There shall be armed forces to be known as the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces.

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces shall be non-partisan, national in character, patriotic, professional, disciplined, productive and subordinate to the civilian authority as established under this Constitution.

Members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces shall be citizens of Uganda of good character.

No person shall raise an armed force except in accordance with this Constitution.

Article 208 defines the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces, including their non-partisan, professional nature and requirement for members to be citizens of good character.

to preserve and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Uganda;

to cooperate with the civilian authority in emergency situations and in cases of natural disasters;

to foster harmony and understanding between the defence forces and civilians; and

to engage in productive activities for the development of Uganda.

The functions of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces are—

Article 209 outlines the main roles of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces, including defence, cooperation with authorities, and development activities.

the organs and structures of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces;

recruitment, appointment, promotion, discipline and removal of members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and ensuring that members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces are recruited from every district of Uganda;

terms and conditions of service of members of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces; and

Parliament shall make laws regulating the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and, in particular, providing for—

Article 210 authorizes Parliament to make laws that regulate the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces, covering structure, recruitment, terms, and deployments.

Parliament to Regulate the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces

There shall be a police force to be known as the Uganda Police Force and such other police forces in Uganda as Parliament may by law prescribe.

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every police force in Uganda shall be organised and administered in such a manner and shall have such functions as Parliament may by law prescribe.

The Uganda Police Force shall be nationalistic, patriotic, professional, disciplined, competent and productive; and its members shall be citizens of Uganda of good character.

Article 211 defines the Uganda Police Force, outlining its national nature, professionalism, and requirement for good character among its members.

to cooperate with the civilian authority and other security organs established under this Constitution and with the population generally.

The functions of the Uganda Police Force shall include the following—

Article 212 lists the functions of the Uganda Police Force, which include protecting life, maintaining law and order, and preventing crime.

There shall be an Inspector General of Police and a Deputy Inspector General of Police.

The Inspector General and the Deputy Inspector General of Police shall be appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament.

The Uganda Police Force shall be under the command of the Inspector General of Police who shall be assisted by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in the performance of his or her functions.

In the performance of the functions under <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="213:3">clause (3)</span> of this Article, the Inspector General of Police shall be subject to and act in accordance with the laws of Uganda; except that on matters of policy, the President may give directions to the Inspector General of Police.

The Inspector General or the Deputy Inspector General of Police may be removed from office by the President.

 Article 213 establishes the command structure of the Uganda Police Force, detailing the roles and powers of the Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General.

Article 213 Clause 3

providing for the organisation and administration of the Uganda Police Force;

ensuring that members of the Uganda Police Force are recruited from every district of Uganda; and

regulating generally the Uganda Police Force.

Article 214 allows Parliament to regulate the Uganda Police Force, including its structure, recruitment, and general governance.

Parliament to regulate the Uganda Police Force

There shall be a prisons service to be known as the Uganda Prisons Service.

The Uganda Prisons Service shall be nationalistic, patriotic, professional, disciplined, competent and productive; and its members shall be citizens of Uganda of good character recruited from every district of Uganda.

Article 215 establishes the Uganda Prisons Service, emphasizing its national and professional standards and requiring recruitment from all districts.

There shall be a Commissioner of Prisons and a Deputy Commissioner of Prisons appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament.

The Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner of Prisons may be removed by the President.

Article 216 outlines the appointment of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, with the President holding the power to remove them from office.

Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Prisons

providing for the organisation, administration and functions of the Uganda Prisons Service;

ensuring that members of the Uganda Prisons Service are recruited from every district of Uganda; and

regulating generally the Uganda Prisons Service.

Article 217 allows Parliament to regulate the Uganda Prisons Service, including its structure, recruitment, and general governance.

 Parliament to regulate the Uganda Prisons Service

Parliament may by law establish intelligence services and may prescribe their composition, functions and procedures.

No intelligence service shall be established by the Government except by or under an Act of Parliament.

Article 218 empowers Parliament to establish intelligence services, defining their structure and procedures while requiring parliamentary approval.

There shall be a National Security Council which shall consist of the President as Chairperson and such other members as Parliament may determine.

Article 219 establishes the National Security Council, with the President as Chairperson and membership determined by Parliament.

to inform and advise the President on matters relating to national security; and

any other functions prescribed by Parliament.

The functions of the National Security Council are—

Article 220 defines the functions of the National Security Council, including advising the President on national security and other prescribed duties.

 Functions of the National Security Council

It shall be the duty of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces and any other armed force established in Uganda, the Uganda Police Force and any other police force, the Uganda Prisons Service, all intelligence services and the National Security Council to observe and respect human rights and freedoms in the performance of their functions.

Article 221 mandates that all security organisations, including the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces, Police, Prisons, and Intelligence, must respect human rights in their functions.

 Security organisations to observe human rights

Parliament shall make laws to regulate the possession and use of firearms and ammunition.

Article 222 authorises Parliament to regulate the possession and use of firearms and ammunition.

Parliament to regulate possession and use of firearms and ammunition

Chapter 12 / Defence and national security

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces

208. Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces

209.Functions of the Defence Forces

Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces

210.Parliament to Regulate the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces