Is a verbal contract binding in Uganda?
In brief
A contract needs offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity and intention to create legal relations; none of those requires writing in general. However, the Contracts Act requires a contract whose subject matter exceeds 25 currency points (UGX 500,000) to be in writing (s.9), and guarantees and land transactions have their own writing rules. So a verbal deal for a small sum can bind, but a large or land deal usually will not unless it is written.
A little more detail
Even where a verbal contract is valid, it is far harder to prove — put important agreements in writing and keep the evidence.
What to do next
If you are putting a deal in writing, see the contract drafting and execution checklists.
The law
- Contracts Act, Cap. 284 (2023 Revision) — ss.9, 10.
Quick guide · 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.