This is the latest version of this Ordinance.
Related documents
- Is amended by Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023
- Is amended by Succession (Amendment) Act, 2022
Uganda
Succession Act
Chapter 268
- Commenced on 15 February 1906
- [This is the version of this document at 31 December 2023.]
- [Note: This legislation was revised and consolidated as at 31 December 2000 and 31 December 2023 by the Law Reform Commission of Uganda. All subsequent amendments have been researched and applied by Laws.Africa for ULII.]
- [Amended by Succession (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 3 of 2022) on 31 May 2022]
- [Amended by Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023 (Act 17 of 2023) on 28 July 2023]
Part I – Preliminary
1. Act to constitute law of Uganda in cases of succession
Except as provided by this Act, or by any other law for the time being in force, the provisions in this Act shall constitute the law of Uganda applicable to all cases of intestate or testamentary succession.2. Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—“administrator” means a person appointed by a court to administer the estate of a deceased person when there is no executor or executrix;“child”, “children”, “issue” and “lineal descendant” include adopted children;“codicil” means an instrument explaining, altering or adding to a will and which is considered as being part of the will;“court” means the High Court or a magistrate’s court other than a magistrate’s court presided over by a magistrate grade II;“currency point” has the value assigned to it in Schedule 1 to this Act;“customary heir or heiress” means a person recognised under the rites and customs of a particular tribe or community of a deceased person as being the customary successor of that person;“daughter” includes a daughter adopted in a manner recognised under the laws of Uganda;“dependent relative” includes parent, brother, sister, niece, nephew, grandparent or grandchild of the deceased, who on the date of death of the deceased, was wholly dependent on the deceased for the provision of the ordinary necessities of life suitable to a person of his or her station;“disability” has the meaning assigned to it under the Persons with Disabilities Act;“executor” or “executrix” means a person appointed in the last will of a deceased person to execute the terms of the will;“grandchild” means a son or daughter of a son or daughter;“grandparent” means a parent of a parent;“guardian” means a person having legal and parental responsibility for a minor child and includes a customary guardian;“immovable property” includes land, incorporeal tenements and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to things attached to the earth;“lineal descendant” means a person who is descended in a direct line from the deceased and includes a child and a grandchild of the deceased and any other person related to the deceased in a direct descending line up to six degrees descending;“minor” means any person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, and “minority” means the status of such person;“movable property” means property of every description except “immovable property”;“parent” includes a stepparent and an adoptive parent;“personal representative” means the person appointed by law to administer the estate or any part of the estate of a deceased person;“probate” means the grant by a court of competent jurisdiction authorising the executor or executrix named in the last will of testator or testatrix to administer the estate of the testator or testatrix;“son” includes a son adopted in a manner recognised under the laws of Uganda;“spouse” means a husband or wife married in accordance with the laws of Uganda or in accordance with the laws of another country and recognised in Uganda as a valid marriage;Part II – Domicile
3. Succession to deceased person’s immovable and movable property
4. Domicile in respect of succession to movables
A person can have one domicile only for the purpose of succession to his or her movable property.5. Continuance of domicile of origin
The domicile of origin prevails until a new domicile has been acquired.6. Acquisition of new domicile
A person acquires a new domicile by taking up his or her fixed habitation in a country which is not that of his or her domicile of origin, except that a person is not to be considered as having taken up his or her fixed habitation in Uganda merely by reason of his or her residing there in the exercise of any profession or calling.7. Special mode of acquiring domicile in Uganda
A person may acquire a domicile in Uganda by making and depositing in some office in Uganda to be appointed by the Attorney General a declaration in writing under his or her hand of his or her desire to acquire such domicile, provided that he or she has been resident in Uganda for one year immediately preceding the time he or she makes the declaration.8. Domicile not acquired by residence as representative of foreign Government, etc.
A person who is appointed by the Government of one country to be its ambassador, consul or other representative in another country does not acquire a domicile in the latter country by reason only of residing there in pursuance of the appointment, nor does any other person acquire such domicile by reason only of residing with that person as part of his or her family or as a servant.9. Continuance of new domicile
A new domicile continues until the former domicile has been resumed or another has been acquired.10. Domicile of origin of child
11. Domicile of choice
12. Acquisition of new domicile by minor
Except as provided in section 13, a person cannot during minority acquire a new domicile.13. Acquisition of new domicile by mentally impaired person
A mentally impaired person cannot acquire a new domicile in any other way than by his or her domicile following the domicile of another person.14. Succession to movable property in Uganda
Where a deceased leaves movable property in Uganda, succession to the property shall, in the absence of proof of any domicile elsewhere, be regulated by the laws of Uganda.Part III – Consanguinity
15. Kindred or consanguinity
Kindred or consanguinity is the connection or relation of persons descended from the same stock or common ancestor.16. Lineal consanguinity
17. Collateral consanguinity
18. Persons held for purpose of succession to be similarly related to deceased
For the purposes of succession, there is no distinction between—19. Mode of computing degrees of kindred
Part IV – Intestacy
20. Property of deceased dying intestate
A person dies intestate in respect of all property which has not been disposed of by a valid testamentary disposition.21. Devolution of property of deceased dying intestate
All property in an intestate estate devolves upon the personal representative of the deceased upon trust for those persons entitled to the property under this Act.Part V – Distribution of intestate’s property
22. Devolution of residential holdings
23. Distribution of property on death of intestate
24. Distribution of property between members of same class
25. Reservation of principal and other residential property
A spouse or lineal descendant of an intestate occupying a principal residential property or any other residential property under section 22 shall not be required to bring that occupation into account in assessing any share in the property of an intestate to which the spouse, lineal descendant or child may be entitled under section 23.26. Separation of spouses
27. Interest of State on default
28. Children’s advancement
Where a share in the property of an intestate is due to a child or any lineal descendant of a child of the intestate, no money or other property which the intestate may, during his or her life, have paid, given or settled to, or for the advancement of, the child to whom or to whose descendant the share is due shall be taken into account in estimating the share.Part VI – Wills and codicils
29. Persons capable of making wills
30. Maintenance of spouse, children, lineal descendants and dependent relatives to be made in will
31. Power of court to order maintenance
32. Time within which application must be made
33. Effect and form of order for maintenance
34. Variation of orders
35. Interim orders
36. Will obtained by fraud, undue influence, duress, coercion, mistake of fact or abuse of position of trust or vulnerability
A will or any part of a will, the making of which has been obtained by fraud, undue influence, duress, coercion, mistake of fact or by abuse of position of trust or vulnerability, which takes away the free will of the testator or testatrix, is void.37. Will may be revoked or altered
A will is liable to be revoked or altered by its maker at any time when he or she is competent to dispose of his or her property by will.38. Form of will
A testator or testatrix may, at his or her discretion, adopt for use the form of the will set out in Schedule 4 to this Act.Part VII – Guardianship
39. Testamentary guardian
40. Statutory guardian
41. Customary guardian
42. Relationship between surviving parent and appointed guardian
43. Power of court to remove guardian
44. Powers and duties of guardian
45. Termination of guardianship
46. Application of Children Act to guardianship under this Act
Part VIII – Execution of unprivileged wills
47. Execution of unprivileged wills
48. Incorporation of papers by reference
If a testator or testatrix, in a will or codicil duly attested, refers to any other document then actually written, as expressing any part of his or her intentions, that document shall be considered as forming a part of the will or codicil in which it is referred to.Part IX – Privileged wills
49. Privileged wills
Any member of the Defence Forces being employed in an expedition or engaged in actual warfare, or any mariner being at sea, may, if he or she has completed the age of eighteen years, dispose of his or her property by a will made as is provided in section 53, hereafter referred to as a “privileged will”.50. Mode of making privileged wills
Part X – Attestation, revocation, alteration and revival of wills
51. Effect of gift to attesting witnesses
52. Witness not disqualified by interest or by being executor or executrix
53. Revocation of will by marriage of testator or testatrix
54. Revocation of unprivileged will or codicil
No unprivileged will or codicil, or any part thereof, shall be revoked otherwise than by marriage, or by another will or codicil or by some writing declaring an intention to revoke the unprivileged will or codicil, and executed in the manner in which an unprivileged will is in this Act required to be executed, or by the burning, tearing or otherwise destroying of the will or codicil by the testator or testatrix, or by some person in his or her presence and by his or her direction, with the intention of revoking it.55. Effect of alteration in unprivileged will
No obliteration, interlineation or other alteration made in any unprivileged will after the execution of the will shall have any effect, except so far as the words or meaning of the will have been thereby rendered illegible or undiscemible, unless the alteration is executed in like manner as is in this Act required for the execution of the will; except that the will, as so altered, shall be deemed to be duly executed if the signature of the testator or testatrix and the subscription of the witnesses are made in the margin or on some other part of the will opposite or near to the alteration or at the foot or end of, or opposite to, a memorandum referring to the alteration, and written at the end or some other part of the will.56. Revocation of privileged will or codicil
57. Revival of unprivileged will
Part XI – Construction of wills
58. Wording of will
It is not necessary that any technical words or terms of art shall be used in a will, but only that the wording shall be such that the intentions of the testator or testatrix can be known from the wording.59. Inquiries to determine questions as to object or subject of will
For the purpose of determining questions as to what person or what property is denoted by any words used in a will, a court shall inquire into every material fact relating to the persons who claim to be interested under the will, the property which is claimed as the subject of disposition, the circumstances of the testator or testatrix and of his or her family, and into every fact a knowledge of which may conduce to the right application of the words which the testator or testatrix has used.60. Misnomer or misdescription of object
61. When words may be supplied
Where any word material to the full expression of the meaning has been omitted, it may be supplied by the context.62. Rejection of erroneous particulars in description of subject
If the thing which the testator or testatrix intended to bequeath can be sufficiently identified from the description of it given in the will, but some parts of the description do not apply, such parts of the description shall be rejected as erroneous and the bequest shall take effect.63. When part of description may not be rejected as erroneous
64. Extrinsic evidence admissible in case of latent ambiguity
Where the words of the will are unambiguous, but it is found by extrinsic evidence that they admit of applications, one only of which can have been intended by the testator or testatrix, extrinsic evidence may be taken to show which of these applications was intended.65. Extrinsic evidence inadmissible in case of patent ambiguity or deficiency
Where there is an ambiguity or deficiency on the face of the will, no extrinsic evidence as to the intentions of the testator or testatrix shall be admitted.66. Meaning of clause to be collected from entire will
The meaning of any clause in a will is to be collected from the entire instrument, and all its parts are to be construed with reference to each other, and for this purpose a codicil is to be considered as part of the will.67. When words may be understood in restricted sense, and when in sense wider than usual
General words may be understood in a restricted sense where it may be collected from the will that the testator or testatrix meant to use them in a restricted sense; and words may be understood in a wider sense than that which they usually bear, where it may be collected from the other words of the will that the testator or testatrix meant to use them in the wider sense.68. Which of two possible constructions preferred
Where a clause is susceptible of two meanings, according to one of which it has some effect, and according to the other it can have none, the former is to be preferred.69. No part rejected if reasonable construction possible
No part of a will is to be rejected as destitute of meaning if it is possible to put a reasonable construction upon it.70. Interpretation of words repeated in different parts of will
If the same words occur in different parts of the same will, they must be taken to have been used everywhere in the same sense, unless there appears an intention to the contrary.71. Intention of testator or testatrix to be effected as far as possible
The intention of the testator or testatrix is not to be set aside because it cannot take effect to the full extent, but effect is to be given to it as far as possible.72. Last of two inconsistent clauses prevails
Where two clauses or gifts in a will are irreconcilable, so that they cannot possibly stand together, the last shall prevail.73. Will or bequest void for uncertainty
A will or bequest not expressive of any definite intention is void for uncertainty.74. Words describing subject refer to property answering description at death of testator or testatrix
The description contained in a will of property the subject of gift, shall, unless a contrary intention appears by the will, be deemed to refer to and comprise the property answering that description at the death of the testator or testatrix.75. Power of appointment executed by general bequest
Unless a contrary intention appears by the will, a bequest of the estate of the testator or testatrix shall be construed to include any property which he or she may have power to appoint by will to any object he or she may think proper, and shall operate as an execution of that power; and a bequest of property described in a general manner shall be construed to include any property to which the description may extend, which he or she may have power to appoint by will to any object he or she may think proper, and shall operate as an execution of that power.76. Implied gift to objects of power in default of appointment
Where property is bequeathed to or for the benefit of such of certain objects as a specified person shall appoint, or for the benefit of certain objects in such proportions as a specified person shall appoint, and the will does not provide for the event of no appointment being made, if the power given by the will is not exercised the property belongs to all the objects of the power in equal shares.77. Bequest to “heirs”, etc. of particular person without qualifying terms
Where a bequest is made to the “heirs” or “right heirs” or “relations” or “nearest relations” or “family” or “kindred” or “nearest of kin” or “next of kin” of a particular person, without any qualifying terms and the class so designated forms the direct and independent object of the bequest, the property bequeathed shall be distributed as if it had belonged to such person, and he or she had died intestate in respect of it, leaving assets for the payment of his or her debts independently of that property.78. Bequest to “representatives”, etc. of particular person
Where a bequest is made to the “representatives” or “legal representatives” or “personal representatives” or “executors or executrixes or administrators or administratrices” of a particular person and the class so designated forms the direct and independent object of the bequest, the property bequeathed shall be distributed as if it had belonged to such person, and he or she had died intestate in respect of it.79. Bequest without words of limitation
Where property is bequeathed to any person, he or she is entitled to the whole interest of the testator or testatrix in the property, unless it appears from the will that only a restricted interest was intended for him or her.80. Bequest in alternative
Where property is bequeathed to a person, with a bequest in the alternative to another person or to a class of persons, if a contrary intention does not appear by the will, the legatee first named shall be entitled to the legacy, if he or she is alive at the time when it takes effect; but, if he or she is then dead, the person or class of persons named in the second branch of the alternative shall take the legacy.81. Effect of words describing class added to bequest to person
Where property is bequeathed to a person, and words are added which describe a class of persons, but do not denote them as direct objects of a distinct and independent gift, such a person is entitled to the whole interest of the testator or testatrix in the property, unless a contrary intention appears by the will.82. Bequest to class of persons under general description only
Where a bequest is made to a class of persons under a general description only, no one to whom the words of the description are not in their ordinary sense applicable shall take the legacy.83. Construction of terms
84. Construction where will purports to make two bequests to same person
85. Constitution of residuary legatee
A residuary legatee may be constituted by any words that show an intention on the part of the testator or testatrix that the person designated shall take the surplus or residue of his or her property.86. Property to which residuary legatee entitled
Under a residuary bequest, the legatee is entitled to all property belonging to the testator or testatrix at the time of his or her death of which he or she has not made any other testamentary disposition which is capable of taking effect.87. Time of vesting of legacy in general terms
If a legacy is given in general terms, without specifying the time when it is to be paid, the legatee has a vested interest in it from the day of the death of the testator or testatrix, and if he or she dies without having received it, it shall pass to his or her representatives.88. In what case legacy lapses
89. One of two joint legatees dying before testator or testatrix
If a legacy is given to two persons jointly, and one of them dies before the testator or testatrix, the other legatee takes the whole.90. Words showing intention of testator or testatrix to give distinct shares
Where a legacy is given to legatees in words which show that the testator or testatrix intended to give them distinct shares of it, then, if any legatee dies before the testator or testatrix, so much of the legacy as was intended for him or her shall fall into the residue of the property of the testator or testatrix.91. Lapsed share
Where the share that lapses is a part of the general residue bequeathed by the will, that share shall go as undisposed of.92. When bequest to child or lineal descendant of testator or testatrix does not lapse on his or her death in lifetime of testator or testatrix
Where a bequest has been made to any child or other lineal descendant of the testator or testatrix, and the legatee dies in the lifetime of the testator or testatrix, but any lineal descendant of his or hers survives the testator or testatrix, the bequest shall not lapse, but shall take effect as if the death of the legatee had happened immediately after the death of the testator or testatrix, unless a contrary intention appears by the will.93. Bequest to legatee for benefit of another does not lapse by legatee’s death
Where a bequest is made to one person for the benefit of another, the legacy does not lapse by the death, in the lifetime of the testator or testatrix, of the person to whom the bequest is made.94. Survivorship in case of bequest to described class
Where a bequest is made simply to a described class of persons, the thing bequeathed shall go only to such of them as are alive at the death of the testator or testatrix; except that if property is bequeathed to a class of persons described as standing in a particular degree of kindred to a specified individual, but their possession of it is deferred until a time later than the death of the testator or testatrix by reason of a prior bequest or otherwise, the property shall at that time go to such of them as are then alive, and to the representatives of any of them who have died since the death of the testator or testatrix.Part XII – Void bequests
95. Bequest to person who is not in existence at death of testator or testatrix
Where a bequest is made to a person by a particular description, and there is no person in existence at the death of the testator or testatrix who answers the description, the bequest is void; except that if property is bequeathed to a person described as standing in a particular degree of kindred to a specified individual, but his or her possession of it is deferred until a time later than the death of the testator or testatrix by reason of a prior bequest or otherwise, and if a person answering to the description is alive at the death of the testator or testatrix, or comes into existence between that event and such later time, the property shall, at such later time, go to that person, or, if he or she is dead, to his or her representatives.96. Bequest to person not in existence at death of testator or testatrix, subject to prior bequest
Where a bequest is made to a person not in existence at the time of the death of the testator or testatrix subject to a prior bequest contained in the will, the later bequest shall be void, unless it comprises the whole of the remaining interest of the testator or testatrix in the thing bequeathed.97. Rule against perpetuity
No bequest is valid by which the vesting of the thing bequeathed may be delayed beyond the lifetime of one or more persons living at the death of the testator or testatrix, and the minority of some person who is in existence at the expiration of that period, and to whom, if he or she attains full age, the thing bequeathed is to belong.98. Bequest to class, some of whom may come under section 96 or 97
If a bequest is made to a class of persons, with regard to some of whom it is inoperative by reason of sections 96 and 97 or either of them, the bequest shall be wholly void.99. Bequest to take effect on failure of bequest void under section 96, 97 or 98
Where a bequest is void by reason of any of the provisions of section 96, 97 or 98, any bequest contained in the same will and intended to take effect after or upon failure of such prior bequest is also void.100. Effect of direction for accumulation
A direction to accumulate the income arising from any property shall be void, and the property shall be disposed of as if no accumulation had been directed; except that where the property is immovable, or where accumulation is directed to be made from the death of the testator or testatrix, the direction shall be valid in respect only of the income arising from the property within one year next following the death of the testator or testatrix, and at the end of the year the property and income shall be disposed of respectively as if the period during which the accumulation has been directed to be made had elapsed.101. Bequest to religious or charitable causes
A person having a nephew or niece or any nearer relative shall not have power to bequeath any property to religious or charitable uses except by a will executed not less than twelve months before his or her death and deposited within six months from its execution in some place provided by law for the safe custody of the wills of living persons.Part XIII – Vesting of legacies
102. Vesting of legacy when payment or possession postponed
103. Vesting when legacy contingent upon specified uncertain event
104. Vesting of bequest to members of class attaining particular age
Where a bequest is made only to such members of a class as shall have attained a particular age, a person who has not attained that age cannot have a vested interest in the legacy.Part XIV – Onerous bequests
105. Onerous bequest
Where a bequest imposes an obligation on the legatee, he or she can take nothing by it unless he or she accepts it fully.106. One of two separate and independent bequests to same person may be accepted
Where a will contains two separate and independent bequests to the same person, the legatee is at liberty to accept one of them, and refuse the other, although the former may be beneficial and the latter onerous.Part XV – Contingent bequests
107. Bequest contingent upon specified uncertain event
Where a legacy is given if a specified uncertain event shall happen, and no time is mentioned in the will for the occurrence of that event, the legacy cannot take effect unless the event happens before the period when the fund bequeathed is payable or distributable.108. Bequest to persons surviving at some period not specified
Where a bequest is made to such of certain persons as shall be surviving at some period, but the exact period is not specified, the legacy shall go to such of them as shall be alive at the time of payment or distribution, unless a contrary intention appears by the will.Part XVI – Conditional bequests
109. Bequest upon impossible condition
A bequest upon an impossible condition is void.110. Bequest upon illegal, etc. condition
A bequest upon a condition the fulfilment of which would be contrary to law or to morality is void.111. Fulfilment of condition precedent to vesting of legacy
Where a will imposes a condition to be fulfilled before the legatee can take a vested interest in the thing bequeathed, the condition shall be considered to have been fulfilled if it has been substantially complied with.112. Bequest to one person and, on failure of prior bequest, to another
Where there is a bequest to one person, and a bequest of the same thing to another, if the prior bequest shall fail, the second bequest shall take effect upon the failure of the prior bequest although the failure may not have occurred in the manner contemplated by the testator or testatrix.113. When second bequest not to take effect on failure of first
Where a will shows an intention that a second bequest shall take effect only in the event of the first bequest failing in a particular manner, the second bequest shall not take effect unless the prior bequest fails in that particular manner.114. Bequest over, conditional upon happening of specified uncertain event
115. Condition must be strictly fulfilled
An ulterior bequest of the kind contemplated by section 114 cannot take effect unless the condition is strictly fulfilled.116. Original bequest not affected by invalidity of second
If the ulterior bequest is not valid, the original bequest is not affected by it.117. Bequest conditioned that it shall cease to have effect in certain cases
A bequest may be made with the condition superadded that it shall cease to have effect in case a specified uncertain event shall happen or in case a specified uncertain event shall not happen.118. Condition must not be invalid under section 103
In order that a condition that a bequest shall cease to have effect may be valid, it is necessary that the event to which it relates is one which could legally constitute the condition of a bequest as contemplated by section 103.119. Result of legatee rendering impossible or indefinitely postponing act for which no time specified
Where a bequest is made with a condition superadded that, unless the legatee shall perform a certain act, the subject matter of the bequest shall go to another person, or the bequest shall cease to have effect, but no time is specified for the performance of the act, if the legatee takes any step which renders impossible or indefinitely postpones the performance of the act required, the legacy shall go as if the legatee had died without performing the act.120. Performance of condition, precedent or subsequent
Where a will requires an act to be performed by the legatee within a specified time, either as a condition to be fulfilled before the legacy is enjoyed, or as a condition upon the non-fulfilment of which the subject matter of the bequest is to go over to another person, or the bequest is to cease to have effect, the act must be performed within the time specified unless the performance of it is prevented by fraud, in which case such further time shall be allowed as shall be requisite to make up for the delay caused by the fraud.Part XVII – Bequests with directions as to application or enjoyment
121. Direction that fund be employed in particular manner
Where a fund is bequeathed absolutely to or for the benefit of any person, but the will contains a direction that it shall be applied or enjoyed in a particular manner, the legatee shall be entitled to receive the fund as if the will had contained no such direction.122. Direction that mode of enjoyment of absolute bequest is to be restricted
Where a testator or testatrix absolutely bequeaths a fund, so as to sever it from his or her own estate, but directs that the mode of enjoyment of it by the legatee shall be restricted so as to secure a specified benefit for the legatee, if that benefit cannot be obtained for the legatee, the fund belongs to the legatee as if the will had contained no such direction.123. Bequest of fund for certain purposes, some of which cannot be fulfilled
Where a testator or testatrix does not absolutely bequeath a fund so as to sever it from his or her own estate but gives it for certain purposes and part of those purposes cannot be fulfilled, the fund, or so much of it as has not been exhausted upon the objects contemplated by the will, remains a part of the estate of the testator or testatrix.Part XVIII – Bequests to an executor or executrix
124. Legacy to executor or executrix
If a legacy is bequeathed to a person who is named an executor or executrix of the will, he or she shall not take the legacy unless he or she proves the will, or otherwise manifests an intention to act as executor or executrix.125. Specific legacy defined
Where a testator or testatrix bequeaths to any person a specified part of his or her property which is distinguished from all other parts of his or her property, the legacy is said to be specific.126. Bequest of sum certain where stocks, etc. in which invested are described
Where a sum certain is bequeathed, the legacy is not specific merely because the stocks, funds or securities in which it is invested are described in the will.127. Bequest of stock where testator or testatrix had equal or greater amount of stock of same kind
Where a bequest is made, in general terms, of a certain amount of any kind of stock, the legacy is not specific merely because the testator or testatrix was, at the date of his or her will, possessed of stock of the specified kind, to an equal or greater amount than the amount bequeathed.128. Bequest of money where payment postponed in certain way
A money legacy is not specific merely because the will directs its payment to be postponed until some part of the property of the testator or testatrix shall have been reduced to a certain form, or remitted to a certain place.129. When enumerated articles not deemed specifically bequeathed
Where a will contains a bequest of the residue of the property of the testator or testatrix along with an enumeration of some items of property not previously bequeathed, the articles enumerated shall not be deemed to be specifically bequeathed.130. Retention of specific bequest to several persons in succession
Where property is specifically bequeathed to two or more persons in succession, it shall be retained in the form in which the testator or testatrix left it, although it may be of such a nature that its value is continually decreasing.131. Sale and investment of proceeds of property bequeathed to two or more persons in succession
Where property comprised in a bequest to two or more persons in succession is not specifically bequeathed, it shall, in the absence of any direction to the contrary, be sold, and the proceeds of the sale shall be invested in such securities as the High Court may, by any general rule to be made from time to time, authorise or direct; and the fund thus constituted shall be enjoyed by the successive legatees according to the terms of the will.132. Non-abatement of specific legacies
If there is a deficiency of assets to pay legacies, a specific legacy is not liable to abate with the general legacies.Part XX – Demonstrative legacies
133. Demonstrative legacies
134. Order of payment when legacy directed to be paid out of fund specifically bequeathed
Where a portion of a fund is specifically bequeathed, and a legacy is directed to be paid out of the same fund, the portion specifically bequeathed shall first be paid to the legatee, and the demonstrative legacy shall be paid out of the residue of the fund, and so far as the residue shall be deficient, out of the general assets of the testator or testatrix.Part XXI – Ademption of legacies
135. Ademption defined
If anything which has been specifically bequeathed does not belong to the testator or testatrix at the time of his or her death, or has been converted into property of a different kind, the legacy is adeemed; that is, it cannot take effect by reason of the subject matter having been withdrawn from the operation of the will.136. Non-ademption of demonstrative legacy
A demonstrative legacy is not adeemed by reason that the property on which it is charged by the will does not exist at the time of the death of the testator or testatrix or has been converted into property of a different kind; but it shall in such case be paid out of the general assets of the testator or testatrix.137. Ademption of specific bequest of right to receive something from third party
Where the thing specifically bequeathed is the right to receive something of value from a third party and the testator or testatrix himself or herself receives it, the bequest is adeemed.138. Ademption pro tanto by testator’s or testatrix’s receipt of part of entire thing specifically bequeathed
The receipt by the testator or testatrix of a part of an entire thing specifically bequeathed shall operate as an ademption of the legacy to the extent of the sum so received.139. Ademption pro tanto by testator’s or testatrix’s receipt of portion of entire fund or stock of which portion has been specifically bequeathed
If a portion of an entire fund or stock is specifically bequeathed, the receipt by the testator or testatrix of a portion of the fund or stock shall operate as an ademption only to the extent of the amount so received; and the residue of the fund or stock shall be applicable to the discharge of the specific legacy.140. Order of payment where portion of fund specifically bequeathed to one legatee, and legacy charged on same fund to another, and remainder insufficient to pay both legacies
Where a portion of the fund is specifically bequeathed to one legatee, and a legacy charged on the same fund is bequeathed to another legatee, if the testator or testatrix receives a portion of that fund, and the remainder of the fund is insufficient to pay both the specific and the demonstrative legacy, the specific legacy shall be paid first, and the residue, if any, of the fund shall be applied, so far as it will extend, in payment of the demonstrative legacy, and the rest of the demonstrative legacy shall be paid out of the general assets of the testator or testatrix.141. Ademption where stock, specifically bequeathed, does not exist
Where stock which has been specifically bequeathed does not exist at the death of the testator or testatrix, the legacy is adeemed.142. Ademption pro tanto where stock, specifically bequeathed, exists in part only
Where stock which has been specifically bequeathed exists only in part at the death of the testator or testatrix, the legacy is adeemed so far as regards that part of the stock which has ceased to exist.143. Non-ademption of bequest of goods described as connected with certain place
A specific bequest of goods under a description connecting them with a certain place is not adeemed by reason that they have been removed from that place from any temporary cause, or by fraud, or without knowledge or sanction of the testator or testatrix.144. When removal of thing bequeathed does not constitute ademption
The removal of a thing bequeathed from the place in which it is stated in the will to be situate does not constitute an ademption, where the place is only referred to in order to complete the description of what the testator or testatrix meant to bequeath.145. When thing bequeathed is valuable to be received by testator or testatrix from third person and testator or testatrix or his or her representative receives it
Where the thing bequeathed is not the right to receive something of value from a third person, but the money or other commodity which shall be received from the third person by the testator or testatrix himself or herself or by his or her representatives, the receipt of the sum of money or other commodity by the testator or testatrix shall not constitute an ademption; but, if he or she mixes it with the general mass of his or her property, the legacy is adeemed.146. Change by operation of law of subject of specific bequest between date of will and death of testator or testatrix
Where a thing specifically bequeathed undergoes a change between the date of the will and the death of the testator or testatrix, and the change takes place by operation of law, or in the course of execution of the provisions of any legal instrument under which the thing bequeathed was held, the legacy is not adeemed by reason of that change.147. Change without knowledge of testator or testatrix
Where a thing specifically bequeathed undergoes a change between the date of the will and the death of the testator or testatrix, and the change takes place without the knowledge or sanction of the testator or testatrix, the legacy is not adeemed.148. Stock specifically bequeathed lent to third party
Where stock, which has been specifically bequeathed, is lent to a third party on condition that it shall be replaced, and it is replaced accordingly, the legacy is not adeemed.149. Stock specifically bequeathed sold but replaced
Where stock specifically bequeathed is sold, and an equal quantity of the same stock is afterwards purchased, and belongs to the testator or testatrix at his or her death, the legacy is not adeemed.Part XXII – Payment of liabilities in respect of subsect of bequest
150. Non-liability of executor or executrix to exonerate specific legatees
151. Completion of title of testator or testatrix
Where anything is to be done to complete the title of the testator or testatrix to the thing bequeathed, it is to be done at the cost of the estate of the testator or testatrix.152. Immovable property for which rent payable periodically
Where there is a bequest of any interest in immovable property, in respect of which payment in the nature of land revenue, or in the nature of rent, has to be made periodically, the estate of the testator or testatrix shall, as between the estate and the legatee, make good such payments or a proportion of them up to the day of his or her death.153. Stock in joint stock company
In the absence of any direction in the will where there is a specific bequest of stock in a joint stock company, if any call or other payment is due from the testator or testatrix at the time of his or her death in respect of the stock, the call or payment shall, as between the estate of the testator or testatrix and the legatee, be borne by the estate; but, if any call or other payment shall, after the death of the testator or testatrix, become due in respect of the stock, the call or payment shall, as between the estate of the testator or testatrix and the legatee, be bome by the legatee if he or she accepts the bequest.Part XXIII – Bequest of things described in general terms
154. Bequest of things in general terms
If there is a bequest of something described in general terms, the executor or executrix must purchase for the legatee what may reasonably be considered to answer the description.Part XXIV – Bequest of interest or produce of fund
155. Bequest of interest or produce of fund
Where the interest or produce of a fund is bequeathed to any person, and the will affords no indication of an intention that the enjoyment of the bequest should be of limited duration, the principal as well as the interest shall belong to the legatee.Part XXV – Bequest of annuities
156. Annuity created by will payable for life only
Where an annuity is created by will, the legatee is entitled to receive it for his or her life only, unless a contrary intention appears by the will; and this provision shall not be varied by the circumstance that the annuity is directed to be paid out of the property generally or that a sum of money is bequeathed to be invested in the purchase of it.157. Period of vesting where will directs that annuity be provided out of proceeds of property, etc.
Where a will directs that an annuity shall be provided for any person out of the proceeds of property, or out of property generally, or where money is bequeathed to be invested in the purchase of an annuity for any person, on the death of the testator or testatrix the legacy vests in interest in the legatee, and he or she is entitled, at his or her option, to have an annuity purchased for him or her, or to receive the money appropriated for that purpose by the will.158. Abatement of annuity
Where an annuity is bequeathed, but the assets of the testator or testatrix are not sufficient to pay all the legacies given by the will, the annuity shall abate in the same proportion as the other pecuniary legacies given by the will.159. Gift of annuity and residuary gift
Where there is a gift of an annuity and a residuary gift, the whole of the annuity is to be satisfied before any part of the residue is paid to the residuary legatee, and, if necessary, the capital of the estate of the testator or testatrix shall be applied for that purpose.Part XXVI – Legacies to creditors and portioners
160. Legacy to creditor
Where a debtor bequeaths a legacy to his or her creditor, and it does not appear from the will that the legacy is meant as a satisfaction of the debt, the creditor shall be entitled to the legacy as well as to the amount of the debt.161. Child prima facie entitled to legacy as well as portion
Where a parent, who is under obligation by contract to provide a portion for a child, fails to do so, and afterwards bequeaths a legacy to the child, and does not intimate by his or her will that the legacy is meant as a satisfaction of the portion, the child shall be entitled to receive the legacy as well as the portion.162. No ademption by subsequent provision for legatee
A bequest shall not be wholly or partially adeemed by a subsequent provision made by settlement or otherwise for the legatee.Part XXVII – Election
163. Circumstances in which election takes place
Where a person, by his or her will, professes to dispose of something of which he or she has no right to dispose, the person to whom the thing belongs shall elect either to confirm the disposition or to dissent from it, and, in the latter case, he or she shall relinquish any benefits which may have been provided for him or her by the will.164. Devolution of interest relinquished by owner
An interest relinquished under section 163 shall devolve as if it had not been disposed of by the will in favour of the legatee, subject, nevertheless, to the charge of making good to the legatee the amount or value of the gift attempted to be given to him or her by the will.165. Belief of testator or testatrix as to his or her ownership immaterial
Sections 162 and 164 shall apply whether the testator or testatrix does or does not believe that which he or she professes to dispose of by his or her will to be his or her own.166. Bequest for person’s benefit
A bequest for the benefit of a person is, for the purpose of election, the same thing as a bequest made to him or her.167. Benefit derived indirectly
A person taking no benefit directly under a will, but deriving a benefit under it indirectly, is not put to his or her election.168. Person taking in individual capacity under will may, in other character, elect to take in opposition
A person who, in his or her individual capacity, takes a benefit under the will may, in another character, elect to take in opposition to the will.169. Exception to preceding sections
Notwithstanding sections 163, 164, 165, 166, 167 and 168, where a particular gift is expressed in a will to be in lieu of something belonging to the legatee, which is also in terms disposed of by the will, if the legatee claims that thing, he or she must relinquish the particular gift, but he or she is not bound to relinquish any other benefit given to him or her by the will.170. When acceptance of benefit given by will constitutes election to take under will
Acceptance of a benefit given by a will constitutes an election by the legatee to take under the will, if he or she has knowledge of his or her right to elect, and of those circumstances which would influence the judgment of a reasonable person in making an election, or if he or she waives inquiry into the circumstances.171. Presumption arising from enjoyment by legatee for two years
For the purposes of section 170, knowledge or waiver of inquiry shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, be presumed if the legatee has enjoyed for two years the benefits provided for him or her by the will without doing any act to express dissent.172. Confirmation of bequest by act of legatee
For the purposes of section 170, knowledge or waiver of inquiry may be inferred from any act of the legatee which renders it impossible to place the persons interested in the subject matter of the bequest in the same condition as if the act had not been done.173. When legatee may be called upon to elect
If a legatee does not, within one year after the death of the testator or testatrix, signify to the representatives of the testator or testatrix his or her intention to confirm or to dissent from the will, the representatives shall, upon the expiration of that period, require him or her to make his or her election; and if he or she does not comply with the requisition within a reasonable time after he or she has received it, he or she shall be deemed to have elected to confirm the will.174. Postponement of election in case of disability
In case of disability, an election shall be postponed until the disability ceases, or until the election is made by some competent authority.Part XXVIII – Gifts in contemplation of death
175. Property transferable by gift made in contemplation of death
Part XXIX – Grant of probate and letters of administration
176. Character and property of executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix
The executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix, as the case may be, of a deceased person is his or her legal representative for all purposes, and all the property of the deceased person vests in him or her as such.177. Administration with copy annexed of authenticated copy of will proved abroad
When a will has been proved and deposited in a court of competent jurisdiction, situate beyond the limits of Uganda, whether in the Commonwealth or in a foreign country, and a properly authenticated copy of the will is produced, letters of administration may be granted with a copy of such copy annexed.178. Probate only to appointed executor or executrix
Probate can be granted only to an executor or executrix appointed by the will.179. Appointment of executor or executrix
180. Persons to whom probate cannot be granted
181. Grant of probate to several executors or executrixes
When several executors or executrixes are appointed, probate may be granted to them all simultaneously, or at different times.182. Probate of codicil discovered after grant of probate
If a codicil is discovered after the grant of probate, a separate probate of that codicil may be granted to the executor or executrix, if it in no way revokes the appointment of executors or executrixes made by the will; but if different executors or executrixes are appointed by the codicil, the probate of the will shall be revoked, and a new probate granted of the will and the codicil together.183. Surviving executor or executrix
When probate has been granted to several executors or executrixes, and one of them dies, the entire representation of the testator or testatrix accrues to the surviving executor or executrix or executors or executrixes.184. Right as executor or executrix or legatee, when established
No right as executor or executrix or legatee shall be established in any court of justice, unless a court of competent jurisdiction within Uganda has granted probate of the will under which the right is claimed, or has granted letters of administration under section 177.185. Effect of probate
Probate of a will when granted establishes the will from the death of the testator, and renders valid all intermediate acts of the executor or executrix, as such.186. To whom administration may not be granted
187. Right to intestate’s property, when established
Except as provided in this section, but subject to section 4 of the Administrator General’s Act, no right to any part of the property of a person who has died intestate shall be established in any court of justice, unless letters of administration have first been granted by a court of competent jurisdiction.188. Effect of letters of administration
Letters of administration entitle the administrator or administratrix to all rights belonging to the intestate as effectually as if the administration has been granted at the moment after his or her death.189. Acts not validated by administration
Letters of administration do not render valid any intermediate acts of the administrator or administratrix tending to the diminution or damage of the intestate’s estate.190. Grant of administration where executor or executrix has not renounced
191. Form and effect of renunciation
A renunciation may be made orally in the presence of a magistrate, commissioner for oaths or justice of the peace or by writing signed by the person renouncing, and, when made, shall preclude him or her from ever thereafter applying for probate of the will appointing him or her executor or executrix.192. Procedure where executor or executrix renounces or fails to accept within time limited
If an executor or executrix renounces, or fails to accept, the executorship within the time limited for the acceptance or refusal of the executorship, the will may be proved, and letters of administration with a copy of the will annexed may be granted to the person who would be entitled to administration in case of intestacy.193. Grant of administration to universal or residuary legatee
Subject to section 4 of the Administrator General’s Act, when the deceased has made a will—194. Administration by representative of deceased residuary legatee
When a residuary legatee who has a beneficial interest survives the testator or testatrix, but dies before the estate has been fully administered, his or her representative has the same right to administration with the will annexed as the residuary legatee.195. Grant of administration where no executor or executrix nor residuary legatee, nor representative of such legatee
When there is no executor or executrix, and no residuary legatee or representative of a residuary legatee, or he or she declines or is incapable to act, or cannot be found, the person or persons who would be entitled to the administration of the estate of the deceased if he or she had died intestate, or any other legatee having a beneficial interest, or the Administrator General, may be admitted to prove the will, and letters of administration may be granted to him or her or them accordingly.196. Citation before grant of administration to legatee other than universal or residuary
Letters of administration with the will annexed shall not be granted to any legatee other than a universal or a residuary legatee, until a citation calling on the spouse and lineal descendants of the deceased person to accept or refuse letters of administration has been issued and published.197. Order in which connections entitled to administer
When the deceased has died intestate, those who are connected with the deceased either by marriage or by consanguinity are entitled to obtain letters of administration of his or her estate and effects in the order and according to the provisions hereafter contained.198. Entitlement to administration
Subject to section 4 of the Administrator General’s Act and section 199 of this Act, administration shall be granted to the person entitled to the greatest proportion of the estate under section 23.199. Surviving spouse to have priority to administer estate of deceased spouse
200. Citation of persons entitled in priority to administer
Administration shall not be granted to any relative if there is some other relative or an appointed customary heir or heiress entitled to a greater proportion of the estate until a citation has been issued and published in the manner hereafter provided calling on that other relative or heir or heiress to accept or refuse letters of administration.201. Entitlement between members of same class
Where two or more persons are entitled to the same proportion of the estate, they shall be equally entitled to administration, and a grant may be made to one or some of them jointly after a citation has been issued and published in the manner prescribed in this Act.202. Title of kindred to administration
Those who stand in equal degree of kindred to the deceased are equally entitled to administration.203. Grant of administration to creditor
When there is no person connected with the deceased by marriage or consanguinity who is entitled to letters of administration and willing to act, administration may be granted to a creditor.204. Administration where property left in Uganda
Where the deceased has left property in Uganda, letters of administration shall be granted according to the foregoing provisions, although he or she may have been a domiciled inhabitant of a country in which the law relating to testate and intestate succession differs from the law of Uganda.Part XXX – Limited grants
Grants limited in duration
205. Probate of copy of lost will
When a will has been lost or mislaid since the death of the testator or testatrix, or has been destroyed by wrong or accident, and not by any act of the testator or testatrix, and a copy or the draft of the will has been preserved, probate may be granted of the copy or draft, limited until the original or a properly authenticated copy of it is produced.206. Probate of contents of lost or destroyed will
When a will has been lost or destroyed, and no copy has been made, nor the draft preserved, probate may be granted of its contents, if they can be established by evidence.207. Probate of copy where original exists
When a will is in the possession of a person residing out of Uganda, who has refused or neglected to deliver it up, but a copy has been transmitted to the executor or executrix, and it is necessary for the interests of the estate that probate should be granted without waiting for the arrival of the original, probate may be granted of the copy so transmitted, limited until the will, or an authenticated copy of it, is produced.208. Administration until will produced
Where no will of the deceased is forthcoming, but there is reason to believe that there is a will in existence, letters of administration may be granted, limited until the will, or an authenticated copy of it, is produced.Grants for use and benefit of others having right
209. Administration with will annexed to attorney of absent executor or executrix
When any executor or executrix is absent from Uganda and there is no executor or executrix within Uganda willing to act, letters of administration with the will annexed may be granted to the attorney of the absent executor or executrix, for the use and benefit of his or her principal, limited until he or she shall obtain probate or letters of administration granted to himself or herself.210. Administration with will annexed to attorney of absent person
When any person to whom, if present, letters of administration with the will annexed might be granted, is absent from Uganda, letters of administration with the will annexed may be granted to his or her attorney limited as mentioned in section 209.211. Administration to attorney of absent person
When a person entitled to administration in case of intestacy is absent from Uganda, and no person equally entitled is willing to act, letters of administration may be granted to the attorney of the absent person, limited as mentioned in section 209.212. Administration where child is sole beneficiary or residuary legatee
213. Administration for use and benefit of person with mental illness jus habens
If a sole executor or executrix or a sole universal or residuary legatee, or a person who would be solely entitled to the estate of the intestate according to the rules for the distribution of intestates’ estates, is a person with mental illness, letters of administration with or without the will annexed, as the case may be, shall be granted to the person to whom the care of his or her estate has been committed by competent authority, or, if there is no such person, to such other person as the court may think fit to appoint, for the use and benefit of the person with mental illness until he or she shall have become of sound mind.214. Administration pendente lite
The court may, pending any suit touching the validity of the will of a deceased person, or for obtaining or revoking any probate or any grant of letters of administration, appoint an administrator or administratrix of the estate of the deceased person, who shall have all the rights and powers of a general administrator, other than the right of distributing the estate, and every such administrator shall be subject to the immediate control of the court, and shall act under its direction.Grants for special purposes
215. Probate limited to purpose specified in will
If an executor or executrix is appointed for any limited purpose specified in the will, the probate shall be limited to that purpose, and, if he or she should appoint an attorney to take administration on his or her behalf, the letters of administration with the will annexed shall accordingly be limited.216. Administration with will annexed limited to particular purpose
If an executor or executrix appointed generally gives an authority to an attorney to prove a will on his or her behalf, and the authority is limited to a particular purpose, the letters of administration with the will annexed shall be limited accordingly.217. Administration limited to property in which person has beneficial interest
Where a person dies, leaving property of which he or she was the sole or surviving trustee, or in which he or she had no beneficial interest on his or her account, and leaves no general representative, or one who is unable or unwilling to act as such, letters of administration, limited to that property, may be granted to the person beneficially interested in the property, or to some other person on his or her behalf.218. Administration limited to suit
When it is necessary that the representative of a person deceased is made a party to a pending suit, and the executor or executrix or person entitled to administration is unable or unwilling to act, letters of administration may be granted to the nominee of a party in the suit, limited for the purpose of representing the deceased in that suit or in any other cause or suit which may be commenced in the same or in any other court between the parties, or any other parties, touching the matters at issue in that cause or suit, and until a final decree shall be made in it, and carried into complete execution.219. Administration limited to purpose of becoming party to suit against administrator
If, at the expiration of twelve months from the date of any probate or letters of administration, the executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix to whom the same has been granted is absent from Uganda, the court may grant, to any person whom it may think fit, letters of administration, limited to the purpose of becoming and being made a party to a suit to be brought against the executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix, and carrying the decree which may be made in the suit into effect.220. Appointment of person other than one normally entitled to administration
When a person has died intestate, or leaving a will of which there is no executor or executrix willing and competent to act, or where the executor or executrix, at the time of the death of the person, is resident out of Uganda, and it appears to the court to be necessary or convenient to appoint some person to administer the estate or any part of it, other than the person who, under ordinary circumstances, would be entitled to a grant of administration, the judge may, in his or her discretion, having regard to consanguinity, the amount of interest, the safety of the estate, and the probability that it will be properly administered, appoint such person as he or she shall think fit to be administrator; and in every such case letters of administration may be limited or not as the judge shall think fit.Grants with exception
221. Probate, etc. subject to exception
Whenever the nature of the case requires that an exception be made, probate of a will, or letters of administration with the will annexed, shall be granted subject to that exception.222. Administration with exception
Whenever the nature of the case requires that an exception be made, letters of administration shall be granted subject to that exception.223. Exception for land subject to consents
Grants of rest
224. Probate or administration of rest
Whenever a grant, with exception, of probate, or letters of administration with or without the will annexed, has been made, the person entitled to probate or administration of the remainder of the deceased’s estate may take a grant of probate or letters of administration, as the case may be, of the rest of the deceased’s estate.Grants of effects unadministered
225. Grants of effects unadministered
If an executor or executrix to whom probate has been granted has died, leaving a part of the estate of the testator or testatrix unadministered, a new representative may be appointed for the purpose of administering that part of the estate.226. Provisions as to grants of effects unadministered
In granting letters of administration of an estate not fully administered, the court shall be guided by the same provisions as apply to original grants, and shall grant letters of administration to those persons only to whom original grants might have been made.When a limited grant has expired by effluxion of time, or the happening of the event or contingency on which it was limited, and there is still some part of the deceased’s estate unadministered, letters of administration shall be granted to those persons to whom original grants might have been made.Alteration in grants
228. Errors may be rectified by court
Errors in names and descriptions, or in setting forth the time and place of the deceased’s death, or the purpose in a limited grant, may be rectified by the court, and the grant of probate or letters of administration may be altered and amended accordingly.229. Procedure where codicil discovered after grant
If, after the grant of letters of administration with the will annexed, a codicil is discovered, it may be added to the grant on due proof and identification, and the grant altered and amended accordingly.Revocation of grants
230. Revocation or annulment for just cause
Part XXXI – Practice in granting and revoking probates and letters of administration
231. Jurisdiction to grant probate and letters of administration
Jurisdiction to grant probate and letters of administration under this Act shall be exercised by the High Court and a magistrate’s court in accordance with the Administration of Estates (Small Estates) (Special Provisions) Act.232. General powers of chief magistrate and magistrate
A chief magistrate and a magistrate shall have the like powers and authority in relation to the granting of probate and letters of administration, and all matters connected with the granting of probate and letters of administration, as are by law vested in him or her in relation to any civil suit or proceeding pending in court.233. A chief magistrate and a magistrate may order person to produce testamentary papers
A chief magistrate and a magistrate may order any person to produce and bring into court any paper or writing, being or purporting to be testamentary, which may be shown to be in the possession or under the control of that person and—234. Proceedings in relation to probate and administration
The proceedings of the court of the Chief Magistrate or the Magistrate in relation to the granting of probate and letters of administration shall, except as hereafter otherwise provided, be regulated, so far as the circumstances of the case will admit, by the law relating to civil procedure.235. When and how Chief Magistrate or Magistrate to interfere for protection of property
Until probate is granted of the will of a deceased person, or an administrator or administratrix of his or her estate is constituted, the Chief Magistrate or Magistrate, within whose jurisdiction any part of the property of the deceased person is situate, is authorised and required to interfere for the protection of that property at the instance of any person claiming to be interested in it, and in all other cases where the delegate considers that the property incurs any risk of loss or damage; and for that purpose, if he or she sees fit, to appoint an officer to take and keep possession of the property.236. When probate or administration may be granted by Chief Magistrate or Magistrate
Probate of the will or letters of administration to the estate of a deceas person may be granted by the Chief Magistrate or Magistrate under the st of his or her court, if it appears by a petition, verified as hereafter provide of the person applying for the probate or letters of administration, that t testator or testatrix or intestate, as the case may be, at the time of his or li decease, had a fixed place of abode, or any property, movable or immovab within the jurisdiction of the delegate.237. Disposal of application made to Chief Magistrate or Magistrate place where deceased had no fixed abode
When an application is made to Chief Magistrate or Magistrate in a district area in which the deceased had no fixed abode at the time of his or her deal it shall be in the discretion of the delegate to refuse the application, if, in his her judgment, it could be disposed of more justly or conveniently in another district or area, or, where the application is for letters of administration to grant them absolutely or limited to the property within his or her own jurisdiction.238. Conclusiveness of probate or letters of administration
239. Conclusiveness of application for probate or administration
An application for probate or letters of administration, if made and verifit in the manner hereafter provided, shall be conclusive for the purpose (authorising the grant of probate or administration, and no such grant shall be impeached by reason that the testator or testatrix or intestate had no fixed place of abode, or no property within the district or area at the time of his or her death, unless by a proceeding to revoke the grant if obtained by a fraud upon the court.240. Petition for probate
241. Translation of will to be annexed to petition
In cases where the will is written in any language other than English, there shall be a translation of it annexed to the petition by a translator of the court, if the language is one for which a translator is appointed, or, if the will is in any other language, then by any person competent to translate it, in which case the translation shall be verified by that person in the following manner—“I,________________________, do declare that I read and perfectly understand the language and character of the original, and that the above is a true and accurate translation of it.”.242. Petition for letters of administration
An application for letters of administration shall be made by petition distinctly written in the English language, and stating—243. Petition to be signed and verified
A petition for probate or letters of administration shall, in all cases, be subscribed by the petitioner and his or her advocate, if any, and shall be verified by the petitioner in the following manner or to the like effect—“I,____________________, the petitioner in the above petition, declare that what is stated in it is true to the best of my information and belief”.244. Verification of petition for probate by one witness to will
Where the application is for probate, the petition shall also be verified by at least one of the witnesses to the will, when procurable, in the following manner or to the following effect—“I,________________________, one of the witnesses to the last will and testament of the testator or testatrix mentioned in the above petition, declare that I was present, and saw the testator or testatrix affix his or her signature (or mark) to it (or that the testator or testatrix acknowledged the writing annexed to the above petition to be his or her last will and testament in my presence).”.245. Punishment for false statement in petition or declaration
Where any petition or declaration which is required to be verified contains any statement which the person making the statement, or the verification knows or believes to be false, that person commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred sixty-eight currency points or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or both.246. High Court or Chief Magistrate or Magistrate may examine petitioner in person and require further evidence, etc.
247. Administrator General not precluded from grant
Nothing in this Part shall be deemed to preclude—248. No probate or letters of administration to be granted except on production of certificate from assistant estate duty commissioner
Except in the case of an application by the Administrator General, no probate or letters of administration or resealing of probate or letters of administration shall be granted by the High Court or Chief Magistrate or Magistrate unless the certificate of an assistant estate duty commissioner is produced to the High Court or Chief Magistrate or Magistrate, as the case may be, to the effect that he or she is satisfied that the requirements of any written law relating to estate duty in regard to the payment of duty have been or will be complied with.249. Caveats against grant of probate or administration
Caveats against the grant of probate or administration may be lodged with the High Court or Chief Magistrates Court or Magistrates Court; and immediately on any caveat being lodged with any Chief Magistrates Court or Magistrates Court, the Chief Magistrate or the Magistrate shall send a copy of the caveat to the High Court.250. Form of caveat
A caveat under section 249 shall be to the following effect—"Let nothing be done in the matter of the estate of ____________, late of ____________, deceased, who died on the day of ______________20 __, at ____________, without notice to ____________, of ____________".251. Proceedings suspended if caveat is received
252. Caveat and petition to lapse
253. Power to transmit statement to High Court in doubtful cases where no contention
In every case in which there is no contention, but it appears to the Chief Magistrate or the Magistrate doubtful whether the probate or letters of administration should or should not be granted, or when any question arises in relation to the grant, or application for the grant, of any probate or letters of administration, the Chief Magistrate or the Magistrate may, if he or she thinks proper, transmit a statement of the matter in question to the High Court which may direct the Chief Magistrate or the Magistrate to proceed in the matter of the application, according to such instructions as to the High Court may seem necessary, or may forbid any further proceeding by the chief magistrate and the magistrate in relation to the matter of the application, leaving the party applying for the grant in question to make application to the High Court.254. Procedure where there is contention, or chief magistrate and magistrate thinks probate, etc. should be refused in his or her court
In every case in which there is contention, or the Chief Magistrate or the Magistrate is of opinion that the probate or letters of administration should be refused in his or her court, the petition, and any documents that may have been filed with it, shall be returned to the person by whom the application was made in order that they may be presented to the High Court, unless the Chief Magistrate or the Magistrate thinks it necessary, for the purposes of justice, to impound them, which he or she is authorised to do; and in that case he or she shall send them to the High Court.255. Grant of probate to be under seal of court
256. Grant of letters of administration to be under seal of court
257. Administration bond
The court may before committing a grant of letters of administration to any person require that person to give a bond to a judge of the High Court or Chief Magistrate or Magistrate to enure for the benefit of the judge or delegate for the time being, with one or more surety or sureties, engaging for the due collection, getting in and administering the estate of the deceased, which bond shall be in such form as the High Court shall, from time to time, by any general or special order, direct.258. Assignment of administration bond
The court may, on application made by petition, and on being satisfied that the engagement of any such bond has not been kept, and upon such terms as to security or providing that the money received be paid into court, or otherwise as the court may think fit, assign the bond to some person, his or her executors or executrixes, or administrators or administratrices, who shall thereupon be entitled to sue on the bond in his or her own name as if the bond had been originally given to him or her instead of to a judge of the High Court or Chief Magistrate or Magistrate, and shall be entitled to recover on it, as trustee for all persons interested, the full amount recoverable in respect of any breach of the bond.259. Time for grant of probate and administration
No probate of a will shall be granted until after the expiration of seven clear days, and letters of administration shall not be granted until after the expiration of fourteen clear days, from the day of the death of the testator or testatrix or intestate.260. Filing of original wills of which probate or administration with will annexed granted
A judge of the High Court or Chief Magistrate or Magistrate shall file and preserve all original wills of which probate or letters of administration with the will annexed may be granted by him or her among the records of his or her court, until some public registry for wills is established; and the Attorney General shall make regulations for the preservation and inspection of the wills so filed.261. Grantee of probate or administration alone to sue, etc. until grant revoked
After any grant of probate or letters of administration, no person other than the person to whom the same has been granted shall have power to sue or prosecute any suit, or otherwise act as representative of the deceased, until the probate or letters of administration has or have been recalled or revoked.262. Procedure in contentious cases
263. Payment to executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix before probate or administration revoked
Where any probate is or letters of administration are revoked, all payments bona fide made to any executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix under the probate or administration before its revocation shall, notwithstanding the revocation, be a legal discharge to the person making the payments; and an executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix who has acted under any revoked probate or administration may retain and reimburse himself or herself in respect of any payments he or she made, which the person to whom probate or letters of administration shall be afterwards granted might have lawfully made.264. Appeals from orders of Chief Magistrate or Magistrate
Every order made by Chief Magistrate or Magistrate by virtue of the powers hereby conferred upon him or her shall be subject to appeal to the High Court under the civil procedure rules applicable to appeals.Part XXXII – Executors or executrixes of their own wrong
265. Intermeddling and other acts
266. Liability of executor or executrix of his or her own wrong
When a person has so acted as to become an executor or executrix of his or her own wrong, he or she is answerable to the rightful executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix, or to any creditor or legatee of the deceased, to the extent of the assets which may have come to his or her hands, after deducting payments made to the rightful executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix, and payments made in due course of administration.Part XXXIII – Powers of executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix
267. Disposal of property
268. Powers of several executors or executrixes, etc. exercisable by one
269. Survival of executors or executrixes or administrators or administratrices
Upon the death of one or more of several executors or executrixes or administrators or administratrices, all the powers of the office become vested in the survivors or survivor.270. Administrator or administratrix of effects unadministered
The administrator or administratrix of effects unadministered has, with respect to those effects, the same powers as the original executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix.271. Administrator or administratrix during minority
An administrator or administratrix during minority has all the powers of an ordinary administrator.Part XXXIV – Duties of executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix
272. Deceased’s funeral
It is the duty of an executor or executrix to perform the funeral of the deceased in a manner suitable to his or her condition, if the deceased has left property sufficient for the purpose.273. Inventory and account
274. Property of deceased person
275. Expenses to be paid in priority
Funeral expenses to a reasonable amount, according to the degree and quality of the deceased, and deathbed charges, including fees for medical attendance, and board and lodging for one month previous to his or her death, are to be paid before all debts.276. Expenses to be paid next after such expenses
The expenses of obtaining probate or letters of administration, including the costs incurred for or in respect of any judicial proceedings that may be necessary for administering the estate, are to be paid next after the funeral expenses and deathbed charges.277. Wages and other debts
Wages due for services rendered to the deceased within three months preceding his or her death by any labourer, artisan or domestic servant are next to be paid, and then the other debts of the deceased.278. All other debts to be paid equally and rateably
Except as provided in sections 275, 276 and 277, no creditor is to have a right of priority over another by reason that his or her debt is secured by an instrument under seal, or on any other account; but the executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix shall pay all such debts as he or she knows of, including his or her own, equally and rateably, as far as the assets of the deceased will extend.279. Payment of debts where domicile not in Uganda
If the domicile of the deceased was not in Uganda, the application of his or her movable property to the payment of his or her debts is to be regulated by the law of Uganda.280. Creditor paid in part to bring payment into account
A creditor who has received payment of a part of his or her debt by virtue of section 279 shall not be entitled to share in the proceeds of the immovable estate of the deceased unless he or she brings that payment into account for the benefit of the other creditors.281. Debts to be paid before legacies
Debts of every description shall be paid before any legacy.282. Executor or executrix, etc. not bound to pay legacies without indemnity
If the estate of the deceased is subject to any contingent liabilities, an executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix is not bound to pay any legacy without a sufficient indemnity to meet the liabilities whenever they may become due.283. Abatement of general legacies
If the assets, afterpayment of debts, necessary expenses and specific legacies, are not sufficient to pay all the general legacies in full, the latter shall abate or be diminished in equal proportions; and the executor or executrix has no right to pay one legatee in preference to another, nor to retain any money on account of a legacy to himself or herself or to any person for whom he or she is a trustee.284. Non-abatement of specific legacy
Where there is a specific legacy, and the assets are sufficient for the payment of debts and necessary expenses, the thing specified must be delivered to the legatee without any abatement.285. Demonstrative legacy when assets sufficient to pay debts and necessary expenses
Where there is a demonstrative legacy, and the assets are sufficient for the payment of debts and necessary expenses, and the legatee has a preferential claim for payment of his or her legacy out of the fund from which the legacy is directed to be paid until the fund is exhausted, and, if, after the fund is exhausted, part of the legacy still remains unpaid, he or she is entitled to rank for the remainder against the general assets as for a legacy of the amount of the unpaid remainder.286. Abatement of specific legacies
If the assets are not sufficient to answer the debts and specific legacies, an abatement shall be made from the latter rateably in proportion to their respective amounts.287. Legacies treated as general for purpose of abatement
For the purpose of abatement, a legacy for life, a sum appropriated by the will to produce an annuity and the value of an annuity when no sum has been appropriated to produce it shall be treated as general legacies.Part XXXV – Executor’s or executrix’s assent to legacy
288. Assent necessary to complete legatee’s title
The assent of the executor or executrix is necessary to complete a legatee’s title to his or her legacy.289. Effect of executor’s or executrix’s assent to specific legacy
290. Conditional assent
The assent of an executor or executrix to a legacy may be conditional, and if the condition is one which he or she has a right to enforce and it is not performed, there is no assent.291. Assent of executor or executrix to his or her own legacy
292. Effect of executor’s or executrix’s assent
The assent of the executor or executrix to a legacy gives effect to it from the death of the testator or testatrix.293. Payment of legacy, etc.
An executor or executrix is not bound to pay or deliver any legacy until the expiration of one year from the death of the testator or testatrix.294. Partition
Part XXXVI – Payment and apportionment of annuities
295. Commencement of annuity when no time fixed by will
Where an annuity is given by a will, and no time is fixed for its commencement, it shall commence from the death of the testator or testatrix, and the first payment shall be made at the expiration of one year after that event.296. When annuity to be paid periodically first falls due
Where there is a direction that an annuity shall be paid quarterly or monthly, the first payment shall be due at the end of the first quarter or first month, as the case may be, after the death of the testator or testatrix, and shall, if the executor or executrix thinks fit, be paid when due; but the executor or executrix shall not be bound to pay it till the end of the year.297. Successive payments when first payment directed to be made within given time
Where there is a direction that the first payment of an annuity shall be made within one month or any other division of time from the death of the testator or testatrix, or on a day certain, the successive payments are to be made on the anniversary of the earliest day on which the will authorises the first payment to be made; and, if the annuitant should die in the interval between the times of payment, an apportioned share of the annuity shall be paid to his or her representative.Part XXXVII – Investment of funds to provide for legacies
298. Investment of sum bequeathed where legacy given for life
Where a legacy, not being a specific legacy, is given for life, the sum bequeathed shall at the end of the year be invested in such securities as are authorised by law, and the proceeds of the investment shall be paid to the legatee as the proceeds shall accrue due.299. Investment of general legacy to be paid at future time
300. Procedure when no fund charged with annuity
Where an annuity is given, and no fund is charged with its payment or appropriated by the will to answer it, a Government annuity of the specified amount shall be purchased; or if no such annuity can be obtained, then a sum sufficient to produce the annuity shall be invested for that purpose in such securities as are authorised by law.301. Transfer to residuary legatee of contingent bequest
Where a bequest is contingent, the executor or executrix is not bound to invest the amount of the legacy, but may transfer the whole residue of the estate to the residuary legatee on his or her giving sufficient security for the payment of the legacy if it shall become due.302. Investment of residue bequeathed for life
Where the testator or testatrix has bequeathed the residue of his or her estate to a person for life without any direction to invest it in any particular securities, so much of it as is not at the time of the death of the testator or testatrix invested in such securities as are authorised by law shall be converted into money, and invested in those securities.303. Investment in specified securities of residue bequeathed for life
Where the testator or testatrix has bequeathed the residue of his or her estate to a person for life, with a direction that it shall be invested in certain specified securities, so much of the estate as is not at the time of his or her death invested in securities of the specified kind shall be converted into money and invested in those securities.304. Conversion and investment
The conversion and investment contemplated by sections 302 and 303 shall be made at such times and in such manner as the executor or executrix in his or her discretion thinks fit; and, until the conversion and investment are completed, the person who would be for the time being entitled to the income of the fund when so invested shall receive interest at the rate of four percent per year upon the market value, to be computed as at the date of the death of the testator or testatrix, of such part of the fund as has not yet been so invested.305. Procedure when minor entitled to immediate payment or possession of bequest
306. Procedure in respect of share of minor in estate of deceased
Part XXXVIII – Produce and interest of legacies
307. Legatee’s title to produce of specific legacy
308. Residuary legatee’s title to produce of residuary fund
309. Interest
Where no time has been fixed for the payment of a general legacy, interest begins to run from the expiration of one year from the death of the testator or testatrix; except that where—310. Interest when time fixed for payment
Where a time has been fixed for the payment of a general legacy, interest begins to run from the time so fixed, and the interest up to that time forms part of the residue of the estate of the testator or testatrix; except that where the testator or testatrix was a parent or a more remote ancestor of the legatee, or has put himself or herself in the place of a parent of the legatee, and the legatee is a minor, the legacy shall bear interest from the death of the testator or testatrix, unless a specific sum is given by the will for maintenance.311. Rate of interest
The rate of interest shall be four percent per year.312. No interest on arrears of annuity within first year
No interest is payable on the arrears of an annuity within the first year from the death of the testator or testatrix, although a period earlier than the expiration of that year may have been fixed by the will for making the first payment of the annuity.313. Interest on sum invested to produce annuity
Where a sum of money is directed to be invested to produce an annuity, interest is payable on it from the death of the testator or testatrix.Part XXXIX – Refunding of legacies
314. Refund of legacy paid under judge’s orders
Where an executor or executrix has paid a legacy under the order of a judge, he or she is entitled to call upon the legatee to refund in the event of the assets proving insufficient to pay all the legacies.315. No refund if paid voluntarily
Where an executor or executrix has voluntarily paid a legacy, he or she cannot call upon a legatee to refund in the event of the assets proving insufficient to pay all the legacies.316. Refund when legacy has become due on performance of condition
When the time prescribed by a will for the performance of a condition has elapsed without the condition having been performed and the executor or executrix has thereupon, without fraud, distributed the assets, in such case, if further time has been allowed under section 120 for the performance of the condition, and the condition has been performed accordingly, the legacy cannot be claimed from the executor or executrix, but those to whom he or she has paid it are liable to refund the amount.317. When each legatee compellable to refund in proportion
When the executor or executrix has paid away the assets in legacies, and he or she is afterwards obliged to discharge a debt of which he or she had no previous notice, he or she is entitled to call upon each legatee to refund in proportion.318. Distribution of assets
Where an executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix has given such notices as would have been given by the High Court in an administration suit for creditors and others to send into him or her their claims against the estate of the deceased, he or she shall, at the expiration of the time named in the notices for sending in claims, be at liberty to distribute the assets, or any part of them, in discharge of such lawful claims as he or she knows of, and shall not be liable for the assets so distributed to any person of whose claim he or she shall not have had notice at the time of the distribution; but nothing in this section shall prejudice the right of any creditor or claimant to follow the assets, or any part of them, in the hands of the persons who may have received them.319. Creditor may call upon legatee to refund
A creditor who has not received payment of his or her debt may call upon a legatee who has received payment of his or her legacy to refund, whether the assets of the estate of the testator or testatrix were or were not sufficient at the time of the death of the testator or testatrix to pay both debts and legacies, and whether the payment of the legacy by the executor or executrix was voluntary or not.320. When legatee not satisfied, or compelled to refund, cannot oblige one paid in full to refund
If the assets were sufficient to satisfy all the legacies at the time of the death of the testator or testatrix, a legatee who has not received payment of his or her legacy, or who has been compelled to refund under section 319, cannot oblige one who has received payment in full to refund, whether the legacy was paid to him or her with or without suit, although the assets have subsequently become deficient by the wasting of the executor or executrix.321. When unsatisfied legatee must first proceed against executor or executrix, if solvent
If the assets were not sufficient to satisfy all the legacies at the time of the death of the testator or testatrix, a legatee who has not received payment of his or her legacy must, before he or she can call on a satisfied legatee to refund, first proceed against the executor or executrix, if he or she is solvent; but, if the executor or executrix is insolvent or not liable to pay, the unsatisfied legatee can oblige each satisfied legatee to refund in proportion.322. Limit of refunding of one legatee to another
The refunding of one legatee to another shall not exceed the sum by which the satisfied legacy ought to have been reduced if the estate had been properly administered.323. Refunding without interest
The refunding shall, in all cases, be without interest.324. Residue to be paid to residuary legatee
The surplus or residue of the deceased’s property, after payment of debts and legacies, shall be paid to the residuary legatee when any has been appointed by the will.325. Transfer of assets from Uganda to executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix in country of domicile for distribution
Where a person not having his or her domicile in Uganda has died leaving assets both in Uganda and in the country in which he or she had his or her domicile at the time of his or her death, and there has been a grant of probate or letters of administration in Uganda with respect to the assets there, and a grant of administration in the country of domicile with respect to the assets in that country, the executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix, as the case may be, in Uganda, after having given such notices as are mentioned in section 318, and after having discharged, at the expiration of the time named in the notices, such lawful claims as he or she knows of, may, instead of himself or herself distributing any surplus or residue of the deceased’s property to persons residing out of Uganda who are entitled to it, transfer, with the consent of the executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix, as the case may be, in the country of domicile, the surplus or residue to that executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix for distribution to those persons.326. Procedure where deceased has left property in a court of a country other than Uganda
Part XL – Liability of executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix for devastation
327. Liability of executor, executrix, administrator or administratrix for damage or loss to estate
328. Liability of executor or executrix or administrator or administratrix for neglect
329. Beneficiary’s estate not to form part of payment
Part XLI – Miscellaneous
330. Power of Attorney General to exempt any class of persons from operation of Act
331. Surrender of revoked probate or letters of administration
332. Application of Act to Defence Forces
Nothing in this Act shall in any way affect any provisions as to distribution or intestacy contained in regulations made under the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Act.333. Places appointed for custody of wills of living persons
334. Power to make rules prescribing fees and other matters
The Chief Justice shall have power with the approval of the Attorney General to make rules concerning the following matters—335. Application of sections 30 to 33
Sections 30, 31, 32 and 33 shall apply to every will made on or after the 26th day of January, 1971.336. Power to amend Schedule 1
The Minister may, by statutory instrument, with the approval of Cabinet, amend Schedule 1 to this Act.337. Application of Act to actions taken before the 31st day of May, 2022
Schedule 2 (Section 19(1))
Table of Consanguinity
History of this document
31 December 2023 this version
Chapter 268
Revised Laws 2023
Consolidation
28 July 2023
31 May 2022
Amended by
Succession (Amendment) Act, 2022
31 December 2000
15 February 1906
Commenced