A critical examination of the legal framework for the protection of online consumer rights in Uganda

Abstract

This study critically examined Uganda's legal framework for protecting online consumer rights. It aimed at identifying the existing legal provisions' strengths and weaknesses and propose improvement recommendations. The study adopted the doctrinal research approach, utilizing primary and secondary data. Primary sources included legislative enactments and case law. Similarly, secondary sources included the writings of legal scholars describing, interpreting, analyzing, and criticizing statutes or judicial precedents. Secondary data sources included academic journals, textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and internet materials. The findings revealed several shortcomings in Uganda's current legal framework for online consumer rights. While specific legislation exists to protect consumers, it fails to adequately address the unique challenges the online environment poses. Key issues identified include a lack of specific provisions for online transactions, limited enforcement mechanisms, and insufficient consumer awareness and education. Additionally, the study highlighted the need for more vital collaboration between government agencies, consumer rights organizations, and online businesses to protect consumers in the digital sphere effectively. The recommendations proposed in this study can serve as a foundation for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance the protection of online consumer rights in Uganda, ultimately promoting trust and confidence in e-commerce transactions. The study contributes to the existing literature on consumer rights in Uganda by explicitly focusing on the online context. It also provides a comprehensive legal framework analysis and highlights areas for improvement

Keyword: Protection of online consumer rights