Parliament has the power to change the constitution, but only through a special and difficult process. Any amendment must be passed by at least two-thirds of all Members of Parliament. For certain important parts of the constitution, such as fundamental rights or the system of government, a public referendum is also required before the change can take effect. This means your voice can matter if a major change is proposed, because you may be asked to vote in a referendum. The government cannot simply alter the constitution by a normal majority vote; it must follow these strict rules to protect everyone's rights.

A bill for an Act of Parliament to amend any provision of the Constitution, other than those referred to in Articles <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="260">260</span> and <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="261">261</span> of this Constitution, shall not be taken as passed unless it is supported at the second and third readings by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all members of Parliament.

Article 262 allows Parliament to amend non-protected constitutional provisions with a two-thirds majority vote.

Article 262: How Parliament Changes Constitution

<div style='font-weight:600; margin-bottom:12px; padding-bottom:6px'> Amendments Requiring a Referendum</div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>1</strong> A bill for an Act of Parliament seeking to amend any of the provisions specified in clause (2) of this Article shall not be taken as passed unless—<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(a)</strong> it is supported at the second and third readings in Parliament by not less than two-thirds of all members of Parliament; and</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(b)</strong> it has been referred to a decision of the people and approved by them in a referendum.</div></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>2</strong> The provisions referred to in clause (1) of this Article are—<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(a)</strong> this Article;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(b)</strong> Chapter One—Articles 1 and 2;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(c)</strong> Chapter Four—Article 44;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(d)</strong> Chapter Five—Articles 69, 74 and 75;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(e)</strong> Chapter Six—Article 79(2);</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(f)</strong> Chapter Seven—Article 105(1);</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(g)</strong> Chapter Eight—Article 128(1); and</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(h)</strong> Chapter Sixteen.</div></div></div>

Article 260

<div style='font-weight:600; margin-bottom:12px; padding-bottom:6px'>Amendments requiring approval by district councils</div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>1</strong> A bill for an Act of Parliament seeking to amend any of the provisions specified in clause (2) of this Article shall not be taken as passed unless—<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(a)</strong> it is supported at the second and third readings in Parliament by not less than two-thirds of all members of Parliament; and</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(b)</strong> it has been ratified by at least two-thirds of the members of the district council in each of at least two-thirds of all the districts of Uganda.</div></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>2</strong> The provisions referred to in clause (1) of this Article are—<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(a)</strong> this Article;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(b)</strong> Chapter Two—Article 5(2);</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(c)</strong> Chapter Nine—Article 152;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(d)</strong> Chapter Eleven—Articles 176(1), 178, 189 and 197.</div></div></div>

Article 262: How Parliament Changes Constitution

262.Amendments by Parliament

Summary