Maternity and paternity leave rights in Uganda
In brief
A female employee is entitled to sixty working days' maternity leave on full wages, of which at least four weeks must follow childbirth or miscarriage (Employment Act, Cap. 226 (2023 Revision), s.55), and to return to her job or a reasonably suitable alternative. A male employee is entitled to four working days' paternity leave a year on full wages after his wife's delivery or miscarriage (s.56). Dismissing an employee because of pregnancy, or because she took leave she was entitled to, is not a fair reason for dismissal (s.74).
1. Governing law
Section 55 of the Employment Act, Cap. 226 (2023 Revision) gives a female employee, as a consequence of pregnancy, the right to sixty working days' leave on full wages, of which at least four weeks must follow the childbirth or miscarriage, and the right to return to the job she held immediately before the leave or to a reasonably suitable alternative on terms no less favourable; where sickness arising out of pregnancy or confinement makes return inadvisable, the right to return is available within eight weeks after childbirth or miscarriage. She must give at least seven days' notice (or a shorter reasonable period) of her intention to return, and may be asked for a medical certificate (s.55). Section 56 gives a male employee four working days' paternity leave a year, immediately after his wife's delivery or miscarriage, on full wages, with the right to return to his job. Pregnancy, or a reason connected with it, and taking leave the employee was entitled to, are expressly excluded as fair reasons for dismissal or discipline (s.74(a)–(b)). These figures are from the 2023 consolidation; verify them against any later Employment (Amendment) Act before relying on them. 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
- Employment Act, Cap. 226 (2023 Revision) — s.55 (maternity leave: sixty working days on full wages, at least four weeks after childbirth/miscarriage; right to return; seven days' notice to return; medical certificate); s.56 (paternity leave: four working days a year on full wages; right to return); s.74(a)–(b) (pregnancy and taking entitled leave are not fair reasons for dismissal).
3. Practical guidance
Female employees: plan for sixty working days' maternity leave on full pay, keeping at least four weeks for after the birth (s.55).
Give at least seven days' notice of your intended return date, and keep a medical certificate if asked (s.55).
Male employees: take your four working days' paternity leave after the delivery or miscarriage, on full pay (s.56).
Employers: hold the job (or a no-less-favourable alternative) open and never treat pregnancy or entitled leave as a reason to dismiss or discipline (ss.55, 74).
Confirm the current figures against any Employment (Amendment) Act, as leave entitlements can change.
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.