When someone dies, the government must set up a fair and efficient system to manage the deceased person's property and debts. This system must be available in local areas so that everyone who needs it can easily access it. The law must also protect the rights of all people who are supposed to inherit or benefit from the estate. If you are a beneficiary, you have the right to expect that your interests will be properly looked after.

by law establish an efficient, fair and expeditious machinery for the administration and management of the estates of deceased persons; and

under the law referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article, ensure that the services of the department or organisation established for the purpose are decentralised and accessible to all persons who may reasonably require those services and that the interests of all beneficiaries are adequately protected.

Article 247 requires Parliament to create a fair and efficient system for managing deceased persons' estates, ensuring accessibility and beneficiary protection.

Article 247: Managing a Dead Person's Estate

The government is required to have a Law Reform Commission that studies existing laws and recommends improvements. Parliament decides how the Commission is set up and what it does. The Commission must publish its findings from time to time and send an annual report to Parliament. This helps keep Uganda's laws fair, clear, and up to date.

There shall be a Law Reform Commission for Uganda the composition and functions of which shall be prescribed by Parliament by law.

The Law Reform Commission established under <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="248:1">clause (1)</span> of this Article shall publish periodic reports on its findings and submit annual reports to Parliament.

Article 248 establishes Uganda’s Law Reform Commission, its functions, and reporting duties to Parliament.

<div><strong>1</strong> There shall be a Law Reform Commission for Uganda the composition and functions of which shall be prescribed by Parliament by law.</div>

Article 248 Clause 1

Article 248: Law Reform Commission in Uganda

A special government commission is created to prepare for and manage both natural disasters like floods or earthquakes and man-made disasters like fires or industrial accidents. Parliament will later decide the commission's members, powers, and how it should work. This means there is a public body responsible for coordinating disaster response and helping communities in emergencies. The government must act through this commission to handle large-scale crises, but the exact rules are still to be set by law.

There shall be a Disaster Preparedness and Management Commission for Uganda to deal with both natural and man-made disasters.

Parliament shall, for the purposes of this Article, prescribe the composition, functions and procedure for implementation of the functions of the Commission.

Article 249 creates a commission to handle natural and man-made disasters, with Parliament defining its structure and functions.

Article 249: Disaster Preparedness Commission

Disaster Preparedness and Management Commission

You can take the Government to court if you have a legal claim against it. To start a civil case against the Government, you must sue the Attorney General, and all court papers must be delivered to that office. Criminal cases brought by the Government are filed in the name of 'Uganda.' Parliament can pass additional laws about how these claims work.

Where a person has a claim against the Government, that claim may be enforced as a right by proceedings taken against the Government for that purpose.

Civil proceedings by or against the Government shall be instituted by or against the Attorney General; and all documents required to be served on the Government for the purpose of or in connection with those proceedings shall be served on the Attorney General.

Parliament may by law make provision for the purposes of <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="250:1">clause (1)</span> of this Article.

In the title of any criminal proceedings, the prosecution shall be designated by the word “Uganda”.

Article 250 outlines how legal claims against the Government are filed, including the role of the Attorney General.

<div><strong>1</strong> Where a person has a claim against the Government, that claim may be enforced as a right by proceedings taken against the Government for that purpose.</div>

Article 250 Clause 1

Article 250: Suing the Government in Uganda

Legal proceedings by or against the Government

Government commissions and authorities created by the Constitution can set their own rules for how they work. They can give powers or assign duties to government officers to help them do their jobs. Any decision they make needs approval from more than half of all their members. They are allowed to act even if some members are absent or if a member's position is empty. This means these bodies can keep functioning without delays, but decisions still need a majority vote.

Any commission or authority established by this Constitution may, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, regulate its own procedure or confer powers or impose duties on any officer or authority of the Government for the purpose of discharging its functions.

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, any decision of any commission or authority established by this Constitution shall require the concurrence of a majority of all its members; and it may act notwithstanding the absence of any member or any vacancy in the office of a member.

In this Article, “commission or authority” includes a council and a committee of the commission or authority.

Article 251 allows commissions to regulate their own procedures and make decisions by majority vote, even with member absences.

Article 251: How Commissions and Authorities Work

Performance of functions of commissions and authorities

If you hold a public office like Vice President, Minister, MP, or other constitutional position, you can resign by writing a signed letter to the person or authority that appointed or elected you. Your resignation takes effect either according to the terms of your appointment, or if no terms exist, as soon as your resignation letter is received by the right person or office. This rule applies to many officials including the Speaker, Attorney General, members of commissions, and public officers. Parliament can also make additional laws about resignations for offices not listed here.

Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, any person who is appointed or elected to any office established by this Constitution may resign from that office by writing signed by that person addressed to the person or authority by whom he or she was appointed or elected.

The resignation of a person from any office established by this Constitution shall take effect in accordance with the terms on which that person was appointed or, if there are no such terms, when the writing signifying the resignation is received by the person or authority to whom it is addressed or by any person authorised by that person or authority to receive it.

a member of any commission, authority, council or committee established by this Constitution; and

For the purposes of <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="252:1">clause (1)</span> of this Article, “office” includes the office of—

Subject to the provisions of this Article, Parliament may make laws providing for the resignation of persons holding offices established by this Constitution not provided for in this Article.

Article 252 explains how officials under the Constitution may resign, including the process and when it takes effect

<div><strong>1</strong> Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, any person who is appointed or elected to any office established by this Constitution may resign from that office by writing signed by that person addressed to the person or authority by whom he or she was appointed or elected.</div>

Article 252 Clause 1

Article 252: How to Resign from a Government Job in Uganda

A person who leaves a government position can be reappointed later if they still meet the requirements. When someone is about to leave an office (like being on leave before resigning), the government can already appoint a replacement even while the current office holder is still there. If two people end up holding the same office because of this, the person appointed last is the one who actually carries out the duties of the position.

Where any person has vacated an office established by this Constitution, that person may, if qualified, again be appointed or elected to hold that office in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

Where a power is conferred by this Constitution on any person to make any appointment to any office, he or she may appoint a person to that office even while another person holds the office, when that other person is on leave of absence pending the relinquishment of the office.

Where two or more persons hold the same office by reason of an appointment made by virtue of <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="253:2">clause (2)</span> of this Article, then, for the purposes of any function conferred on the holder of that office, the person last appointed shall be taken to be the sole holder of that office.

Article 253 governs the re-appointment of former officeholders and temporary appointments during leave periods in Uganda's constitutional offices.

<div><strong>2</strong> Where a power is conferred by this Constitution on any person to make any appointment to any office, he or she may appoint a person to that office even while another person holds the office, when that other person is on leave of absence pending the relinquishment of the office.</div>

Article 253 Clause 2

Article 253: Re-appointments and Concurrent Appointments

Re-appointments and concurrent appointments

When you retire as a public officer, you are entitled to a pension that matches your rank, salary, and how long you worked. Your pension is tax-free, and the government must regularly review it to keep up with changes in the cost of living. You should receive your pension payments on time, regularly, and in a way that is easy for you to access.

A public officer shall, on retirement, receive such pension as is commensurate with his or her rank, salary and length of service.

The pension payable to any person shall be exempt from tax and shall be subject to periodic review to take account of changes in the value of money.

The payment of pension shall be prompt and regular and easily accessible to pensioners.

Article 254 guarantees fair, tax-exempt pensions for Ugandan public officers based on rank, salary and service length, with regular payments.

Article 254: How Pension Works for Public Officers

You have the right to demand a referendum on any issue, either nationwide or in your part of Uganda, once Parliament sets up the rules for how to do this. The government can also call a referendum to settle a disputed matter through the Electoral Commission. The outcome of any referendum is final and must be followed by everyone, including government agencies and organisations. However, a referendum cannot take away the fundamental human rights and freedoms protected by the Constitution. The courts still have the power to question whether a referendum was valid.

Parliament shall by law make provision for the right of citizens to demand the holding by the Electoral Commission of a referendum, whether national or in any particular part of Uganda, on any issue.

Parliament shall also make laws to provide for the holding of a referendum by the Electoral Commission upon a reference by the Government of any contentious matter to a referendum.

Where a referendum is held under this Article, the result of the referendum shall be binding on all organs and agencies of the State and on all persons and organisations in Uganda.

the fundamental and other human rights and freedoms guaranteed under Chapter Four of this Constitution; and

the power of the courts to question the validity of the referendum.

A referendum to which <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="255:3">clause (3)</span> applies, shall not affect—

Article 255 establishes rules for citizen-initiated and government-called referenda in Uganda, including their binding nature and limits

<div><strong>3</strong> Where a referendum is held under this Article, the result of the referendum shall be binding on all organs and agencies of the State and on all persons and organisations in Uganda.</div>

Article 255 Clause 3

Article 255: How Referendums Work in Uganda

You have the right to take an oath in a way that respects your religious beliefs. If you prefer not to swear, you can make a solemn affirmation instead, which carries the same legal effect. Officials must administer oaths in the prescribed legal manner to ensure they are valid and binding. This protects your conscience and ensures fairness in legal and official proceedings.

The oaths specified in the Fourth Schedule to this Constitution shall be administered in a manner prescribed by law.

Article 256 states that oaths listed in the Constitution’s Fourth Schedule must be given according to legally defined procedures.

Article 256: How oaths are taken in Uganda

The Constitution contains a set of definitions that help you understand the exact meaning of key words used throughout the document. For example, a 'child' is anyone under 18 years old, and 'court' refers to the established courts like the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. 'Government' means the Government of Uganda, and 'public officer' means anyone holding a job in the public service. These definitions ensure that when you read about your rights or government powers, the terms have a clear and consistent meaning. If you come across a word like 'functions', it includes both powers and duties, and 'session' of Parliament refers to a series of meetings within a 12-month period.

“Act of Parliament” means a law made by Parliament;

“sitting” includes a period during which Parliament is continuously sitting without adjournment and a period during which it is in committee;

“Article” means an Article of this Constitution;

“Speaker” means the Speaker of Parliament and “Deputy Speaker” shall be construed accordingly;

“child” means a person under the age of eighteen years;

“subordinate court” means a court subordinate to the High Court;

“court” means a court of judicature established by or under the authority of this Constitution;

“Supreme Court” means the Supreme Court of Uganda;

“Court of Appeal” means the Court of Appeal of Uganda;

“Uganda” means the Republic of Uganda.

“district” means a district referred to in <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="5">Article 5</span> of this Constitution;

“district council” means a district council established under <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="180">Article 180</span> of this Constitution;

“education service” means any part of the public service established as the education service by Parliament by law in conformity with this Constitution;

“financial year” means the period of twelve months ending on the thirtieth day of June in any year or such other day as Parliament may by law prescribe;

“functions” includes powers and duties;

“Gazette” means The Uganda Gazette and includes any supplement of that Gazette;

“Government” means the Government of Uganda;

“health service” means any part of the public service established as the health service by Parliament by law in conformity with this Constitution;

“High Court” means the High Court of Uganda;

“judgment” includes a decision, an order or decree of the court;

“judicial power” means the power to dispense justice among persons and between persons and the State under the laws of Uganda;

“Leadership Code of Conduct” means the Leadership Code of Conduct established under Chapter Fourteen of this Constitution;

“local government council” means a council referred to in Article 180 of this Constitution;

“Minister” means a Minister of the Government and includes a Minister of State and a Deputy Minister;

“oath of allegiance” means an oath of allegiance prescribed by this Constitution;

“Parliament” means the Parliament of Uganda;

“President” means the President of Uganda;

“public office” means an office in the public service;

“public officer” means a person holding or acting in any public office;

“public service” means service in a civil capacity of the Government or of a local government;

“session” means a series of meetings of Parliament within a period of twelve months;

In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires—

words referring to natural persons include a reference to corporations;

words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular;

words directing or empowering a public officer to do any act or thing, or otherwise applying to that officer by the designation of the office of that person, include the successors in office and all deputies and other assistants of that person.

unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to an office in the public service includes—

a reference to an office in the public service does not include a reference to the office of the President, the Vice President, the Speaker or Deputy Speaker, a Minister, the Attorney General, a member of Parliament or a member of any commission, authority, council or committee established by this Constitution.

In this Constitution unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to the holder of an office by the term designating that office includes a reference to any person for the time being lawfully acting in or performing the functions of that office.

For the purposes of this Constitution, a person shall not be considered as holding a public office by reason only of the fact that that person is in receipt of a pension or similar allowance in respect of service under the Government.

The power to remove a public officer from office includes the power to require or permit that officer to retire from public service; except that nothing in this clause confers on any person or authority power to require the retirement of a person holding a public office for which the method of retirement or removal is specifically provided for by this Constitution.

Any provision in this Constitution that vests in any person or authority power to remove a public officer from office shall not prejudice the power of any person or authority to abolish any office or any law providing for the compulsory retirement of public officers generally or any class of public officer on attaining an age specified in that law.

Where power is vested by this Constitution in any person or authority to appoint any person to act in or perform the functions of any office if the holder of the office is unable to perform those functions, no such appointment shall be called in question on the ground that the holder of the office was able to perform those functions.

Where any power is conferred by this Constitution to make any statutory instrument or rule, or pass any resolution, or give any direction, the power shall be construed as including the power, exercisable in like manner, to amend or revoke any such statutory instrument, rule, resolution or direction.

In this Constitution, references to the amendment of any of the provisions of this Constitution or any Act of Parliament include references to the alteration, modification or re-enactment, with or without amendment or modification of that provision, the suspension or repeal of that provision and the making of a different provision in place of that provision.

Article 257 provides official definitions for key terms used throughout Uganda's Constitution.

<div style='font-weight:600; margin-bottom:12px; padding-bottom:6px'>Local government councils</div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>1</strong> A local government shall be based on a council which shall be the highest political authority within its area of jurisdiction and which shall have legislative and executive powers to be exercised in accordance with this Constitution.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>2</strong> Parliament shall by law prescribe the composition, qualifications, functions and electoral procedures in respect of local government councils, except that—<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(a)</strong> the person elected as district chairperson of a local government shall be a member of the council;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(b)</strong> one-third of the membership of each local government council shall be reserved for women;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(c)</strong> any law enacted by virtue of this Article shall provide for affirmative action for all marginalised groups referred to in Article 32 of this Constitution; and</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(d)</strong> Parliament shall exercise similar powers of review as stipulated in Article 78(2) of this Constitution, in relation to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this clause.</div></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>3</strong> A person shall not be a member of a local government council unless that person is a citizen of Uganda.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div></div>

Article 180

<div style='font-weight:600; margin-bottom:12px; padding-bottom:6px'>The Republic of Uganda</div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>1</strong> Uganda is one Sovereign State and a Republic.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>2</strong> Subject to Article 178 of this Constitution, Uganda shall consist of—<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(a)</strong> regions administered by regional governments when districts have agreed to form regions as provided for in this Constitution;</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(b)</strong> Kampala; and</div><div style='margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>(c)</strong> the districts of Uganda,&lt;/br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;
as specified in the First Schedule to this Constitution, and such other districts as may be established in accordance with this Constitution or any other law.</div></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>3</strong> The territorial boundary of Uganda shall be as delineated in the Second Schedule to this Constitution.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>4</strong> Kampala located in Buganda shall be the capital city for Uganda and shall be administered by the Central Government.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>5</strong> The territorial boundary of Kampala shall be delineated by Act of Parliament.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong>6</strong> Parliament shall, by law, make provision for the administration and development of Kampala as the capital city.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div></div>

Article 5

Article 257: Meaning of Key Words in Uganda's Constitution

Laws passed by Parliament are valid even if they were approved by a simple voice vote of 'Ayes' and 'Noes' instead of a formal recorded vote. Also, a law remains valid even if the bill was never discussed or reviewed by a standing committee before being passed. This means you cannot challenge a law simply because of the voting procedure used or because a committee did not examine it. These rules apply to all acts, resolutions, and decisions made after the Constitution took effect.

no Act, resolution or decision passed or taken or purported to have been passed or taken by Parliament at any time after the commencement of this Constitution using the procedure of voting by voice vote, namely, by the voices of “Ayes” for those in favour of the question and “Noes” for those against the question, shall be taken to be invalid by reason of the use of that procedure;

no Act passed or purported to have been passed by Parliament at any time after the commencement of this Constitution shall be taken to be invalid by reason of the fact that the bill for the Act was not discussed and recommendations made on it to Parliament by a standing committee.

Subject to <span class="underline-gradient ref" data-tippy-content data-ref="92">Article 92</span> of this Constitution—

Article 258 validates parliamentary acts passed by voice vote or without committee review, subject to Article 92."

<div style='font-weight:600; margin-bottom:12px; padding-bottom:6px'>Restriction on retrospective legislation</div><div style='margin-top:10px; margin-bottom:6px;'><strong></strong> Parliament shall not pass any law to alter the decision or judgment of any court as between the parties to the decision or judgment.<div style='margin-left:16px; margin-top:6px; margin-bottom:4px;'></div></div>

Article 92

Article 258: Voice votes and skipping committee review

Ratification of certain acts relating to the procedure of Parliament

Chapter 17 / General and miscellaneous

247.Administration of estates

248.Law Reform Commission

249.Disaster Preparedness and Management Commission