THE ETHICAL AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS BEHIND THE LEGALISATION OF EUTHANSIA IN UGANDA. NDIMWIBO ALAN. LLB 1153-01024-02897 A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULLFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF A BACHELORS DEGREE IN LAW BY KAMPALA INTERATIONAL UNIVERSITY JUNE 2019 Contents DECLARATION ...................................................................................................................... iv DEDICATION .........................................................................................................................v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ......................................................................................................... vi ABSTRACT ...........................................................................................................................vii CHAPTER 1 ........................................................................................................................... 1 TITLE .................................................................................................................................... 1 THE ETHICAL AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS BEHIND THE LEGALISATION OF EUTHANSIA IN UGANDA .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 1.1.0 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY .................................................................................... 1 1.2.0 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM .................................................................................. 3 1.3.0 OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................. 4 1.4.0 GENERAL OBJECTIVE .................................................................................................. 4 1.5.0 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................. 4 1.6.0 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ............................................................................................... 4 1.7.0 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ................................................................................................. 4 1.8.0 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY .................................................................................... 4 1.9.0 LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................. 5 2.0 A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF EUTHANASIA .................................................................. 5 2.1 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................ 27 2.2.0 CHAPTER BREAKDOWN ............................................................................................ 28 2.3.0 CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................ 29 2.4.0 THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF DEATH ........................................................................... 29 Death at common law ....................................................................................................... 30 2.5.0 THE LEGAL CONCEPT OF EUTHANASIA .................................................................... 32 2.6.0 EMERGING JURISPRUDENCE ON EUTHANASIA ....................................................... 35 CHAPTER 3 ......................................................................................................................... 41 2.8.0 EUTHANASIA IN THE NETHERLANDS ........................................................................ 41 ii 2.9.0 EUTHANASIA IN INDIA .............................................................................................. 44 3.0 EUTHANASIA IN THE USA ............................................................................................ 47 CHAPTER 4 ......................................................................................................................... 58 QUESTIONNAIRE ANALYSIS ............................................................................................... 58 3.3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 58 3.4.0 Sampling Process ...................................................................................................... 59 3.5.0 Data Collection and Findings .................................................................................... 59 3.6.0 Data Presentation and Discussion ........................................................................... 61 3.7.0 Strengths and limitations ......................................................................................... 62 3.8.0 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. 62 3.9.0 Declaration of interests ............................................................................................ 63 CHAPTER 5 ......................................................................................................................... 64 4.1.0 SUMMARY ................................................................................................................ 64 4.2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................... 66 APPENDIX I ........................................................................................................................ 70 SAMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE ................................................................................................. 70 iii DECLARATION I Ndimwibo Alan do hereby declare that this research is my original work, save for the references to various online and printed texts for which due acknowledgement has been given and furt~er that this study has not been submitted in similar form and content for the purpose of the conferment of any degree or otherwise to any individual, university, website or institution. NDIMWIBO ALAN LLB 1153-01024-02897 DATE: ..,9. ,;/.t_ .1... Q . J. .f~Lo.( .. : This dissertation has been submitted for examination with my approval. as the university supervisor. 1)--1 // ~.::z?Ql SUPERVISOR DATE: ......q. ~.......................... 7 . iv DEDICATION. To my parents, brothers, and sisters. Your unwavering support, encouragement and positive criticism has been a pivotal contribution to the fulfillment of this journey and a source of reflection, and hearty laughs for our family. This study couldn't be compiled without you. Your inspiration and benevolence has been immeasurable. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. It would be in vain to state that this study resulted from the sole effort of the author. It has taken the selflessness input of a lot of people to finally finish the study, piece by piece, brick by brick. I thank the Almighty God for his steadfast love and uncountable blessings. My sincere gratitude goes to my supervisor Mr. KAHAMA for his guidance time and dedication to my study. I am greatly indebted to all the medical practioners who took the time from their busy schedules to fill out my Questionnaires and particularly Dr. Henry Nuwamanya of international· hospital Kampala for going out of his way to assist me in getting respondents for my Questionnaires. Finally, I could not conclude without recognizing all the terminally ill people of the world. You filled me with great empathy and were an immense source of motivation throughout my study, it is because of you that I chose and undertook this particular topic for study. May God fill you with peace and may you never lose hope. vi ABSTRACT. The suggestion that euthanasia should be authorised by law, to a considerable extent raises some plausible moral, ethical, philosophical, and religious issues as well as legal and constitutional questions. In addition, the euthanasia debate has been fueled by a number of social and legal developments. These include the advent of modern medical technology and the availability and use of artificial measure to prolong life. Therefore, this study will examine and analyze all the factors to provide a deeper and more uniform insight into mercy killing, in conjunction with the Ugandan legal system and constitutional dispensation. vii TABLE OF CASES Aruna Shanbaug v Union of India (2011) 4 SCC 454 Airedale NHS Trust v Bland [1993] 1 All E.R. 521;[1993] A.C 879 Alkmaar Nederlandse Jurisprudence (1985) No. 106 Carter v Canada (2015) SCC 5 Supreme Court of Canada Gian Kaur v State of Punjab AIR (1996) SC 946 Katherine Morris & Aja Riggs v Attorney General of the State of New Mexico No. D-202- CV 2012-02909 P. Rathinam v Union of India AIR (1994) SC 144 Re Quinlan Supreme Court of New Jersey 70 N.J. 10, 355 A.2d 647, (1976) R v Ma/cherek and Steel [1981] 2 All E.R 422 ReA [1992] 3 Med l.R.303 R v Adams [1957] Crim LR 365 Tony Nick/inson v Ministry ofjustice [2012] EWHC 2381 viii TABLE OF STATUTES Statutes The Constitution of Uganda 1995 The Dutch Penal code The penal code of Uganda CAP 120 Laws of Uganda The Indian Penal Code {1860) The Oregon Death with Dignity Act {USA) . The Termination of life on Request and Assisted Suicide {Review Procedures) Act of the Netherlands The Washington death with dignity Act {USA) ix CHAPTER 1 TITLE THE ETHICAL AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS BEHIND THE LEGALISATION OF EUTHANSIA IN UGANDA. 1.0 INTRODUCTION. Questions regarding death and dying have recently become popular topics for discussion by lawyers, physicians,