Uganda Law Reform Commission Launches 7th Edition of Revised Principal Laws
By John Kusolo
Pricing and Cost of the 7th Revised Edition of the Principal Laws
a) A set of printed laws (14 volumes) costs two million five hundred thousand (UGX 2,500,000)
b) Subscription to access the Web and Mobile App content shall be as follows -
Bronze (5 Users), Daily 5000shs, Monthly 50,000 Shs, Annually 500,000shs.
Platinum (20 Users), Daily 5000 Shs, Monthly 50,000 Shs, Annually 10,000,000 Shs.
Diamond (100 Users), Daily 5,000 Shs, Diamond 50,000shs, Annually 15,000,000shs.
Enterprise ( 100+ Users), Daily 5000 Shs, 50,000 Shs Monthly, Annually, Quotation on request.
Mode of payment for a printed set of laws
Payments to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) are made using a Payment Reference Number (PRN) generated from the URA portal, go to payments, domestic tax, make a payment, choose other NTR, choose ULRC, choose sale of publications.
Payment of the PRN can be done in a bank or using Mobile money on MTN and Airtel (Payment, fees, and taxes, URA, enter the PRN).
In a significant move towards enhancing the legal framework of Uganda, the Uganda Law Reform Commission (ULRC) launched the 7th edition of the revised principal laws of Uganda on June 27, 2024. This new edition, encompassing laws as of December 31, 2023, marks a comprehensive update to the legal statutes, replacing the 6th edition published in 2003. The updated edition is set to come into effect on July 1, 2024.
The outgoing Chairperson of the ULRC, Dr. Pamela Tibihikirra Kalyegira, highlighted the extensive work undertaken to produce this updated compilation, popularly referred to as "The Red Volumes." This new edition consolidates all acts of Parliament from independence up to December 31, 2023, creating a single statute book that is now recognized as the judicially noticed version of the laws of Uganda.
*Attorney General's Mandate*
Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, underscoring the significance of this launch, stated that the document contains all Ugandan laws and will be effective starting July 1, 2024. This initiative was carried out under the mandate of the Attorney General as stipulated in the Law Revision Act No. 4 of 2020, which authorized the revision of the principal laws of Uganda.
*Comprehensive Revisions and Updates*
Dr. Kalyegira explained that the revision involved consolidating and incorporating all amendments to the law enacted since January 2001, including all laws passed by Parliament after 2000. The process also involved the omission of obsolete, repealed, and spent laws from the statute book and the assignment of new chapter numbers to the acts.
The revision did not alter or amend the substance of any enactment but focused on ensuring accuracy and coherence in the legal texts. Key changes included correcting grammatical and typographical errors, updating cross-references, and inserting footnotes and revisers' notes. Additionally, names of organizations, job titles, and other changes in administrative and governance structures were updated to reflect current realities.
*Wide Consultation and Collaboration*
The ULRC, during the preparation of this edition, engaged in extensive consultations with various stakeholders. These included government ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as private sector entities mandated to implement or use specific laws. This collaborative approach ensured that the revised edition accurately reflects the legal needs and realities of Uganda.
*Thematic Arrangement*
The revised edition is meticulously arranged into 14 volumes, each focusing on different thematic areas:
Volume I: Constitutions and Acts of general application.
Volume II: Laws relating to the administration of justice, courts, arbitration, charitable organizations, and ethics in government.
Volume III: Laws relating to agriculture, animals, banks, banking and financial institutions, and children.
Volume IV: Laws relating to commerce, industry, public officers.
Volume V: Laws relating to communications, companies, partnerships, and other associations.
Volume VI: Laws relating to animal law and procedure, local government, marriage, and divorce.
Volume VII: Laws relating to arts, entertainment, and recreation, energy and natural resources, finance, national symbols, and holidays.
Volume VIII: Laws relating to elections, environment, and foreign affairs.
Volume IX: Laws relating to insurance and statutory bodies.
Volume X: Laws relating to intellectual property, labor, and land.
Volume XI: Laws relating to cultural leaders, education and libraries, estates, trusts and succession, Parliament, political systems, and the President.
Volume XII: Laws relating to civil law and procedures, professions and occupations, and public health.
Volume XIII: Laws relating to citizenship, nationality and immigration, fish and game, security, defense, public order, and statistics.
Volume XIV: Laws relating to regulated activities, taxation, transportation, and war legislation.
Accessibility and Modernization
In a bid to enhance accessibility, the laws are now available in both print and electronic formats. The ULRC has developed an online system that allows users to access the laws of Uganda through a web and mobile app, providing easy and quick access to the legal texts.
The launch of the 7th edition of the revised principal laws of Uganda represents a significant milestone in the country’s legal history. By consolidating and updating the legal statutes, Uganda ensures that its laws are coherent, accessible, and reflective of current realities. This comprehensive revision not only facilitates better understanding and implementation of the laws but also strengthens the legal framework essential for the country's governance and development.
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