EXAMINATION OF THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK AGAINST TERRORIST FINANCING IN UGANDA

Uganda's framework against terrorist financing combines criminal offences, financial intelligence, preventive duties, targeted financial sanctions and judicial remedies. This article examines whether those components form a coherent and accountable system. It uses doctrinal legal research and a structured documentary review of revised legislation, reported judgments, international instruments, regulatory publications and selected scholarship available by 29 October 2026. The analysis distinguishes technical compliance from operational effectiveness and separates terrorist financing decisions from related money-laundering jurisprudence. It finds that the Anti-Terrorism Act, Cap 120, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Cap 118, provide a substantial legal foundation, including an autonomous financing offence and mechanisms for interrupting and restraining funds. However, effective implementation depends on evidential discipline, correct charge selection, timely judicial supervision, institutional cooperation and proportionate treatment of legitimate organisations. Ugandan decisions demonstrate both judicial acceptance of urgent preventive action and intervention where restrictions lack an established basis or continue unjustifiably. International compliance developments indicate progress without establishing that every operational weakness has been resolved. The article recommends clearer guidance on distinct asset powers, stronger financialinvestigation capacity, regular review of restrictions, targeted nonprofit oversight, secure information exchange and public outcome statistics. It concludes that a credible system must demonstrate lawful prevention and sustainable prosecutions while making errors and overreach capable of correction.