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Statutory Declarations Act

Act 2000 No. 10 Act 10 of 2000 Current version · as at 31 December 2023

An Act to provide for the making of statutory declarations and for related matters.

Enacted2000
Commenced23 June 2000
Last amended—
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 the making of statutory declarations and for related matters.

Jurisdiction
Uganda
Type
Principal Legislation
Status
In force
Language
English

Full text of the Act

0 parts · 9 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

Statutory Declarations Act

Act 2000 No. 10

Commenced on 23 June 2000

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

An Act to provide for the making of statutory declarations and for related matters.

Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires

"Commissioner for Oaths" means a Commissioner for Oaths appointed under the Commissioners for Oaths (Advocates) Act;

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

"judge" means the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, a justice of the Supreme Court, a justice of the Court of Appeal and a judge of the High Court, and includes an acting judge;

"justice of the peace" means a justice of the peace appointed under the Justices of the Peace Act;

"notary public" means a notary public licensed under the Notaries Public Act;

"Registrar" means the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or the High Court.

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 "Commissioner for Oaths" means a Commissioner for Oaths appointed under the Commissioners for Oaths (Advocates) 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.

5
  1. "currency point" has the value assigned to it in Schedule 1 to this Act;
  2. "judge" means the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, a justice of the Supreme Court, a justice of the Court of Appeal and a judge of the High Court, and includes an acting judge;
  3. "justice of the peace" means a justice of the peace appointed under the Justices of the Peace Act;
  4. "notary public" means a notary public licensed under the Notaries Public Act;
  5. "Registrar" means the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or the High Court.
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
Commissioners for Oaths (Advocates) Act Justices of the Peace Act Notaries Public 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

Restriction on use of affidavits

After the commencement of this Act, no affidavit shall be sworn for any purpose, except (a) where it relates to any proceedings, application or other matter commenced in any court or referable to a court; or

(b)

where under any written law an affidavit is authorised to be sworn.

Section analysis 1 source-matched judicial passage 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 “Restriction on use of affidavits”.

“After the commencement of this Act, no affidavit shall be sworn for any purpose, except (a) where it relates to any proceedings, application or other matter commenced in any court or referable to a court; or”
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. (b) where under any written law an affidavit is authorised to be sworn.
Judicial interpretation

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

2
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

Use of statutory declarations

(1)

In every case to which section 2 does not apply, a person wishing to depone to any fact for any purpose may do so by means of a statutory declaration.

(2)

Where any person has sworn to an affidavit for any purpose other than a purpose referred to in section 2 , that affidavit shall, nevertheless, be taken for all purposes to be a statutory declaration.

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 “Use of statutory declarations”.

“(1) In every case to which section 2 does not apply, a person wishing to depone to any fact for any purpose may do so by means of a statutory declaration.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

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

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) In every case to which section 2 does not apply, a person wishing to depone to any fact for any purpose may do so by means of a statutory declaration.
  2. (2) Where any person has sworn to an affidavit for any purpose other than a purpose referred to in section 2, that affidavit shall, nevertheless, be taken for all purposes to be a statutory declaration.
Judicial interpretation

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

2

Citing judgments are indexed, but no express interpretive proposition has yet passed the passage-verification threshold. Open Judicial treatment for the citing passages.

Related provisions
Section 2 · Restriction on use of affidavits
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

Form of statutory declaration

A statutory declaration shall be in the form specified in Schedule 2 to 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
Mandatory duty

This section imposes mandatory requirements concerning “Form of statutory declaration”.

“A statutory declaration shall be in the form specified in Schedule 2 to this Act”
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. A statutory declaration shall be in the form specified in Schedule 2 to 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 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

Procedure for making statutory declarations

(1)

A judge, the Registrar, a magistrate, or a justice of the peace, a notary public and any Commissioner for Oaths may take and receive the statutory declaration of any person voluntarily making it before him or her and shall certify it under his or her signature.

(2)

For the avoidance of doubt, the officers referred to in section 13 of the Oaths Act may take a statutory declaration under this Act, in similar circumstances as the administration of an oath under that section; and any statutory declaration taken under this section shall have the same effect as an oath administered under that section.

(3)

Section 7 shall apply to a statutory declaration taken under this section.

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
Procedural rule

This section establishes the governing procedure for “Procedure for making statutory declarations”.

“(1) A judge, the Registrar, a magistrate, or a justice of the peace, a notary public and any Commissioner for Oaths may take and receive the statutory declaration of any person voluntarily making it before him or her and shall certify it under his or her signature.”
Primary legislation Source quotation matched
Practical effect

A litigant should address this rule at the procedural stage named in the section and preserve evidence of compliance.

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

Operative requirements extracted from the consolidated text.

3
  1. (1) A judge, the Registrar, a magistrate, or a justice of the peace, a notary public and any Commissioner for Oaths may take and receive the statutory declaration of any person voluntarily making it before him or her and shall certify it under his or her signature.
  2. (2) For the avoidance of doubt, the officers referred to in section 13 of the Oaths Act may take a statutory declaration under this Act, in similar circumstances as the administration of an oath under that section; and any statutory declaration taken under this section shall have the same effect as an oath administered under that section.
  3. (3) Section 7 shall apply to a statutory declaration taken under this section.
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 7 · Offences and penalties Oaths 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

Taking statutory declarations outside Uganda

(1)

A person wishing to depone outside Uganda to any fact for any purpose in Uganda may make a statutory declaration before any person authorised to take a statutory declaration by the law of the country in which the declaration is made.

(2)

Judicial and official notice shall be taken of the signature and seal of the person taking a statutory declaration under this section and affixed, impressed or subscribed to any statutory declaration referred to in subsection (1).

(3)

A statutory declaration taken outside Uganda under this section shall not be admissible in evidence unless it is registered with the registrar of documents under the Registration of Documents 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
Statutory power

This section confers or regulates the statutory power described as “Taking statutory declarations outside Uganda”.

“(1) A person wishing to depone outside Uganda to any fact for any purpose in Uganda may make a statutory declaration before any person authorised to take a statutory declaration by the law of the country in which the declaration is made.”
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.

3
  1. (1) A person wishing to depone outside Uganda to any fact for any purpose in Uganda may make a statutory declaration before any person authorised to take a statutory declaration by the law of the country in which the declaration is made.
  2. (2) Judicial and official notice shall be taken of the signature and seal of the person taking a statutory declaration under this section and affixed, impressed or subscribed to any statutory declaration referred to in subsection (1).
  3. (3) A statutory declaration taken outside Uganda under this section shall not be admissible in evidence unless it is registered with the registrar of documents under the Registration of Documents Act.
Judicial interpretation

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

1

Citing judgments are indexed, but no express interpretive proposition has yet passed the passage-verification threshold. Open Judicial treatment for the citing passages.

Related provisions
Registration of Documents 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

Offences and penalties

(1)

Any person who-

(a)

makes a statutory declaration which he or she knows to be false in a material particular;

(b)

recklessly makes a statutory declaration false in a material particular; or

(c)

utters or presents as true, a false statutory declaration knowing it to be false, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.

(2)

For the avoidance of doubt, subsection (1) shall apply to all statutory declarations including any declaration provided for under any other law, notwithstanding any other penalty prescribed in that law.

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 “Offences and penalties”.

“(1) Any person who-”
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.

5
  1. (1) Any person who-
  2. (a) makes a statutory declaration which he or she knows to be false in a material particular;
  3. (b) recklessly makes a statutory declaration false in a material particular; or
  4. (c) utters or presents as true, a false statutory declaration knowing it to be false, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.
  5. (2) For the avoidance of doubt, subsection (1) shall apply to all statutory declarations including any declaration provided for under any other law, notwithstanding any other penalty prescribed in that law.
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

Fees

The fees payable on the making of a statutory declaration shall be the same as those payable on the taking of an affidavit

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 “Fees”.

“The fees payable on the making of a statutory declaration shall be the same as those payable on the taking of an affidavit”
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. The fees payable on the making of a statutory declaration shall be the same as those payable on the taking of an affidavit
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

Power to amend Schedule 1

The Minister responsible for justice may, by statutory instrument, with the approval of Cabinet, amend Schedule 1 to this Act Schedule 1 (Sections 1 , 9 )

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

Schedule 2 (Section 4 )

Form of Statutory Declaration I, ____________________, (full name and address) solemnly and sincerely declare that ____________________________________ and I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing it to be true, in accordance with the Statutory Declarations Act.

Dated this _____________ day of ___________, 20______________.

________________ Signature of Declarant

Declared on this ______________ day of ___________, 20___________, at ______________________________ (state place)

Before me

________________

Signature of person taking declaration

(Judge, Registrar, Magistrate, Justice of the Peace, etc.)

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 justice may, by statutory instrument, with the approval of Cabinet, amend Schedule 1 to this Act Schedule 1 (Sections 1, 9)”
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.

1
  1. The Minister responsible for justice may, by statutory instrument, with the approval of Cabinet, amend Schedule 1 to this Act Schedule 1 (Sections 1, 9)
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 4 · Form of statutory declaration
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

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.