TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION ................................................................................................................ .ii
APPROVAL ...................................................................................................................... iii
DEDICATION .................................................................................................................... iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .................................................................................................. iv
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... vii
CHAPTER ONE .................................................................................................................. !
1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... !
1.1 Background to the Study ................................................................................................ !
1.2 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................... 2
1.3 Purpose of the Study ........................................................................ : ............................. 2
1. 4 Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Research Questions ..................................................................................... : .................. 3
1.6 Scope ofthe Study ......................................................................................................... 3
1. 7 Significance ................................................................................................................... 4
1.8 Conceptual Framework .................................................................................................. 4
CHAPTER TW0 ................................................................................................................. 5
2.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Effect of Low Education Levels on Access to Justice ................................................... 7
2.3 Social-Cultural Beliefs and Access to Justice ............................................................... 8
2.4 Summary of literature Review ....................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................... 10
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .......................................................... , ........................... !!
3.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................. !!
3 .1 Research Design .......................................................................................................... 11
3.2 Study Population .......................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Sampling Procedure ..................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Sample Size .................................................................................................................. 12
Table 1: Showing Sample size and Selection Procedure ................................................... l2
vi
3.5 Data Collection Methods/ Instruments ........................................................................ 13
3.4 Validity and Reliability ofinstruments ....................................................................... 14
Reliability ........................................................................................................................... 14
3.5 Analysis of Data ........................................................................................................... 14
3.8 Ethical Considerations ................................................................................................. 15
3.9 Limitations of the Study .............................................................................................. 16
CHAPTER FOUR .............................................................................................................. I6
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ........................................................... 17
4.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................. !?
4.1 Background Information .................................................................. , ........................... 17
CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................... 25
5.1 Discussion .................................................................................................................... 25
5.2 Conclusions .................................................................................................................. 27
5.3 Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 28
References .......................................................................................................................... 29
APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE TO RESPONDENTS ............................................... 32
Sample Determination Table ............................................................................................. 35
ABSTRACT This study made a critical analysis of the effect of poverty on access to justice in Uganda with reference to Luwero District. The study focused on the effect of low income, low education levels and social-cultural beliefs on access to in Luwero district. The research design adopted in this study was a cross -section. A cross-section of people seeking justice at the Magistrates court at Luwero and employs working in the court constituted part of this study. From the results, most people seeking justice were low income earners, experienced bias and discrimination in access to justice and they rarely accessed justice. They also saw the judicial functionas a supplier of services in a market driven by demand. The Actual costs of engaging a lawyer were said to be are high in addition to time spent in court was high. On a more negative note majority ofrespondents (66.6%) indicated that there was high cost and long distances to legal services in addition to corruption in the justice system (68.9%). A good number did not exercise their right due to lack of education and ignorance and the lack of access to justice was also hindered by language with some cases being lost due to incorrect interpretation by interpreters (76.7% response). Many poor people seeking justice faced discrimination due to their age, gender and disability, or race, family status, or age and mental disability and devoted part of their income to pay bribes. There is to for organisations like the Legal Services Division aims at enhancing fair and quick dispensation of justice; and making effective use of the law to promote and protect human rights in Uganda.
