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Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act

Current version
Enacted—
Commenced—
Last amended—
Repealed — not in force. This Act is shown for reference only. Confirm the current position against the latest Uganda Gazette before relying on it.

About this Act

A full descriptive summary for this Act has not been recorded yet.

Jurisdiction
Uganda
Type
Principal Legislation
Status
Repealed
Language
English

Full text of the Act

0 parts · 34 sections

Enhanced Annotated View adds approved, source-linked propositions, operative requirements, judicial passages, related provisions, amendment notes and authority status. Choose Original PDF to inspect the source consolidation.

Uganda

Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act

1. Amendment of Cap.19

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Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Amendment of Cap.19”.

“Amendment of Cap.19”
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Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Amendment of Cap.19”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

2. Amendment of section 2 of principal Act

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Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Amendment of section 2 of principal Act”.

“Amendment of section 2 of principal Act”
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Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Amendment of section 2 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

3. Repeal of section 3 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Repeal of section 3 of principal Act”.

“Repeal of section 3 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Repeal of section 3 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

4. Substitution of section 4 of principal Act

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Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Substitution of section 4 of principal Act”.

“Substitution of section 4 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Substitution of section 4 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

5. Repeal of section 8 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Repeal of section 8 of principal Act”.

“Repeal of section 8 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Repeal of section 8 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

6. Amendment of section 161 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Amendment of section 161 of principal Act”.

“Amendment of section 161 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Amendment of section 161 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

7. Amendment of section 162 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Amendment of section 162 of principal Act”.

“Amendment of section 162 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Amendment of section 162 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

8. Repeal of section 173 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Repeal of section 173 of principal Act”.

“Repeal of section 173 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Repeal of section 173 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

9. Amendment of section 203 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Amendment of section 203 of principal Act”.

“Amendment of section 203 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Amendment of section 203 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

10. Amendment of section 206 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Amendment of section 206 of principal Act”.

“Amendment of section 206 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Amendment of section 206 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

11. Insertion of section 217A in principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Insertion of section 217A in principal Act”.

“Insertion of section 217A in principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Insertion of section 217A in principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

12. Amendment of section 218 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Amendment of section 218 of principal Act”.

“Amendment of section 218 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Amendment of section 218 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

13. Amendment of section 219 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Amendment of section 219 of principal Act”.

“Amendment of section 219 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Amendment of section 219 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

14. Amendment of section 227 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Amendment of section 227 of principal Act”.

“Amendment of section 227 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Amendment of section 227 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

15. Repeal of Schedules 2 and 3 of principal Act

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Repeal of Schedules 2 and 3 of principal Act”.

“Repeal of Schedules 2 and 3 of principal Act”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Repeal of Schedules 2 and 3 of principal Act”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

16. Consequential amendment of Cap. 19 and any other enactment

The text of this section isn't in the consolidation we hold — see the original PDF above.

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Governing rule

This section states the governing statutory rule for “Consequential amendment of Cap. 19 and any other enactment”.

“Consequential amendment of Cap. 19 and any other enactment”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this section as the starting statutory rule for “Consequential amendment of Cap. 19 and any other enactment”, together with the linked provisions and current consolidation.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

0

This section states a single governing proposition and does not enumerate separate elements.

Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions

No express internal or cross-Act reference appears in this section.

Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

17. Transitional provision

Act 6 Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act 2026

Act 6 Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act 2026

THE MAGISTRATES COURTS (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2026 An Act to amend the Magistrates Courts Act, Cap. 19 to increase the pecuniary jurisdiction of magistrates courts; to enhance the powers of magistrates to impose higher fines; to abolish the position of magistrate grade II; to provide for the designation of magisterial areas; to provide for transitional provisions and for related matters. Date of Assent: 29th April, 2026

Date of Commencement: 8th May, 2026

BE IT ENACTED by Parliament as follows:

Section analysis Source-linked statutory analysis Source linked
Approved statute annotation. Statutory quotations are matched to this consolidation and judicial passages are linked to judgments. Check the primary sources alongside this analysis.
What this section does
Jurisdictional rule

This section establishes the jurisdictional rule for “Transitional provision”.

“Act 6 Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act 2026”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

A litigant should establish this jurisdictional basis before asking the court to determine the merits.

Deterministic editorial synthesis — not a substitute for the statutory text Editorial synthesis approved
Elements or requirements

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

1
  1. Date of Commencement: 8th May, 2026
Judicial interpretation

Express propositions in source-matched passages from judgments citing this section.

0

No judgment in the current Wakilii corpus expressly cites this section. Bare rule-number references are not assigned where the Order cannot be verified.

Related provisions
Magistrates Courts Act
Amendment notes

No section-specific amendment note or instrument-level amendment history appears in this consolidation.

Authority status: legislation is primary authority; judgment weight follows the displayed court level and the ratio caveat. Check version history

1. Amendment of Cap.

The Magistrates Courts Act, in this Act referred to as the "principal Act", is amended in section 1(2) by repealing paragraphs (a) and (c).

2. Amendment of section 2 of principal Act

The principal Act is amended by substituting for section 2 , the following- " 2. Magisterial areas The Chief Justice may, acting on the advice of the Judiciary Council and by statutory instrument, designate magisterial areas and magistrates courts for the purposes of this Act."

Act 6 Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act 2026

3. Repeal of section 3 of principal Act

Section 3 of the principal Act is repealed.

4. Substitution of section 4 of principal Act

The principal Act is amended by substituting for section 4 , the following-

"4. Appointment of magistrates (1) There shall be appointed such number of magistrates of such rank as the Chief Justice shall, in consultation with the Judiciary Council and in accordance with the approved structure of the Judiciary, determine.

(2)

Magistrates shall be of the following ranks-

(a)

chief magistrate; and

(b)

magistrate.

(3)

The power and jurisdiction of a chief magistrate or magistrate shall be the powers and jurisdiction vested in the chief magistrate or magistrate under this Act and any other written law."

5. Repeal of section 8 of principal Act

Section 8 of the principal Act is repealed.

6. Amendment of section 161 of principal Act

Section 161 of the principal Act is amended in subsection (1) by repealing paragraph (c).

7. Amendment of section 162 of principal Act

Section 162 of the principal Act is amended in subsection 1-

Act 6 Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act 2026

(a)

in paragraph (b), by substituting for the words "two hundred forty currency points", the words "five hundred currency points"; and

(b)

by repealing paragraph (c).

8. Repeal of section 173 of principal Act

Section 173 of the principal Act is repealed.

9. Amendment of section 203 of principal Act

Section 203 of the principal Act is amended- (a) in subsection (1), by repealing paragraph (b); (b) in subsection (4), by repealing paragraph (b); (c) by repealing subsection (5); and (d) by repealing subsection (6).

10. Amendment of section 206 of principal Act

Section 206 of the principal Act is amended-

(a)

in subsection (1)- (i) in paragraph (a), by substituting for the words "fifty million shillings", the words "ten thousand currency points";

(ii)

by substituting for paragraph (b), the following - "(b) a magistrate shall have jurisdiction where the value of the subject matter does not exceed five thousand currency points;";

(iii)

by repealing paragraph (c); and Act 6 Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act 2026

(b)

by inserting immediately after subsection (1), the following- "(1a) The Minister may, acting on the advice of the Chief Justice and with the approval of Parliament, by statutory instrument, alter the civil jurisdiction of magistrates prescribed under subsection (1) (a) and (b)."

11. Insertion of section 217A in principal

Act The principal Act is amended by inserting immediately after section 217 , the following- "217A. Power of chief magistrates court to withdraw and transfer cases (1) On the application of any of the parties to a suit, appeal or other proceeding and after notice to the parties and hearing any of the parties that desire to be heard, or on its own motion, for just cause, without that notice- (a) a chief magistrates court may transfer any suit, appeal or other proceeding pending before it for trial or disposal to the High Court;

(b)

a chief magistrates court may withdraw any suit, appeal or other proceeding pending before a magistrate in the same court or magisterial area, and- (i) try or dispose of it;

(ii)

transfer it to the High Court for trial or disposal; or (iii) transfer it to another magistrate for trial, or return it to the magistrate from whom it was withdrawn, for disposal.

Act 6 Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act 2026

(2)

Where any suit or proceeding has been transferred or withdrawn under this section, the court to which it is transferred may, subject to any special directions in the order of transfer, either retry it or proceed from the point at which it was transferred or withdrawn."

12. Amendment of section 218 of principal Act

Section 218 of the principal Act is amended by repealing subsection (2).

13. Amendment of section 219 of principal Act

Section 219 of the principal Act is amended- (a) in subsection (1), by repealing paragraph (b); and (b) by repealing subsection (2).

14. Amendment of section 227 of principal Act

Section 227 of the principal Act is amended by repealing subsection (2).

15. Repeal of Schedules 2 and 3

of principal Act Schedules 2 and 3 of the principal Act are repealed

16. Consequential amendment of Cap. 19 and

any other enactment The Magistrates Courts Act and any other enactment in force at the commencement of this Act is amended (a) by substituting for the words "magistrate grade I", wherever the words appear, the word "magistrate"; and

(b)

by deleting the words "magistrate grade II" wherever the words appear.

17. Transitional provision

(1)

Where, by reason of the amendment made under section 10 of this Act to section 206 (1) (a) of the principal Act, any cause that Act 6 Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act 2026 is pending before the High Court at the commencement of this Act, that would otherwise have been triable by a chief magistrate court, if such cause had commenced after the coming into force of this Act, any such cause shall be transferred to the court presided over by a chief magistrate and be heard by that court if, the hearing of the case before the High Court has not commenced or if the High Court is satisfied that it is fair for such transfer to be made.

(2)

Where, by reason of the amendment under section 10 of this Act to section 206 (1) (b) of the principal Act, any cause pending before the High Court or a court presided over by a chief magistrate at the commencement of this Act, would have been triable by a court presided over by a magistrate, if such cause had commenced after the coming into force of this Act, any such cause shall be transferred to a court presided over by a magistrate to be heard by that court if, the High Court or the chief magistrate has not commenced hearing the case, or if the High Court or the chief magistrate as the case may be, is satisfied that it is fair for such a transfer to be made.

(3)

The Chief Justice shall issue practice directions on the transfer of the causes referred to in subsections (1) and (2).

Original Laws of Uganda consolidation — public-domain legislation, consolidated by ULII / Laws.Africa (CC BY 4.0). This is a point-in-time text and may not reflect later amendments; confirm against the latest Uganda Gazette before relying on it.