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Security Organisations Act

Statute 10 of 1987 Current version · as at 31 December 2000

An Act to provide for the establishment of security organisations, their constitution, management and functions and for other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Enacted1987
Commenced13 November 1987
Last amended—
Point-in-time consolidation · as at 31 December 2000. This page may not reflect amendments made after that date. Confirm the current position against the latest Uganda Gazette before relying on it.

About this Act

An Act to provide for the establishment of security organisations, their constitution, management and functions and for other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Jurisdiction
Uganda
Type
Principal Legislation
Status
In force
Language
English

Full text of the Act

0 parts · 12 sections

Enhanced Annotated View adds approved, source-linked propositions, operative requirements, judicial passages, related provisions, amendment notes and authority status. Choose Original PDF to inspect the source consolidation.

Uganda

Security Organisations Act

Commenced on 13 November 1987

[This is the version of this document at 31 December 2000.]

An Act to provide for the establishment of security organisations, their constitution, management and functions and for other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

1. Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires (a) "council" means the council established under section 7 ;

(b)

"organisations" means the security organisations established under section 2 .

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Definition

This section supplies the definitions or statutory meaning governing “Interpretation”.

“In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires (a) "council" means the council established under section 7;”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this definition when interpreting other provisions that employ the language addressed by “Interpretation”.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. (b) "organisations" means the security organisations established under section 2.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions
Section 7 · Establishment of the council Section 2 · Establishment of security organisations
Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

2. Establishment of security organisations

(1)

There are established security organisations to be known as the Internal Security Organisation and the External Security Organisation.

(2)

The organisations shall be Government departments.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Establishment of security organisations”.

“(1) There are established security organisations to be known as the Internal Security Organisation and the External Security Organisation.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The provision uses mandatory language; the responsible person or institution should be able to demonstrate compliance.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

2
  1. (1) There are established security organisations to be known as the Internal Security Organisation and the External Security Organisation.
  2. (2) The organisations shall be Government departments.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

3. Functions of the organisations

The functions of the organisations shall be (a) to collect, receive and process internal and external intelligence data on the security of Uganda;

(b)

to advise and recommend to the President or any other authority as the President may direct on what action should be taken in connection with that intelligence data.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Functions of the organisations”.

“The functions of the organisations shall be (a) to collect, receive and process internal and external intelligence data on the security of Uganda;”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The power must be exercised by the authorised decision-maker, within the conditions and purpose stated in the section.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. (b) to advise and recommend to the President or any other authority as the President may direct on what action should be taken in connection with that intelligence data.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

4. Restrictions on exercise of duties

(1)

No officer or employee of either organisation shall take action directed against or affecting any person following intelligence gathered pursuant to section 3 unless that action has first been sanctioned by the President or such other authority as the President may direct; except that either of the Directors General may direct the police to arrest and detain, in relation to intelligence gathered, any person for not more than forty-eight hours pending a report by the Director General under section 3(b) and a decision by the President.

(2)

No officer or employee of either organisation shall have power to arrest, detain or confine any person by virtue only of being an officer or employee of the organisation.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Restrictions on exercise of duties”.

“(1) No officer or employee of either organisation shall take action directed against or affecting any person following intelligence gathered pursuant to section 3 unless that action has first been sanctioned by the President or such other authority as the President may direct; except that either of the Directors General may direct the police to arrest and detain, in relation to intelligence gathered, any person for not more than forty-eight hours pending a report by the Director General under section 3(b) and a…”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The power must be exercised by the authorised decision-maker, within the conditions and purpose stated in the section.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

2
  1. (1) No officer or employee of either organisation shall take action directed against or affecting any person following intelligence gathered pursuant to section 3 unless that action has first been sanctioned by the President or such other authority as the President may direct; except that either of the Directors General may direct the police to arrest and detain, in relation to intelligence gathered, any person for not more than forty-eight hours pending a report by the Director General under section 3(b) and a decision by the President.
  2. (2) No officer or employee of either organisation shall have power to arrest, detain or confine any person by virtue only of being an officer or employee of the organisation.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions
Section 3 · Functions of the organisations
Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

5. Administration and supervision

Each organisation shall be headed by a Director General appointed by the President and directly responsible and accountable to the President

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Administration and supervision”.

“Each organisation shall be headed by a Director General appointed by the President and directly responsible and accountable to the President”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The provision uses mandatory language; the responsible person or institution should be able to demonstrate compliance.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. Each organisation shall be headed by a Director General appointed by the President and directly responsible and accountable to the President
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

6. Appointment of employees

Each organisation shall consist of officers and other employees to be appointed by the President on the advice of the Director General of the organisation concerned

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Appointment of employees”.

“Each organisation shall consist of officers and other employees to be appointed by the President on the advice of the Director General of the organisation concerned”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The provision uses mandatory language; the responsible person or institution should be able to demonstrate compliance.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. Each organisation shall consist of officers and other employees to be appointed by the President on the advice of the Director General of the organisation concerned
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

7. Establishment of the council

There shall be an advisory council which shall consist of the following

(a)

the President, who shall be the chairperson;

(b)

the Minister in the President's Office responsible for security;

(c)

the Minister responsible for internal affairs;

(d)

the Minister responsible for defence;

(e)

the Director General of the External Security Organisation;

(f)

the Director General of the Internal Security Organisation;

(g)

the director of military intelligence; and

(h)

any other person appointed by the President.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Establishment of the council”.

“There shall be an advisory council which shall consist of the following (a) the President, who shall be the chairperson;”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The provision uses mandatory language; the responsible person or institution should be able to demonstrate compliance.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

8
  1. (a) the President, who shall be the chairperson;
  2. (b) the Minister in the President's Office responsible for security;
  3. (c) the Minister responsible for internal affairs;
  4. (d) the Minister responsible for defence;
  5. (e) the Director General of the External Security Organisation;
  6. (f) the Director General of the Internal Security Organisation;
  7. (g) the director of military intelligence; and
  8. (h) any other person appointed by the President.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

8. Functions of the council

(1)

The functions of the council shall be to advise the President-

(a)

on the policy regarding State security;

(b)

on matters relating to recruitment of personnel into the organisations;

(c)

on the prescription of rules and regulations governing the terms and conditions of service of the officers and other employees of the organisations;

(d)

on the formulation of a code of conduct governing officers and other employees of the organisations;

(e)

on the formulation of the disciplinary procedure of the organisations;

(f)

on any other matter or thing that may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Act.

(2)

The council may form such committees as it may deem necessary.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Functions of the council”.

“(1) The functions of the council shall be to advise the President-”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The power must be exercised by the authorised decision-maker, within the conditions and purpose stated in the section.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

8
  1. (1) The functions of the council shall be to advise the President-
  2. (a) on the policy regarding State security;
  3. (b) on matters relating to recruitment of personnel into the organisations;
  4. (c) on the prescription of rules and regulations governing the terms and conditions of service of the officers and other employees of the organisations;
  5. (d) on the formulation of a code of conduct governing officers and other employees of the organisations;
  6. (e) on the formulation of the disciplinary procedure of the organisations;
  7. (f) on any other matter or thing that may be necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Act.
  8. (2) The council may form such committees as it may deem necessary.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

9. Delegation

The powers and duties conferred upon the President under this Act may be exercised by such Minister as the President may authorise for that purpose

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Delegation”.

“The powers and duties conferred upon the President under this Act may be exercised by such Minister as the President may authorise for that purpose”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The power must be exercised by the authorised decision-maker, within the conditions and purpose stated in the section.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. The powers and duties conferred upon the President under this Act may be exercised by such Minister as the President may authorise for that purpose
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

10. Disclosure of information

(1)

Any person employed or having been employed by either organisation who, without lawful authority, communicates, releases or discloses, whether verbally, in writing, by conduct or in any other manner, to any person, any information relating to his or her duties or those of any other officer, employee or former employee of the organisations, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a period of imprisonment not exceeding fourteen years.

(2)

Any person employed or having been employed by either organisation who-

(a)

holds communication with or gives intelligence to any person, except for purposes of obtaining information from that person; or

(b)

discloses the secrets of either organisation to any person, commits an offence of disclosure of intelligence and is liable on conviction to be sentenced to death.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Offence or consequence

This section creates or governs statutory liability concerning “Disclosure of information”.

“(1) Any person employed or having been employed by either organisation who, without lawful authority, communicates, releases or discloses, whether verbally, in writing, by conduct or in any other manner, to any person, any information relating to his or her duties or those of any other officer, employee or former employee of the organisations, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a period of imprisonment not exceeding fourteen years.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

A party alleging or defending liability should test the facts and prescribed consequence against each operative requirement.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

4
  1. (1) Any person employed or having been employed by either organisation who, without lawful authority, communicates, releases or discloses, whether verbally, in writing, by conduct or in any other manner, to any person, any information relating to his or her duties or those of any other officer, employee or former employee of the organisations, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a period of imprisonment not exceeding fourteen years.
  2. (2) Any person employed or having been employed by either organisation who-
  3. (a) holds communication with or gives intelligence to any person, except for purposes of obtaining information from that person; or
  4. (b) discloses the secrets of either organisation to any person, commits an offence of disclosure of intelligence and is liable on conviction to be sentenced to death.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

11. Behaviour prejudicial to the organisations

Any officer or other employee of the organisations who arrests, detains or confines any person in contravention of section 4(2) or conducts himself or herself in a manner which is likely to bring either organisation or both into disrepute or contempt commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Offence or consequence

This section creates or governs statutory liability concerning “Behaviour prejudicial to the organisations”.

“Any officer or other employee of the organisations who arrests, detains or confines any person in contravention of section 4(2) or conducts himself or herself in a manner which is likely to bring either organisation or both into disrepute or contempt commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

A party alleging or defending liability should test the facts and prescribed consequence against each operative requirement.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions
Section 4 · Restrictions on exercise of duties
Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

12. Regulations

The President may, on the advice of the council, make regulations (a) formulating the code of conduct governing officers and other employees of the organisations;

(b)

prescribing the conditions of service of officers and employees of the organisations;

(c)

prescribing disciplinary procedures to be followed by the organisations; and

(d)

generally for better carrying into effect this Act.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Regulations”.

“The President may, on the advice of the council, make regulations (a) formulating the code of conduct governing officers and other employees of the organisations;”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The power must be exercised by the authorised decision-maker, within the conditions and purpose stated in the section.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

3
  1. (b) prescribing the conditions of service of officers and employees of the organisations;
  2. (c) prescribing disciplinary procedures to be followed by the organisations; and
  3. (d) generally for better carrying into effect this Act.
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

Original Laws of Uganda consolidation (as at 31 December 2000) — public-domain legislation, consolidated by ULII / Laws.Africa (CC BY 4.0). This is a point-in-time text and may not reflect later amendments; confirm against the latest Uganda Gazette before relying on it.