Suing the Government in Uganda
In brief
Claims against the Government, local authorities and scheduled corporations are subject to a mandatory pre-action statutory notice and a shorter two-year limitation period in tort. Miss either and the suit is liable to be defeated regardless of merits.
1. Governing law
The Government can be sued, but on terms. The Civil Procedure and Limitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act requires written statutory notice of intention to sue before proceedings are brought, and imposes a two-year limitation period for actions founded on tort against Government and listed bodies. The Government Proceedings Act governs how such proceedings are brought and against whom (typically the Attorney General).
2. Key statutes & rules
- Civil Procedure and Limitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, — s.2 (statutory notice: 45 days for contract, 90 days otherwise); s.3(1) (tort against Government: 2 years).
- Government Proceedings Act — civil proceedings by and against the Government; suit against the Attorney General.
3. Practical guidance
Serve the statutory notice first and keep proof — count the 45 / 90 days before filing.
Diarise the two-year tort limitation period from accrual.
Name the correct defendant (commonly the Attorney General).
Confirm whether the body is one to which the special regime applies.
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.