Table of Cont~::nl:s
DECLARATION .............................................................................................................................................. ii
APPROVAL ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
DEDICATION .................................................................................................................................................. 4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................................ 5
LIST OF ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................................... 8
LIST STATUTES ........................................................................................................................................... 10
LIST OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ........................................................................................... 11
LIST OF CASES ............................................................................................................................................ xii
ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................... 14
1.0 lntroduction ............................................................................................................................................... 15
CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................................. 15
1.1 Historical background ................................................................................................................................. 3
1.2 Statement of the problem ............................................................................................................................ 3
1.3 Objectives of the study ............................................................................................................................... 4
1.4 The scope of study ...................................................................................................................................... 5
1.5 Significance oftbe study ............................................................................................................................. 5
1.6 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 5
1.7 Literature review ......................................................................................................................................... 6
1.8 Chapterisation ........................................................................................................................................... 14
1.8.1 Chapter one ............................................................................................................................................ 14
1.8.2 Chapter two ............................................................................................................................................ 14
1.8.3 Chapter tbree .......................................................................................................................................... 16
1.8.4 Chapter four ........................................................................................................................................... 16
1.8.5 Chapter five ........................................................................................................................................... 16
CHAPTER TW0 ............................................................................................................................................ 17
ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS BOTH ON THE INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL SCENE AND
THE LEGAL FRAME WORK FOR THESE ................................................................................................. 17
RIGHTS IN UGANDA ................................................................................................................................... 17
2.0 lntroduction ............................................................................................................................................... 17
2.1 Substantive environmental rights .............................................................................................................. 17
2.2 Procedural environmental law rights ........................................................................................................ 22
2.3 Legal framework for environmental rights in Uganda ............................................................................. 24
vi
CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................................................ 26
CONCEPT OF PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION IN GENERAL, ITS APPLICABILITY IN UGANDA,
LIMITATIONS AND RELIEFS SOUGHT UNDER THIS CONCEPT ........................................................ 26
3.0 Definition and nature of public interest litigation ..................................................................................... 26
3.1 Public Interest Litigation and the doctrine oflocus standi (standing) ...................................................... 29
3.2 Applicability of Public Interest Litigation of environmental rights in Uganda ........................................ 31
3.2.1 Competent Court for handling public interest litigation cases ............................................................... 31
3.2.2 Procedure under public interest litigation in Uganda ............................................................................ 35
CHAPTER FOUR. .......................................................................................................................................... 40
SUCCESS AND CHALLENGES OF PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
RIGHTS IN UGANDA ................................................................................................................................... 40
4.0 Success of Public Interest Litigation ......................................................................................................... 40
4.1 Challenges of Public Interest Litigation ................................................................................................... 44
CHAPTERFIVE ............................................................................................................................................ 51
OBSERVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, CONCLUSION .................................................................... 51
5.0 Observations .......................................................................................................... , .................................. 51
5.1 Recommendations ..................................................................................................................................... 52
5.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................ 54
BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................................................... 55
CHAPTER ONE 1.0 Introduction There is no clear definition of environmental rights however, various authors and environmentalists have categorized several of those human rights both substantive and procedural rights to effect environmental law rights. Those who have attempted to define environmental rights refer to it as any proclamation of a human right to environmental conditions of a specified quality. 1 Article 24 is to the effect that all people shall have the right to a general satisfactory environment favorable to their development. 2 The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights imposes an implied duty on the State parties of the Covenant to recognize the right of every one to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. In addition, the steps to be taken in realizing this right among others include; the improvement of all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene.3 The present and future generations have a right to a descent environment.4 Therefore such a right in Uganda can be realized by change of attitude and instituting public interest litigation to enforce it.
