Faruk Kirunda: Bringing the Law Closer to the People of Uganda

The legislation reached the president’s desk after he initially returned the bills to Parliament over concerns regarding potential unfair competition, tax avoidance, and negative economic impacts.

Legislative Process and Presidential Review in Uganda

The two tax measures underwent parliamentary reconsideration before securing presidential assent under constitutional powers vested in the head of state. Alhaji Faruk Kirunda, Special Presidential Assistant-Press & Mobilisation/Deputy Press Secretary-State House, noted in published commentary that every operational law in Uganda carries a presidential seal reflecting executive authority.

Following presidential assent, the laws move to the gazettement stage before becoming fully operational. Parliament enacted the statutes after addressing the executive’s specific objections to clauses that could have disrupted market competition and compliance.

Public Legal Awareness and Compliance Challenges

Despite the formal enactment of statutes, a significant portion of the Ugandan population remains uninformed about legal provisions until facing judicial proceedings. The traditional legal maxim that ignorance of the law is no defense fails to address socio-economic realities where citizens often navigate regulations without adequate exposure.

Routine activities such as building without approved plans, manufacturing without required licensing, and navigating negligence laws expose citizens to legal vulnerabilities. Public servants frequently face challenges understanding specific offenses, such as causing financial loss under Section 20 of the Anti-Corruption Act, while younger generations encounter information gaps regarding digital platform usage and state regulations.

Institutional Role in Legal Sensitization

Annual police crime reports indicate that limited awareness of statutory liabilities contributes to the national crime burden. The Justice, Law and Order Sector, alongside Parliament, the Judiciary, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, and the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation, shares responsibility for bridging the gap between statute books and citizens.

Proposed remedies to reduce legal blindness include translating legislation into local dialects and breaking down complex statutes into simplified terms. Such measures aim to prevent unwitting violations, reduce mob justice—which the legal system prosecutes as murder or manslaughter—and foster broader constitutionalism across the country.