Drafting a contract in Uganda: checklist
In brief
A good contract is clear, complete and enforceable. This checklist covers the essential elements and the clauses not to forget.
Who it's for & when to use it
Who it's for: Anyone drafting or reviewing a commercial agreement.
When to use it: When putting an agreement into a written contract.
When not to use it: As a substitute for advice on a high-value or complex deal.
The checklist
1. Get the essentials right
- Ensure offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity and intention to create legal relations (Contracts Act ss.10–11, 18–19).
- Put it in writing where the value exceeds 25 currency points (UGX 500,000) (Contracts Act s.9).
2. Set out the commercial terms
- Identify the parties precisely and recite the background.
- State the obligations, the price and payment, the term and any conditions.
3. Cover the protective clauses
- Warranties, liability and indemnities, confidentiality and intellectual property where relevant.
- Termination, dispute resolution, notices and governing law.
4. Make it clear
- Define key terms and remove ambiguity; use a schedule for detail.
5. Finalise
- Check consents and authority to sign, and prepare for proper execution.
Key authorities
- Contracts Act, Cap. 284 (2023 Revision) — ss.9, 10–11, 18–19.
Checklist · Contracts & commercial.
Actively maintained.
Last reviewed 9 June 2026; next review due 9 June 2027.
This resource is a practitioner orientation and general information, not legal advice, and does not create an advocate–client relationship. It is AI-generated. Ugandan law changes and chapter and section numbers were revised in the 2023 Laws of Uganda. Verify every statute, rule, form, fee and authority against the current primary source — and the specific facts of your matter — before relying on it.