The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) is the only legal armed force in the country. It must be non-partisan, professional, and loyal to Uganda, not to any political party or person. The military is required to follow orders from the elected civilian government, not act on its own. Only Ugandan citizens of good character can serve in the UPDF. No one is allowed to create any other armed force outside the UPDF. If someone tries to raise a private army, that is against the Constitution and can be punished.

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.

Article 208: Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces

The Defence Forces of Uganda are responsible for protecting the country's independence and land from outside threats. They must work with civilian authorities during emergencies like natural disasters. The military is also supposed to build good relationships with ordinary people and take part in activities that help Uganda develop.

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.

Article 209: What Uganda's Defence Forces Do

Parliament has the power to make laws about how the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces are organised and run. This includes deciding the army's structure, how soldiers are recruited (ensuring every district in Uganda is included), promoted, disciplined, or removed. Parliament also sets the working conditions for soldiers and controls when troops can be sent to fight or serve outside Uganda. The government cannot change these rules without Parliament's approval.

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.

Article 210: Parliament Makes Laws for Army

Parliament to Regulate the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces

There is a national police force in Uganda called the Uganda Police Force, and Parliament can create other police forces if needed. The police must be nationalistic, patriotic, professional, disciplined, competent, and productive. All police officers must be Ugandan citizens of good character. This means you can expect the police to act professionally and lawfully, and they are supposed to serve the country with integrity.

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.

Article 211: Understanding the Uganda Police Force

The police have a duty to protect your life and property, keep order, and prevent and investigate crime. They must work together with civilian leaders, other security agencies, and the general public. This means the police answer to civilian authority, not military control. You can expect them to act in partnership with the community to keep everyone safe.

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.

Article 212: What the Uganda Police Does

The Uganda Police Force is led by an Inspector General of Police, who is appointed by the President with Parliament's approval. A Deputy Inspector General assists them. The Inspector General must follow Uganda's laws when doing their job, but the President can give policy directions to them. The President can also remove the Inspector General or Deputy from office. This means the police have a clear chain of command, and the President has some control over police policy while the Inspector General must still obey the law.

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.

<div><strong>3</strong> 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.</div>

Article 213 Clause 3

Article 213: Who commands the Uganda Police Force?

Parliament is responsible for making laws that set up and run the Uganda Police Force. These laws must ensure that police officers are recruited from every district in the country, so the force represents all Ugandans. Parliament also has the power to create general rules on how the police operate and are managed. This means the police must follow clear legal guidelines, and the public can expect fair and accountable policing across Uganda.

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.

Article 214: Parliament to regulate police force

Parliament to regulate the Uganda Police Force

The Uganda Prisons Service must be professional, disciplined, and competent, with staff recruited from every district of the country. Prison officers must be Ugandan citizens of good character, which helps ensure fair and respectful treatment of prisoners. The government is required to maintain a prison service that is nationalistic and patriotic, meaning it should serve the public interest and uphold the law. This article sets the standard for how prisons are run, aiming to protect the rights and dignity of those in custody.

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.

Article 215: Uganda Prisons Service Explained

The President appoints the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, but only after Parliament approves the choice. The President can remove either official at any time without needing Parliament's approval. Because Parliament must first agree, the public has some indirect say in who leads the prison system through their elected representatives. However, the President alone can remove them, giving the government direct control over prison leadership.

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.

Article 216: How Prisons Commissioner is Appointed

Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Prisons

Parliament is responsible for making laws that control how the Uganda Prisons Service is organized and run. These laws must ensure that prison staff are recruited from every district in the country, so the service represents all parts of Uganda. Parliament also has the power to set general rules for how the prison service operates. This means that the way prisons work can change based on laws passed by Parliament, and citizens can hold their elected leaders accountable for how prisons are managed.

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.

Article 217: Parliament Makes Laws for Prisons

 Parliament to regulate the Uganda Prisons Service

Parliament must pass a law before any intelligence service can be created. The government cannot set up a spy agency on its own—it needs approval from elected representatives. This law will also spell out what the service can do, who works in it, and how it operates. The purpose is to prevent secret or uncontrolled intelligence agencies that could abuse your rights.

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.

Article 218: Intelligence services in Uganda

The government creates a National Security Council to advise the President on matters of national security. This council brings together key officials to coordinate security policies and respond to threats. While the council helps protect the country, its work is usually secret and not open to the public. Your rights could be affected if the council recommends emergency actions, but those decisions must follow the law. The council cannot override your basic rights like a fair trial unless there is a declared emergency with legal limits.

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.

Article 219: Members of Uganda's National Security Council

The National Security Council is a government body that gives advice and information to the President about national security matters. Parliament can also give the Council additional tasks by law. This means the President can get expert guidance on protecting the country, but the Council does not make final decisions. The exact details of what the Council does beyond advising are decided 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.

Article 220: National Security Council Duties

 Functions of the National Security Council

You have the right to be treated humanely by all security organisations, including the police, military, and intelligence agencies. These forces must respect your human rights and dignity at all times, whether during arrests, investigations, or detentions. They cannot use torture, cruel treatment, or any form of abuse against you. If a security officer violates your rights, you can report the misconduct and seek legal protection. The government must ensure that all security personnel are trained to follow these rules and are held accountable if they break them.

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.

Article 221: Security Forces Must Respect Human Rights

 Security organisations to observe human rights

Parliament has the power to make laws controlling who can own or use guns and ammunition. This means the government can require licenses, background checks, and safety rules for firearms. As a person, you can only possess a gun if you follow these laws—there is no automatic right to own a firearm. Parliament may also set penalties for illegal possession or misuse. These regulations are meant to keep the public safe, so you must obey them or face legal consequences.

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.

Article 222: Parliament to regulate gun possession and use

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