 The right of peaceful assembly under Article 21;  The right to freedom of association with others under Article 22;  The right and opportunity to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives under Article 25. 70. Needless to say that the above Covenant is binding on the Republic of Uganda because it has signed and ratified the same. 71. The Fifty-ninth Session of the United Nations’ General Assembly of 23rd March, 2005 declared that “the essential elements of democracy include respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, inter alia freedom of association and peaceful assembly and of expression and opinion, and the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives, to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic free election by universal and equal suffrage and by secret ballot guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the people, as well as pluralistic system of political parties and organisations, respect for the rule of law, the separation of powers, the independence of judiciary, transparency and accountability in public administration ….” [emphasis added] 72. The common linkages that can be deduced from those principles are, rule of law and equity before the law. It is our understanding that the rule of law, democracy and good governance are the major features of a civilized society and as such, the rule of law provides the general framework for good governance. Rule of law implies that every citizen is subject to the law including the lawmakers. Put another way and specifically in the context of this Reference, it means Reference No. 5 of 2013 Page 27