Court fees in Uganda: how they are assessed
In brief
Court fees in Uganda are prescribed by the Judicature (Court Fees) Rules. Filing a case attracts a fee made up of fixed amounts for particular documents plus, for money claims, ad valorem components scaled to the value of the subject matter. For example, the base fee for filing a plaint in the High Court is in the region of UGX 60,000 (Schedule 2) — confirm the current figure against the latest gazette, as fees are updated. Liquidated money claims also attract assessed stamp duty. Indigent litigants may apply to sue without payment.
1. Governing law
Fees payable in the courts of judicature are set by the Judicature (Court Fees) Rules (made under the Judicature Act), which prescribe a schedule of fees for filing and other steps. The structure combines fixed fees for particular pleadings and documents with ad valorem fees calculated on the value of the subject matter for money and property claims; the Rules also cap certain ad valorem charges (for example, fees on the net value of an estate). As a current illustration from the schedule, the base fee for a plaint in the High Court is about UGX 60,000, to which assessed stamp duty is added where the claim is liquidated — but the exact figures should always be confirmed against the latest gazette before filing, because the schedule is periodically revised. Fees are paid on filing, and a person who cannot afford them may seek to proceed as a pauper / indigent litigant under the Civil Procedure Rules. Wakilii's court-fee tool gives an estimate but is not a substitute for the registry's assessment. Statutory text verified against the consolidated Laws of Uganda as at 31 December 2023. Sourced from the Uganda Legal Information Institute (ulii.org).
2. Key statutes & rules
- Judicature (Court Fees) Rules (under the Judicature Act, Cap. 13) — schedule of court fees: fixed fees for pleadings and documents plus ad valorem fees on the value of the subject matter; the base fee for a High Court plaint is in the region of UGX 60,000 (Schedule 2) — verify the current figure.
- Stamp Duty Act, Cap. 339 — assessed stamp duty on liquidated money claims, payable in addition to court fees.
- Civil Procedure Rules — provision for an indigent person to sue without prepayment of fees (suits by paupers).
3. Practical guidance
Identify the documents you are filing — each attracts a prescribed fee under the Judicature (Court Fees) Rules.
For a money claim, expect an ad valorem component scaled to the amount claimed, plus the fixed filing fee.
Confirm the current figures with the court registry or the latest gazette before filing — the schedule is revised.
For a liquidated claim, budget for assessed stamp duty in addition to court fees.
If you cannot afford the fees, ask about suing as an indigent person (pauper) under the Civil Procedure Rules.
This note is a practitioner orientation, not legal advice, and does not create an advocate–client relationship. Ugandan law changes and chapter and section numbers were revised in the 2023 Laws of Uganda. Verify every statute, rule and authority against the current primary source — and the specific facts of your matter — before filing or relying on it.