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Public Holidays Act

Act 1965 No. 23 Act 23 of 1965 Current version · as at 31 December 2023

An Act to provide for public holidays.

Enacted1965
Commenced30 July 1965
Last amended28 July 2023Act 17 of 2023
Point-in-time consolidation · as at 31 December 2023. This page may not reflect amendments made after that date. Confirm the current position against the latest Uganda Gazette before relying on it.

About this Act

An Act to provide for public holidays.

Jurisdiction
Uganda
Type
Principal Legislation
Status
In force
Language
English

Amendments

1 amending instrument
  1. 28 July 2023 Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023 Act 17 of 2023

Full text of the Act

0 parts · 5 sections · 2 Schedules

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

Public Holidays Act

Act 1965 No. 23

Commenced on 30 July 1965

[This is the version of this document at 31 December 2023.]

An Act to provide for public holidays.

1. Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires

"currency point" has the value assigned to it in Schedule 1 to this Act;

"public holiday" means a public holiday specified by this Act.

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
Definition

This section supplies the definitions or statutory meaning governing “Interpretation”.

“In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires "currency point" has the value assigned to it in Schedule 1 to this Act;”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

Use this definition when interpreting other provisions that employ the language addressed by “Interpretation”.

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. "public holiday" means a public holiday specified by this Act.
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 note is recorded. Act-level consolidation history:

  • [Amended by Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023 (Act 17 of 2023) on 28 July 2023]

Act-level history only · Do not infer that every amendment changed this section

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

2. Public holidays

(1)

The days specified in Schedule 2 to this Act are declared to be public holidays, which, subject to this Act, shall in every year be kept and observed as public holidays throughout Uganda.

(2)

In addition to the public holidays prescribed by subsection (1), the President may declare any other day to be a public holiday, and may limit the observation of any such public holiday to any area or place in Uganda.

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
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Public holidays”.

“(1) The days specified in Schedule 2 to this Act are declared to be public holidays, which, subject to this Act, shall in every year be kept and observed as public holidays throughout Uganda.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The power must be exercised by the authorised decision-maker, within the conditions and purpose stated in the section.

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

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

2
  1. (1) The days specified in Schedule 2 to this Act are declared to be public holidays, which, subject to this Act, shall in every year be kept and observed as public holidays throughout Uganda.
  2. (2) In addition to the public holidays prescribed by subsection (1), the President may declare any other day to be a public holiday, and may limit the observation of any such public holiday to any area or place in Uganda.
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 note is recorded. Act-level consolidation history:

  • [Amended by Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023 (Act 17 of 2023) on 28 July 2023]

Act-level history only · Do not infer that every amendment changed this section

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

3. Remuneration for holiday work

(1)

Every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees in respect of every public holiday, the full remuneration which would have been payable to the employee for a full day's work if that day had not been a public holiday.

(2)

Where any employee attends or performs work for a full day or more on a public holiday, the employer shall pay to the employee in addition to the remuneration prescribed by subsection (1) an amount of money not less than the remuneration which would have been payable to the employee for the work if that day had not been a public holiday or shall grant the employee leave with full pay in lieu of the public holiday.

(3)

Where any employee attends and performs work for part only of a public holiday, an employer shall pay to the employee in addition to the remuneration prescribed by subsection (1), the proportion of the remuneration for a full day's work on that day if that day had not been a public holiday, represented by the number of hours for which the employee has performed work.

(4)

Where any payment is required to be made under subsection (1), (2) or (3) in respect of any public holiday, the payment shall be made within one month after the public holiday.

(5)

Any person who contravenes subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding 2.4 currency points.

(6)

In any proceedings against an employer under this section, the court may, on conviction, order the employer to pay, in addition to the fine if any, such sum of money as appears to the court to be due to the employee on account of any remuneration payable to him or her under this section, and may in that order, specify the time within which the payment shall be made.

(7)

This section shall not apply in relation to a public holiday declared under section 2(2) , if the declaration states that it is or is to be an unpaid public holiday.

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
Offence or consequence

This section creates or governs statutory liability concerning “Remuneration for holiday work”.

“(1) Every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees in respect of every public holiday, the full remuneration which would have been payable to the employee for a full day's work if that day had not been a public holiday.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

A party alleging or defending liability should test the facts and prescribed consequence against each operative requirement.

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

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

7
  1. (1) Every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees in respect of every public holiday, the full remuneration which would have been payable to the employee for a full day's work if that day had not been a public holiday.
  2. (2) Where any employee attends or performs work for a full day or more on a public holiday, the employer shall pay to the employee in addition to the remuneration prescribed by subsection (1) an amount of money not less than the remuneration which would have been payable to the employee for the work if that day had not been a public holiday or shall grant the employee leave with full pay in lieu of the public holiday.
  3. (3) Where any employee attends and performs work for part only of a public holiday, an employer shall pay to the employee in addition to the remuneration prescribed by subsection (1), the proportion of the remuneration for a full day's work on that day if that day had not been a public holiday, represented by the number of hours for which the employee has performed work.
  4. (4) Where any payment is required to be made under subsection (1), (2) or (3) in respect of any public holiday, the payment shall be made within one month after the public holiday.
  5. (5) Any person who contravenes subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding 2.4 currency points.
  6. (6) In any proceedings against an employer under this section, the court may, on conviction, order the employer to pay, in addition to the fine if any, such sum of money as appears to the court to be due to the employee on account of any remuneration payable to him or her under this section, and may in that order, specify the time within which the payment shall be made.
  7. (7) This section shall not apply in relation to a public holiday declared under section 2(2), if the declaration states that it is or is to be an unpaid public holiday.
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
Section 2 · Public holidays
Amendment notes

No section-specific note is recorded. Act-level consolidation history:

  • [Amended by Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023 (Act 17 of 2023) on 28 July 2023]

Act-level history only · Do not infer that every amendment changed this section

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

4. Act binds Government

This Act, with the exception of section 3(2) , (4), (5) and (6) shall bind the Government

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
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Act binds Government”.

“This Act, with the exception of section 3(2), (4), (5) and (6) shall bind the Government”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The provision uses mandatory language; the responsible person or institution should be able to demonstrate compliance.

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. This Act, with the exception of section 3(2), (4), (5) and (6) shall bind the Government
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
Section 3 · Remuneration for holiday work
Amendment notes

No section-specific note is recorded. Act-level consolidation history:

  • [Amended by Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023 (Act 17 of 2023) on 28 July 2023]

Act-level history only · Do not infer that every amendment changed this section

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

5. Power to amend Schedule 1

The Minister responsible for finance may, by statutory instrument, with the approval of Cabinet, amend Schedule 1 to this Act Schedule 1 (Sections 1 , 5 )

Currency point A currency point is equivalent to twenty thousand shillings.

Schedule 2 (Section 2 )

Public holidays Archbishop Janan Luwum Day - 16th February

Birth of Prophet Muhammed Day

Boxing Day - 26th December

Christmas Day - 25th December

Easter Monday

Good Friday

Idd Adhua

Idd el-Fitr Day

Idd-ul-Zuho Day

Independence Day - 9th October

Labour Day - 1st May

Martyrs' Day - 3rd June

National Heroes Day - 9th June

New Year's Day - 1st January

Women's Day - 8th March

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
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Power to amend Schedule 1”.

“The Minister responsible for finance may, by statutory instrument, with the approval of Cabinet, amend Schedule 1 to this Act Schedule 1 (Sections 1, 5)”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

The power must be exercised by the authorised decision-maker, within the conditions and purpose stated in the section.

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

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

2
  1. The Minister responsible for finance may, by statutory instrument, with the approval of Cabinet, amend Schedule 1 to this Act Schedule 1 (Sections 1, 5)
  2. Labour Day - 1st May
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
Section 1 · Interpretation Section 2 · Public holidays
Amendment notes

No section-specific note is recorded. Act-level consolidation history:

  • [Amended by Law Revision (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2023 (Act 17 of 2023) on 28 July 2023]

Act-level history only · Do not infer that every amendment changed this section

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

Original Laws of Uganda consolidation (as at 31 December 2023) — 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.