional assembly and shall open, address and close the sessions of the regional assembly; and
    c. enjoy the benefits, privileges and roles as provided for in article 246 of this Constitution and by Parliament and the regional assembly. (Fifth Schedule: Regional governments, Art. 8)
Links to all sites last visited 20 March 2024
2
See Art. 137 "1. Any question as to the interpretation of this Constitution shall be determined by the Court of Appeal sitting as the Constitutional Court. …"
3
Chapter 4 on Protection and Promotion of Fundamental and Other Human Rights and Freedoms.
4
Chapter 4 on Protection and Promotion of Fundamental and Other Human Rights and Freedoms.
5
Chapter 4 on Protection and Promotion of Fundamental and Other Human Rights and Freedoms.
6
Chapter 4 on Protection and Promotion of Fundamental and Other Human Rights and Freedoms.