MPA7202 Administrative Law

This course explores the procedures by which administrative Agencies implement legislative policy through rule making, adjudication and enforcement activities, judicial review of administrative agency action, legislative and executive control of administrative action and the forms and organization of administrative agencies.  The relationship among agency decisions, authorizing statutes and the constitution are considered.  It further deals with administrative process in executive and independent regulatory agencies.  Constitutional limits on governmental agencies and structures separation of powers and topic related to government structures, limits on delegation of powers and principles of natural justice.   

Course objectives   
The course aims at exploring and critically comparing administrative law systems of Uganda and those of other countries.

• Administrative law exists to regulate the powers and actions of public authorities, especially in relation to their dealings with citizens subject to their authority. The Module attempts to show the varying mechanisms by which this is achieved including: 

1. The constitutional basis for the respective powers of public bodies 
2. The special function played in this by delegated legislation
3. The various mechanisms used to make public bodies accountable for their actions; -(Ministerial accountability actions, the role of tribunals, the work of ombudsman etc)

• To inculcate analytical and research skills
• To build on the foundations of public law/constitutional law and in particular, to develop further students understanding of the legal framework within which government and administration functions.
• To consider the interrelationship between legal and administrative processes and to cultivate a critical attitude in respect of these processes.
• To provide students with the knowledge of the basic as well as advanced principles and concepts of Administrative Law

Learning outcomes 
On successful completion of the module, students should be able to; 

• Understand the scope and function of administrative law and be familiar with its most important branches
• Be able to identify and explain the legal basis for the powers exercised by public bodies
• Possess a clear understanding of the role of judicial review and the different grounds available for questioning administrative decisions, along with detailed knowledge of the relevant Case – Law 
• Understand the role of Ombudsman, and be able to explain the degree to which his function and powers differ between Uganda and other countries
• Be aware of the various criticisms made of the current administrative law arrangements already to evaluate various proposals for their reform
• Be able to display an ability to interpret, analyze and explain administrative decisions
• Be able to search within administrative law in its various sources in order to derive data to boaster knowledge and to further be able to find logical solutions to real and/or presumed cases.