Learn more about your Legal Rights

Grace was brought to JCU Kasese office by the Kasese District LCV chair person, after

The complainant (Yolesi) is a single mother to a two-year-old. The complainant and her mother

Two families were at the verge of falling over a money dispute. It all started

Aminah was married to Fahad for about 40 years. The couple while still renting, bought

In April 2022, Daphne approached JCU Tororo for legal support because her husband (Pete) of

The dispute took place in 2019 in Kasunga I village, Mukunyu Sub County concerning a

The claimant Oliver, a mother of four, reached out to the Fort Portal office to

This client (Gilbert) being in his old age, seemed so miserable and helpless after his

This story involves 20-year-old Angela whose share of land had been taken away by the

Our client James, approached JCU Hoima in 2017 after being rendered homeless by his maternal

This case involved 63-year-old Evans whose land had been fraudulently grabbed by his neighbor Simon.

Eva approached JCU Bundibugyo Centre seeking legal assistance after a land sale went wrong. She

Our client Florence, lost her husband to a long-time illness in 2021.  Florence had been

Rose was going through physical, emotional and economic violence implicated by the ex-husband Phillip. For

When a person dies without leaving a valid will, there is a process for beneficiaries

Moses, a 57-year-old man from Wakiso District gets compensated for his money that he used

This is a statement made by Mukiibi after JCU helped him recover his land. Mukiibi

Pictured is Judith, a widow who was helped to recover her matrimonial home and land

This is 80-year-old Biira who suffered at the hands of her stepson Benson who was

Jane’s mother, Atwine, died testate in 2019 and was survived by five children. Atwine passed

This is Alice, an 86 year old woman whose property rights were fought for by

In February 2022, Fred and Doreen (siblings) walked into JCU Fort Portal office seeking legal

Aida is a widow to the late Ndege who died intestate in 2005 leaving her

This story is about 70-year-old Lusiya, a widow and mother of three children aged between

Joshua approached JCU Mukono claiming that his mother (Namusisi) passed on intestate in 2001, and

The complainants approached JCU Mukono claiming that they are biological children to the late Kasozi

The complainant Nadia approached JCU Mukono claiming she’d been in a cohabiting relationship with Kibirige

This is a family matter where the client’s in-laws upon the death of her husband,

Frank (deceased) had one wife Racheal and another woman (Prossy) whom he had cohabited and

This story involved a widow whose in-laws and clan leaders attempted to divide property already

Ben walked into JCU Fort Portal offices complaining that he supplied sukali gulu (Molasses) worth

Rachel was employed by Stella as a domestic worker and she was to earn UGX.

This is a case of an old man, Peter, a retired Headteacher who owns a

Our clients had been on remand for 11 years having been indicted for double murder

All the 5 accused persons aged between 40-93 years are all residents of Kassanda District

Vicky was a victim of emotional violence perpetrated against her by her neighbor. Martha (the

Pre-trial detention is the stage in the criminal justice system when a person accused of

Who is a landlord? A landlord refers to a property owner (including their authorized agent)

The JCU National Coordinator - Mr. Besigye Aaron shares JCU’s involvement in eliminating violence against

Uganda Prisons Service provides reasonable, safe, secure and humane custody of suspects and offenders as

The Attorney General of Uganda is the principal legal adviser to the government of Uganda.

An abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy so that it does not result

The process to purchase land roughly consists of 2 parts: You carry out inquiries to

When a case is proved against a child in a criminal trial and they are

When a child is arrested for breaking the law, the following should happen: The child’s

Children below the age of 18 years who have committed or are suspected to have committed

Because of their young age, the law gives children more protection than adults therefore creating

The general understanding of corruption is when a person acts in his public office contrary

You have the Right to Appeal! In most cases, you may have the right to

Powers of a Prison Officer A Prison Officer has similar powers, protection, and privileges of

In detaining inmates, three main custody principles must be observed by Prison Authorities. These are:

Although the common use of the word "nuisance" is something that annoys a person, nuisance

Civil law is about cases where an individual, a company or even government does something

Criminal law is a set of laws used to punish people whose conduct is considered

If you are in a disagreement with another person over a matter in which the

Generally, anyone in Uganda is entitled to enjoy the basic right and freedoms under the

‘Children in conflict with the law’ is defined as anyone under 18 who comes into

JCU is part of a vast referral network. The LASPNET project coordinator contacted JCU Mukono

19-year-old Cassandra was rescued from prison cells by JCU Mmengo Centre in October 2021. Cassandra

This civil case was referred to the JCU Kasese Centre by the Uganda Human Rights

Kennedy has been a registered UBER driver since 2019 and he got into serious troubles

This happened to our client Cathy. She  reported her case to JCU Fort Portal and

This story elaborates the steps taken by a family that sought legal action in respect

This story is about a strong woman who did not give up even though she

This is a story of a true family catastrophe deriving from a man who practiced

The in-charge Gender Based Violence (GBV) Police desk referred a case involving 53-year- old Stanley

In this case, a woman understood that she too has the right to a share

In this story, a couple overcame domestic violence and legalized their relationship with the help

In this story, we see how Cecilia struggled to get a share of her deceased

Nazziwa, a 38-year-old mother of two from Wakiso had the misfortune of losing her partner

This is a story of Sarah and Innocent, two cohabitees from Kabarole District, who were

In this case uncle Roger took advantage of the vulnerability of two orphans. He forged

Dying without leaving a will in many cases creates disputes among the family members left

There’s a lot of gender-based violence among families in Uganda and many women who experience

Namata is a 72-year-old widow who wanted to recover land which was bought by her

Land grabbing and disputes were rampant during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the 2020 lockdown

Imagine being confined to your home, afraid of going anywhere for fear of being rearrested

The Local Governments Act gives the Village executive committee the mandate to maintain law, order

The Local Governments Act gives the Village executive committee the mandate to maintain law, order

The Local Governments Act gives the Village executive committee the mandate to maintain law, order

UHRC was established by the 1995 constitution of the Republic of Uganda and its mandated

No, it's not. Police is mandated to use reasonable force to effect an arrest. What

Pictured are Rachel (pseudonym) and her family posing with the JCU paralegal officer after their

It is NOT true that girls and women cannot inherit land. The law in Uganda

A maintenance matter was successfully mediated by the Fort Portal Centre for 50-year-old Laura from

This is a process that involves the State Attorney looking at the police file and

Plea bargain is the process between an accused person (in prison) and the prosecution in

Bail simply means court giving the accused person permission to hear his/ her case while

Bail simply means Court giving the accused person permission to hear his/ her case while

Bail simply means Court giving the accused person permission to hear his/ her case while

Petty offences are minor offences whose penalty ranges from a caution, low value fine, community

A capital offence is one that carries a maximum sentence of death and is handled

A capital offence is one that carries a maximum sentence of death and is handled

An arrest is using legal authority to deprive a person of his or her freedom

An arrest is using legal authority to deprive a person of his or her freedom

This story portrays discrimination in the use and enjoyment of inherited property where one sibling

In September 2019, Ntalo Joseph together with other beneficiaries were brought to the Mubende offices

The Bundibugyo team supported by UN Women, JLOS & Embassy of Sweden, trained 160 Community

Child Labour is illegal! Child Labour denies children their fundamental human rights such as the

Generally, the minimum age of employment of a child is sixteen (16) years in Uganda.

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS/ LABOUR RIGHTS The minimum age of employment of a child is sixteen (16)

This is Ritah's story, Ritah cohabited with Eric (pseudonym) and had two children with him.

MARRIAGE & DIVORCE Divorce is when a marriage is lawfully brought to an end either

LAND & PROPERTY RIGHTS/ SUCCESSION LAW Leaving a will directly affects your descendants and inconveniences

LAND & PROPERTY RIGHTS The law does not recognise cohabitation as marriage. It does not

LAND & PROPERTY RIGHTS Marriage is a contractual union between a man and a woman

LAND & PROPERTY RIGHTS Marriage is a contractual union between a man and a woman

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS The short answer to this question is YES, under the offence of DEFILEMENT.

'Children in conflict with the law' is defined as anyone under 18 who comes into

'Children in conflict with the law' is defined as anyone under 18 who comes into

CRIMINAL LAW 'Children in conflict with the law' is defined as anyone under 18 who

CRIMINAL LAW Mob justice is a form of extra judicial punishment or retribution in which

CRIMINAL LAW 'Children in conflict with the law' are defined as anyone under the age

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS/ CHILD MAINTENANCE If after one month of making the maintenance order it appears

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS/ CHILD MAINTENANCE If one parent has the means to provide, but still refuses

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Who is a domestic worker or house servant? A domestic worker is a

Becca (not real name) approached our Hoima Centre on 25th February 2018, seeking assistance with

On 17th July 2019, Brenda (not real name) together with her sister Caroline (not real

The JCU Bundibugyo Centre helped Godwin and his aunt regain an acre of land. Godwin,

The Mbale Centre recovered two acres of land on behalf of our client Ezekiel (not

It all started in 2016 when our client sold his 65/75 Ft piece of land

This is a matter involving Florence (not real name) and her son Fred (not real

This is a case that was referred to our Hoima Centre for mediation by the

This is a matter involving two siblings who had been having disputes over family land

Stacey (pseudonym) was happily married to Adrian (pseudonym) and the two owned two (2) acres

Becca (pseudonym) an 85 year old woman laid a complaint against her two neighbors who

In February 2020, Ronald (pseudonym) approached JCU Bundibugyo offices where he laid a complaint against

Lira Central Police Station (CPS) received a complaint of violence arising out of a family

Even with the prevalence of a number of family and clan meetings, Akullo (pseudonym), had

Our Legal Volunteer from Fort Portal Centre conducted a mediation between our client Jessica (pseudonym)

Agnes (not real name) had separated from her husband James (not real name) for over

Our client (Grace) and her five siblings sold off their late father's land for Ugx10

JCU Assistant Legal Officer - Gloria Nakayi of Mmengo Centre, successfully mediated a case involving

Kisembo Safina (56) got married to Hajji Matovu Moses in 1986 and they had two

It all started in June 2020 when the in-charge Gender Based Violence (GBV) Police desk

A locus mediation in Kasugu Village, Hoima District was successfully conducted. The mediation was between

Pictured is our client Cindy (not real name) who was helped by JCU Hoima Centre

This is Stacey, she comes from a family of ten (10) children, seven (7) of

This is another success story of two sisters, Kate & Anna (not real names), who

In February 2021, Sharon together with her brother and mother walked into JCU Lira offices

This is a story of Namubiru Mary (pseudonym), a client who approached JCU-Mmengo Centre in

The Mbale Centre conducted a mediation in the matter of  Cecilia (not real name) who

This is a story of  Judith (pseudonym) who approached JCU Mmengo Centre, seeking legal support

Pictured is JCU legal officer (Center), together with a couple after successfully resolving their family

This is  Winnie, a mother and school teacher from Nkokonjeru, Buikwe District. Winnie was in

Amelia (not real name) approached the JCU Hoima Centre to file a complaint against her

During the COVID-19 lockdown, our Centres worked remotely and supported persons with legal issues via

One of the components of the JCU- UN Women programme focuses on conducting the Prison

Musisi’s woes began in July 2020 when he was arrested and remanded at Kasangati Government

On 18th June 2020, the JCU Assistant Legal Officer (Mmengo Centre) supported by JLOS and

JCU Lira Centre has been working tirelessly to create awareness of legal rights to inmates

SUCCESS STORY: Claire (pseudonym) sought legal assistance from the Lira Centre after her stepmother mismanaged

In September 2020, thirty-seven (37) year old Rose was identified as a potential beneficiary of

SUCCESSION LAW This is the story of our client Sabrina (not real name) who came

SUCCESSION LAW JCU's Assistant Legal Officer at Mukono Centre is helping a 70-year-old client make

SUCCESSION LAW "No more paying house rent, no more buying food!" said our client after

SUCCESSION LAW In February 2021, the JCU Mbale Centre made a follow up visit to

SUCCESSION LAW Kezekia lodged a complaint at our Hoima Centre offices against three of his

SUCCESSION LAW When a person dies, they either die testate or intestate. A person dies

SUCCESSION LAW When a person dies, they either die testate or intestate. A person dies

SUCCESSION LAW When a person dies, they either die testate or intestate. A person dies

Justice Centres Uganda is one of the best legal aid service providers in Uganda according

Justice Centres Uganda recently concluded a media road trip across the country for  members of

A great criminal defense lawyer knows the ins and outs of the legal system, and may be able to spot certain arguments and factors that could mitigate or even negate a potential crime.

If you are looking at prison time or a criminal penalty, it is extremely important to hire a criminal defense lawyer. The legal system is designed and biased so that representing yourself in a criminal trial and expecting a good result is almost impossible.

If you are facing a criminal charge, no matter how minor, you should talk to a defense attorney to fully understand your case. A consultation with an experienced attorney will help you to understand the charges placed against you, the defenses available, what if any plea bargains may be offered to you, and what you should do if you are convicted. We offer free consultations – just contact us. If you are facing a serious charge, however, it is highly recommended that you have a skilled defense attorney represent you in court, and to not attempt self-representation based on a consultation.

If you are facing a criminal charge, no matter how minor, you should talk to a defense attorney to fully understand your case. A consultation with an experienced attorney will help you to understand the charges placed against you, the defenses available, what if any plea bargains may be offered to you, and what you should do if you are convicted.

If you are looking at prison time or a criminal penalty, it is extremely important to hire a criminal defense lawyer. The legal system is designed and biased so that representing yourself in a criminal trial and expecting a good result is almost impossible.

Christine Birabwa, the National Coordinator, Justice Centres Uganda (standng/right) with a Prison official and counsel