Do I need letters of administration in Uganda?
In brief
The Succession Act says no right to an intestate's property can be established in court without letters of administration (s.187), and intermeddling with the estate before a grant is an offence (s.265). The grant is obtained by petition in the right court (by estate value), usually after a certificate of no objection from the Administrator General for applicants other than an executor, widow or widower.
A little more detail
If there is a valid will naming an executor, you apply for probate instead. Either way, dealing with estate assets before the grant is risky and can be criminal.
What to do next
See the letters-of-administration checklist and guide; for a will, see the probate route.
The law
- Succession Act, Cap. 268 (2023 Revision) — ss.187, 265.
- Administrator General's Act, Cap. 264 (2023 Revision) — s.5.
Quick guide · Succession & estates.
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.