Can I evict a tenant without a court order in Uganda?
In brief
The Act forbids ending a tenancy except under the Act or the agreement (s.34), and sets minimum notice periods you cannot shorten by contract (s.38). For rent default beyond 30 days, or where a tenant overstays a valid notice, the landlord may re-enter — but only in the presence of an area local council official (ss.29, 43). Self-help eviction outside these rules is unlawful and costly (s.45).
A little more detail
Lock-changes, removing the roof, or throwing out a tenant's property are classic unlawful evictions that backfire — follow the notice-and-re-entry route or sue for possession.
What to do next
Use the lawful tenant-eviction checklist and the tenancy termination notice template.
The law
- Landlord and Tenant Act, Cap. 238 (2023 Revision) — ss.34, 38, 43, 45.
Quick guide · Land & property.
Actively maintained.
Last reviewed 9 June 2026; next review due 9 December 2026.
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.