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What to do after an arrest in Uganda

Practical first steps and safeguards after an arrest.

LegalFinder Editorial·23 Aug 2026

Stay calm and ask why you are being arrested. Tell a trusted person where you are and ask to contact a lawyer. Under Article 23 of the Constitution, a person arrested or detained on suspicion of a criminal offence must be brought before a court as soon as possible and not later than forty-eight hours from arrest. Do not sign a statement you do not understand. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

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