Procedure and Certificates

Uganda Legal Analysis

 The Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority may give written authorization to staff members to correct any errors in the birth register or in a birth certificate, without charge. This provision appears to be aimed at clerical errors and omissions.
The law on birth registration sets out four situations where amendment is allowed in respect of children’s birth records, which include contested paternity situations, amendments to name of the child, amendments to sex markers, and particulars in the case of adoptions. In the case of contested paternity, there is provision for adding the particulars of a father via a joint request by both parents, a DNA test result or a court order establishing paternity. No fee is mentioned for the addition of the father to the register of births. However, a person contesting parentage is responsible for the costs of the DNA test. There is also a fee for applications for proof of parentage, although it can be excused for persons who cannot afford to pay.
In the case of amending name of child, the parents or guardian of a child under age 18 may apply to change the name of the child. There is no fee for such a name change for Ugandan citizens if the child is under 6 years of age, but non-citizens must pay a fee regardless of the child’s age.
There are more general (and in some respects contradictory) provisions on errors and changes of particulars in the National Identification Register, which encompasses the register of births. The person affected by an error must notify the Authority within 90 days of becoming aware of it. The Authority must rectify the register accordingly if satisfied that an error occurred. Fees may be charged only where the error was the fault of the person to whom the information relates. Where there is a change of particulars, the person affected is required to notify the Authority within 90 days of the change and to provide supporting documents including a deed poll. Fees may be charged only if the change requires the issue of a new identification card (change of name, date of birth, place of birth or sex) – noting that ID cards are issued only to person who have reached age 16.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The minimum information required goes beyond UN Guidance, including the child’s birth weight and whether the child has any disability, as well as the nationality, residential and postal address, marital status, level of education and profession or occupation of both parents. The Act, the regulations and the form for notification of birth are not in complete agreement about the particulars required, and the discrepancies could lead to confusion for persons notifying births, as well as for registrars.
The law provides no discretion to register births when the information is incomplete; in fact, the Act states that the registration officer must ensure that a person notifying a birth has provided the listed particulars before entering any information in the register. Refusal to state any of the required particulars is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months – but this would apply only where the particulars were known to the informant.
In cases where paterntity is constested, there is a specific procedure in the law. The law requires a joint action by the father and mother of the child appearing physically before the registration officer, or the production of DNA test results or a court order establishing paternity before the father can be entered in the register of births.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority. However, neither the Act nor the regulations specifies what evidence may be required for this purpose.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law is silent on what evidence is required to notify births occurring inside Uganda to Ugandan citizen parents. Where a parent of a child born inside Uganda is a non-citizen, the register of births must contain the details of that parent’s passport or other travel document – suggesting that the passport or travel document may be required upon notification. Where a parent of a child is a recognized refugee, the register of births must contain the details of the refugee – suggesting that the documentation of refugee status may be required upon notification.
NIRA Guidance issued in 2022 directs all persons to provide a Birth Notification Record issued by the medical facility, sub-county, town council or division where the birth occurred, proof of payment of any applicable birth certificate fees and unspecified other information as may be required. Ugandan nationals are directed to provide a photocopy of the national ID of at least one of the parents, while foreigners are directed to provide a photocopy of the passport of at least one of the parents

Uganda Legal Analysis

The regulations make provision for a prescribed fee to be imposed where birth notification does not take place immediately, but no such fee appears to have been enacted.
Failure to comply with the duty to register a birth within the prescribed period (30 days in the Regulations) is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months. The maximum fine is six currency points. (Currency points can be amended by the Minister responsible for finance with the approval of Cabinet. As of December 2023, one currency point was valued at 20 000 shillings, making six currency points equivalent to 120 000 shillings.)
There is a sliding scale of fees for the issue of a birth certificate that is tied to the time of birth registration. A birth certificate for citizens is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months, increases to 10,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 months and 6 years of age, increases again to 20,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 years and 18 years of age, and is highest at 50,000 shillings for persons above age 18. There are different fees for foreigners, but no fee is charged at any stage for the birth certificate of a child born to a refugee.

Uganda Legal Analysis

There are no fees for on-time birth registration, and a birth certificate is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The Act imposes a duty to report births immediately after they occur (on in the case of a foundling, immediately after the child is found). Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided, and only after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority.
According to the regulations, if a birth occurs in any place other than a medical facility (including a birth in a prison, orphanage, barracks or quarantine station) – or where a person finds a child whose parents are unknown - the birth must be notified within 30 days. This appears to contradict the Act’s requirement for immediate notification of births and discovery of foundlings.
The regulations also state that, after the prescribed period for the registration of a birth has expired (prescribed period in the regulations is 30 days for on-time birth registration), there is a one-month grace period during which the birth may still be registered.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law does not address place of registration for births occurring on ships, airplanes, trains or any other moving vehicles.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births must be notified in the registration area where the birth occurs.

Uganda Legal Analysis

 The Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority may give written authorization to staff members to correct any errors in the birth register or in a birth certificate, without charge. This provision appears to be aimed at clerical errors and omissions.
The law on birth registration sets out four situations where amendment is allowed in respect of children’s birth records, which include contested paternity situations, amendments to name of the child, amendments to sex markers, and particulars in the case of adoptions. In the case of contested paternity, there is provision for adding the particulars of a father via a joint request by both parents, a DNA test result or a court order establishing paternity. No fee is mentioned for the addition of the father to the register of births. However, a person contesting parentage is responsible for the costs of the DNA test. There is also a fee for applications for proof of parentage, although it can be excused for persons who cannot afford to pay.
In the case of amending name of child, the parents or guardian of a child under age 18 may apply to change the name of the child. There is no fee for such a name change for Ugandan citizens if the child is under 6 years of age, but non-citizens must pay a fee regardless of the child’s age.
There are more general (and in some respects contradictory) provisions on errors and changes of particulars in the National Identification Register, which encompasses the register of births. The person affected by an error must notify the Authority within 90 days of becoming aware of it. The Authority must rectify the register accordingly if satisfied that an error occurred. Fees may be charged only where the error was the fault of the person to whom the information relates. Where there is a change of particulars, the person affected is required to notify the Authority within 90 days of the change and to provide supporting documents including a deed poll. Fees may be charged only if the change requires the issue of a new identification card (change of name, date of birth, place of birth or sex) – noting that ID cards are issued only to person who have reached age 16.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The minimum information required goes beyond UN Guidance, including the child’s birth weight and whether the child has any disability, as well as the nationality, residential and postal address, marital status, level of education and profession or occupation of both parents. The Act, the regulations and the form for notification of birth are not in complete agreement about the particulars required, and the discrepancies could lead to confusion for persons notifying births, as well as for registrars.
The law provides no discretion to register births when the information is incomplete; in fact, the Act states that the registration officer must ensure that a person notifying a birth has provided the listed particulars before entering any information in the register. Refusal to state any of the required particulars is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months – but this would apply only where the particulars were known to the informant.
In cases where paterntity is constested, there is a specific procedure in the law. The law requires a joint action by the father and mother of the child appearing physically before the registration officer, or the production of DNA test results or a court order establishing paternity before the father can be entered in the register of births.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority. However, neither the Act nor the regulations specifies what evidence may be required for this purpose.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law is silent on what evidence is required to notify births occurring inside Uganda to Ugandan citizen parents. Where a parent of a child born inside Uganda is a non-citizen, the register of births must contain the details of that parent’s passport or other travel document – suggesting that the passport or travel document may be required upon notification. Where a parent of a child is a recognized refugee, the register of births must contain the details of the refugee – suggesting that the documentation of refugee status may be required upon notification.
NIRA Guidance issued in 2022 directs all persons to provide a Birth Notification Record issued by the medical facility, sub-county, town council or division where the birth occurred, proof of payment of any applicable birth certificate fees and unspecified other information as may be required. Ugandan nationals are directed to provide a photocopy of the national ID of at least one of the parents, while foreigners are directed to provide a photocopy of the passport of at least one of the parents

Uganda Legal Analysis

The regulations make provision for a prescribed fee to be imposed where birth notification does not take place immediately, but no such fee appears to have been enacted.
Failure to comply with the duty to register a birth within the prescribed period (30 days in the Regulations) is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months. The maximum fine is six currency points. (Currency points can be amended by the Minister responsible for finance with the approval of Cabinet. As of December 2023, one currency point was valued at 20 000 shillings, making six currency points equivalent to 120 000 shillings.)
There is a sliding scale of fees for the issue of a birth certificate that is tied to the time of birth registration. A birth certificate for citizens is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months, increases to 10,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 months and 6 years of age, increases again to 20,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 years and 18 years of age, and is highest at 50,000 shillings for persons above age 18. There are different fees for foreigners, but no fee is charged at any stage for the birth certificate of a child born to a refugee.

Uganda Legal Analysis

There are no fees for on-time birth registration, and a birth certificate is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The Act imposes a duty to report births immediately after they occur (on in the case of a foundling, immediately after the child is found). Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided, and only after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority.
According to the regulations, if a birth occurs in any place other than a medical facility (including a birth in a prison, orphanage, barracks or quarantine station) – or where a person finds a child whose parents are unknown - the birth must be notified within 30 days. This appears to contradict the Act’s requirement for immediate notification of births and discovery of foundlings.
The regulations also state that, after the prescribed period for the registration of a birth has expired (prescribed period in the regulations is 30 days for on-time birth registration), there is a one-month grace period during which the birth may still be registered.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law does not address place of registration for births occurring on ships, airplanes, trains or any other moving vehicles.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births must be notified in the registration area where the birth occurs.

Uganda Legal Analysis

 The Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority may give written authorization to staff members to correct any errors in the birth register or in a birth certificate, without charge. This provision appears to be aimed at clerical errors and omissions.
The law on birth registration sets out four situations where amendment is allowed in respect of children’s birth records, which include contested paternity situations, amendments to name of the child, amendments to sex markers, and particulars in the case of adoptions. In the case of contested paternity, there is provision for adding the particulars of a father via a joint request by both parents, a DNA test result or a court order establishing paternity. No fee is mentioned for the addition of the father to the register of births. However, a person contesting parentage is responsible for the costs of the DNA test. There is also a fee for applications for proof of parentage, although it can be excused for persons who cannot afford to pay.
In the case of amending name of child, the parents or guardian of a child under age 18 may apply to change the name of the child. There is no fee for such a name change for Ugandan citizens if the child is under 6 years of age, but non-citizens must pay a fee regardless of the child’s age.
There are more general (and in some respects contradictory) provisions on errors and changes of particulars in the National Identification Register, which encompasses the register of births. The person affected by an error must notify the Authority within 90 days of becoming aware of it. The Authority must rectify the register accordingly if satisfied that an error occurred. Fees may be charged only where the error was the fault of the person to whom the information relates. Where there is a change of particulars, the person affected is required to notify the Authority within 90 days of the change and to provide supporting documents including a deed poll. Fees may be charged only if the change requires the issue of a new identification card (change of name, date of birth, place of birth or sex) – noting that ID cards are issued only to person who have reached age 16.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The minimum information required goes beyond UN Guidance, including the child’s birth weight and whether the child has any disability, as well as the nationality, residential and postal address, marital status, level of education and profession or occupation of both parents. The Act, the regulations and the form for notification of birth are not in complete agreement about the particulars required, and the discrepancies could lead to confusion for persons notifying births, as well as for registrars.
The law provides no discretion to register births when the information is incomplete; in fact, the Act states that the registration officer must ensure that a person notifying a birth has provided the listed particulars before entering any information in the register. Refusal to state any of the required particulars is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months – but this would apply only where the particulars were known to the informant.
In cases where paterntity is constested, there is a specific procedure in the law. The law requires a joint action by the father and mother of the child appearing physically before the registration officer, or the production of DNA test results or a court order establishing paternity before the father can be entered in the register of births.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority. However, neither the Act nor the regulations specifies what evidence may be required for this purpose.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law is silent on what evidence is required to notify births occurring inside Uganda to Ugandan citizen parents. Where a parent of a child born inside Uganda is a non-citizen, the register of births must contain the details of that parent’s passport or other travel document – suggesting that the passport or travel document may be required upon notification. Where a parent of a child is a recognized refugee, the register of births must contain the details of the refugee – suggesting that the documentation of refugee status may be required upon notification.
NIRA Guidance issued in 2022 directs all persons to provide a Birth Notification Record issued by the medical facility, sub-county, town council or division where the birth occurred, proof of payment of any applicable birth certificate fees and unspecified other information as may be required. Ugandan nationals are directed to provide a photocopy of the national ID of at least one of the parents, while foreigners are directed to provide a photocopy of the passport of at least one of the parents

Uganda Legal Analysis

The regulations make provision for a prescribed fee to be imposed where birth notification does not take place immediately, but no such fee appears to have been enacted.
Failure to comply with the duty to register a birth within the prescribed period (30 days in the Regulations) is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months. The maximum fine is six currency points. (Currency points can be amended by the Minister responsible for finance with the approval of Cabinet. As of December 2023, one currency point was valued at 20 000 shillings, making six currency points equivalent to 120 000 shillings.)
There is a sliding scale of fees for the issue of a birth certificate that is tied to the time of birth registration. A birth certificate for citizens is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months, increases to 10,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 months and 6 years of age, increases again to 20,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 years and 18 years of age, and is highest at 50,000 shillings for persons above age 18. There are different fees for foreigners, but no fee is charged at any stage for the birth certificate of a child born to a refugee.

Uganda Legal Analysis

There are no fees for on-time birth registration, and a birth certificate is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The Act imposes a duty to report births immediately after they occur (on in the case of a foundling, immediately after the child is found). Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided, and only after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority.
According to the regulations, if a birth occurs in any place other than a medical facility (including a birth in a prison, orphanage, barracks or quarantine station) – or where a person finds a child whose parents are unknown - the birth must be notified within 30 days. This appears to contradict the Act’s requirement for immediate notification of births and discovery of foundlings.
The regulations also state that, after the prescribed period for the registration of a birth has expired (prescribed period in the regulations is 30 days for on-time birth registration), there is a one-month grace period during which the birth may still be registered.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law does not address place of registration for births occurring on ships, airplanes, trains or any other moving vehicles.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births must be notified in the registration area where the birth occurs.

Uganda Legal Analysis

 The Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority may give written authorization to staff members to correct any errors in the birth register or in a birth certificate, without charge. This provision appears to be aimed at clerical errors and omissions.
The law on birth registration sets out four situations where amendment is allowed in respect of children’s birth records, which include contested paternity situations, amendments to name of the child, amendments to sex markers, and particulars in the case of adoptions. In the case of contested paternity, there is provision for adding the particulars of a father via a joint request by both parents, a DNA test result or a court order establishing paternity. No fee is mentioned for the addition of the father to the register of births. However, a person contesting parentage is responsible for the costs of the DNA test. There is also a fee for applications for proof of parentage, although it can be excused for persons who cannot afford to pay.
In the case of amending name of child, the parents or guardian of a child under age 18 may apply to change the name of the child. There is no fee for such a name change for Ugandan citizens if the child is under 6 years of age, but non-citizens must pay a fee regardless of the child’s age.
There are more general (and in some respects contradictory) provisions on errors and changes of particulars in the National Identification Register, which encompasses the register of births. The person affected by an error must notify the Authority within 90 days of becoming aware of it. The Authority must rectify the register accordingly if satisfied that an error occurred. Fees may be charged only where the error was the fault of the person to whom the information relates. Where there is a change of particulars, the person affected is required to notify the Authority within 90 days of the change and to provide supporting documents including a deed poll. Fees may be charged only if the change requires the issue of a new identification card (change of name, date of birth, place of birth or sex) – noting that ID cards are issued only to person who have reached age 16.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The minimum information required goes beyond UN Guidance, including the child’s birth weight and whether the child has any disability, as well as the nationality, residential and postal address, marital status, level of education and profession or occupation of both parents. The Act, the regulations and the form for notification of birth are not in complete agreement about the particulars required, and the discrepancies could lead to confusion for persons notifying births, as well as for registrars.
The law provides no discretion to register births when the information is incomplete; in fact, the Act states that the registration officer must ensure that a person notifying a birth has provided the listed particulars before entering any information in the register. Refusal to state any of the required particulars is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months – but this would apply only where the particulars were known to the informant.
In cases where paterntity is constested, there is a specific procedure in the law. The law requires a joint action by the father and mother of the child appearing physically before the registration officer, or the production of DNA test results or a court order establishing paternity before the father can be entered in the register of births.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority. However, neither the Act nor the regulations specifies what evidence may be required for this purpose.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law is silent on what evidence is required to notify births occurring inside Uganda to Ugandan citizen parents. Where a parent of a child born inside Uganda is a non-citizen, the register of births must contain the details of that parent’s passport or other travel document – suggesting that the passport or travel document may be required upon notification. Where a parent of a child is a recognized refugee, the register of births must contain the details of the refugee – suggesting that the documentation of refugee status may be required upon notification.
NIRA Guidance issued in 2022 directs all persons to provide a Birth Notification Record issued by the medical facility, sub-county, town council or division where the birth occurred, proof of payment of any applicable birth certificate fees and unspecified other information as may be required. Ugandan nationals are directed to provide a photocopy of the national ID of at least one of the parents, while foreigners are directed to provide a photocopy of the passport of at least one of the parents

Uganda Legal Analysis

The regulations make provision for a prescribed fee to be imposed where birth notification does not take place immediately, but no such fee appears to have been enacted.
Failure to comply with the duty to register a birth within the prescribed period (30 days in the Regulations) is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months. The maximum fine is six currency points. (Currency points can be amended by the Minister responsible for finance with the approval of Cabinet. As of December 2023, one currency point was valued at 20 000 shillings, making six currency points equivalent to 120 000 shillings.)
There is a sliding scale of fees for the issue of a birth certificate that is tied to the time of birth registration. A birth certificate for citizens is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months, increases to 10,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 months and 6 years of age, increases again to 20,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 years and 18 years of age, and is highest at 50,000 shillings for persons above age 18. There are different fees for foreigners, but no fee is charged at any stage for the birth certificate of a child born to a refugee.

Uganda Legal Analysis

There are no fees for on-time birth registration, and a birth certificate is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The Act imposes a duty to report births immediately after they occur (on in the case of a foundling, immediately after the child is found). Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided, and only after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority.
According to the regulations, if a birth occurs in any place other than a medical facility (including a birth in a prison, orphanage, barracks or quarantine station) – or where a person finds a child whose parents are unknown - the birth must be notified within 30 days. This appears to contradict the Act’s requirement for immediate notification of births and discovery of foundlings.
The regulations also state that, after the prescribed period for the registration of a birth has expired (prescribed period in the regulations is 30 days for on-time birth registration), there is a one-month grace period during which the birth may still be registered.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law does not address place of registration for births occurring on ships, airplanes, trains or any other moving vehicles.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births must be notified in the registration area where the birth occurs.

Uganda Legal Analysis

 The Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority may give written authorization to staff members to correct any errors in the birth register or in a birth certificate, without charge. This provision appears to be aimed at clerical errors and omissions.
The law on birth registration sets out four situations where amendment is allowed in respect of children’s birth records, which include contested paternity situations, amendments to name of the child, amendments to sex markers, and particulars in the case of adoptions. In the case of contested paternity, there is provision for adding the particulars of a father via a joint request by both parents, a DNA test result or a court order establishing paternity. No fee is mentioned for the addition of the father to the register of births. However, a person contesting parentage is responsible for the costs of the DNA test. There is also a fee for applications for proof of parentage, although it can be excused for persons who cannot afford to pay.
In the case of amending name of child, the parents or guardian of a child under age 18 may apply to change the name of the child. There is no fee for such a name change for Ugandan citizens if the child is under 6 years of age, but non-citizens must pay a fee regardless of the child’s age.
There are more general (and in some respects contradictory) provisions on errors and changes of particulars in the National Identification Register, which encompasses the register of births. The person affected by an error must notify the Authority within 90 days of becoming aware of it. The Authority must rectify the register accordingly if satisfied that an error occurred. Fees may be charged only where the error was the fault of the person to whom the information relates. Where there is a change of particulars, the person affected is required to notify the Authority within 90 days of the change and to provide supporting documents including a deed poll. Fees may be charged only if the change requires the issue of a new identification card (change of name, date of birth, place of birth or sex) – noting that ID cards are issued only to person who have reached age 16.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The minimum information required goes beyond UN Guidance, including the child’s birth weight and whether the child has any disability, as well as the nationality, residential and postal address, marital status, level of education and profession or occupation of both parents. The Act, the regulations and the form for notification of birth are not in complete agreement about the particulars required, and the discrepancies could lead to confusion for persons notifying births, as well as for registrars.
The law provides no discretion to register births when the information is incomplete; in fact, the Act states that the registration officer must ensure that a person notifying a birth has provided the listed particulars before entering any information in the register. Refusal to state any of the required particulars is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months – but this would apply only where the particulars were known to the informant.
In cases where paterntity is constested, there is a specific procedure in the law. The law requires a joint action by the father and mother of the child appearing physically before the registration officer, or the production of DNA test results or a court order establishing paternity before the father can be entered in the register of births.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority. However, neither the Act nor the regulations specifies what evidence may be required for this purpose.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law is silent on what evidence is required to notify births occurring inside Uganda to Ugandan citizen parents. Where a parent of a child born inside Uganda is a non-citizen, the register of births must contain the details of that parent’s passport or other travel document – suggesting that the passport or travel document may be required upon notification. Where a parent of a child is a recognized refugee, the register of births must contain the details of the refugee – suggesting that the documentation of refugee status may be required upon notification.
NIRA Guidance issued in 2022 directs all persons to provide a Birth Notification Record issued by the medical facility, sub-county, town council or division where the birth occurred, proof of payment of any applicable birth certificate fees and unspecified other information as may be required. Ugandan nationals are directed to provide a photocopy of the national ID of at least one of the parents, while foreigners are directed to provide a photocopy of the passport of at least one of the parents

Uganda Legal Analysis

The regulations make provision for a prescribed fee to be imposed where birth notification does not take place immediately, but no such fee appears to have been enacted.
Failure to comply with the duty to register a birth within the prescribed period (30 days in the Regulations) is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months. The maximum fine is six currency points. (Currency points can be amended by the Minister responsible for finance with the approval of Cabinet. As of December 2023, one currency point was valued at 20 000 shillings, making six currency points equivalent to 120 000 shillings.)
There is a sliding scale of fees for the issue of a birth certificate that is tied to the time of birth registration. A birth certificate for citizens is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months, increases to 10,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 months and 6 years of age, increases again to 20,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 years and 18 years of age, and is highest at 50,000 shillings for persons above age 18. There are different fees for foreigners, but no fee is charged at any stage for the birth certificate of a child born to a refugee.

Uganda Legal Analysis

There are no fees for on-time birth registration, and a birth certificate is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The Act imposes a duty to report births immediately after they occur (on in the case of a foundling, immediately after the child is found). Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided, and only after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority.
According to the regulations, if a birth occurs in any place other than a medical facility (including a birth in a prison, orphanage, barracks or quarantine station) – or where a person finds a child whose parents are unknown - the birth must be notified within 30 days. This appears to contradict the Act’s requirement for immediate notification of births and discovery of foundlings.
The regulations also state that, after the prescribed period for the registration of a birth has expired (prescribed period in the regulations is 30 days for on-time birth registration), there is a one-month grace period during which the birth may still be registered.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law does not address place of registration for births occurring on ships, airplanes, trains or any other moving vehicles.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births must be notified in the registration area where the birth occurs.

Uganda Legal Analysis

 The Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority may give written authorization to staff members to correct any errors in the birth register or in a birth certificate, without charge. This provision appears to be aimed at clerical errors and omissions.
The law on birth registration sets out four situations where amendment is allowed in respect of children’s birth records, which include contested paternity situations, amendments to name of the child, amendments to sex markers, and particulars in the case of adoptions. In the case of contested paternity, there is provision for adding the particulars of a father via a joint request by both parents, a DNA test result or a court order establishing paternity. No fee is mentioned for the addition of the father to the register of births. However, a person contesting parentage is responsible for the costs of the DNA test. There is also a fee for applications for proof of parentage, although it can be excused for persons who cannot afford to pay.
In the case of amending name of child, the parents or guardian of a child under age 18 may apply to change the name of the child. There is no fee for such a name change for Ugandan citizens if the child is under 6 years of age, but non-citizens must pay a fee regardless of the child’s age.
There are more general (and in some respects contradictory) provisions on errors and changes of particulars in the National Identification Register, which encompasses the register of births. The person affected by an error must notify the Authority within 90 days of becoming aware of it. The Authority must rectify the register accordingly if satisfied that an error occurred. Fees may be charged only where the error was the fault of the person to whom the information relates. Where there is a change of particulars, the person affected is required to notify the Authority within 90 days of the change and to provide supporting documents including a deed poll. Fees may be charged only if the change requires the issue of a new identification card (change of name, date of birth, place of birth or sex) – noting that ID cards are issued only to person who have reached age 16.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The minimum information required goes beyond UN Guidance, including the child’s birth weight and whether the child has any disability, as well as the nationality, residential and postal address, marital status, level of education and profession or occupation of both parents. The Act, the regulations and the form for notification of birth are not in complete agreement about the particulars required, and the discrepancies could lead to confusion for persons notifying births, as well as for registrars.
The law provides no discretion to register births when the information is incomplete; in fact, the Act states that the registration officer must ensure that a person notifying a birth has provided the listed particulars before entering any information in the register. Refusal to state any of the required particulars is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months – but this would apply only where the particulars were known to the informant.
In cases where paterntity is constested, there is a specific procedure in the law. The law requires a joint action by the father and mother of the child appearing physically before the registration officer, or the production of DNA test results or a court order establishing paternity before the father can be entered in the register of births.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority. However, neither the Act nor the regulations specifies what evidence may be required for this purpose.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law is silent on what evidence is required to notify births occurring inside Uganda to Ugandan citizen parents. Where a parent of a child born inside Uganda is a non-citizen, the register of births must contain the details of that parent’s passport or other travel document – suggesting that the passport or travel document may be required upon notification. Where a parent of a child is a recognized refugee, the register of births must contain the details of the refugee – suggesting that the documentation of refugee status may be required upon notification.
NIRA Guidance issued in 2022 directs all persons to provide a Birth Notification Record issued by the medical facility, sub-county, town council or division where the birth occurred, proof of payment of any applicable birth certificate fees and unspecified other information as may be required. Ugandan nationals are directed to provide a photocopy of the national ID of at least one of the parents, while foreigners are directed to provide a photocopy of the passport of at least one of the parents

Uganda Legal Analysis

The regulations make provision for a prescribed fee to be imposed where birth notification does not take place immediately, but no such fee appears to have been enacted.
Failure to comply with the duty to register a birth within the prescribed period (30 days in the Regulations) is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months. The maximum fine is six currency points. (Currency points can be amended by the Minister responsible for finance with the approval of Cabinet. As of December 2023, one currency point was valued at 20 000 shillings, making six currency points equivalent to 120 000 shillings.)
There is a sliding scale of fees for the issue of a birth certificate that is tied to the time of birth registration. A birth certificate for citizens is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months, increases to 10,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 months and 6 years of age, increases again to 20,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 years and 18 years of age, and is highest at 50,000 shillings for persons above age 18. There are different fees for foreigners, but no fee is charged at any stage for the birth certificate of a child born to a refugee.

Uganda Legal Analysis

There are no fees for on-time birth registration, and a birth certificate is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The Act imposes a duty to report births immediately after they occur (on in the case of a foundling, immediately after the child is found). Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided, and only after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority.
According to the regulations, if a birth occurs in any place other than a medical facility (including a birth in a prison, orphanage, barracks or quarantine station) – or where a person finds a child whose parents are unknown - the birth must be notified within 30 days. This appears to contradict the Act’s requirement for immediate notification of births and discovery of foundlings.
The regulations also state that, after the prescribed period for the registration of a birth has expired (prescribed period in the regulations is 30 days for on-time birth registration), there is a one-month grace period during which the birth may still be registered.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law does not address place of registration for births occurring on ships, airplanes, trains or any other moving vehicles.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births must be notified in the registration area where the birth occurs.

Uganda Legal Analysis

 The Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority may give written authorization to staff members to correct any errors in the birth register or in a birth certificate, without charge. This provision appears to be aimed at clerical errors and omissions.
The law on birth registration sets out four situations where amendment is allowed in respect of children’s birth records, which include contested paternity situations, amendments to name of the child, amendments to sex markers, and particulars in the case of adoptions. In the case of contested paternity, there is provision for adding the particulars of a father via a joint request by both parents, a DNA test result or a court order establishing paternity. No fee is mentioned for the addition of the father to the register of births. However, a person contesting parentage is responsible for the costs of the DNA test. There is also a fee for applications for proof of parentage, although it can be excused for persons who cannot afford to pay.
In the case of amending name of child, the parents or guardian of a child under age 18 may apply to change the name of the child. There is no fee for such a name change for Ugandan citizens if the child is under 6 years of age, but non-citizens must pay a fee regardless of the child’s age.
There are more general (and in some respects contradictory) provisions on errors and changes of particulars in the National Identification Register, which encompasses the register of births. The person affected by an error must notify the Authority within 90 days of becoming aware of it. The Authority must rectify the register accordingly if satisfied that an error occurred. Fees may be charged only where the error was the fault of the person to whom the information relates. Where there is a change of particulars, the person affected is required to notify the Authority within 90 days of the change and to provide supporting documents including a deed poll. Fees may be charged only if the change requires the issue of a new identification card (change of name, date of birth, place of birth or sex) – noting that ID cards are issued only to person who have reached age 16.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The minimum information required goes beyond UN Guidance, including the child’s birth weight and whether the child has any disability, as well as the nationality, residential and postal address, marital status, level of education and profession or occupation of both parents. The Act, the regulations and the form for notification of birth are not in complete agreement about the particulars required, and the discrepancies could lead to confusion for persons notifying births, as well as for registrars.
The law provides no discretion to register births when the information is incomplete; in fact, the Act states that the registration officer must ensure that a person notifying a birth has provided the listed particulars before entering any information in the register. Refusal to state any of the required particulars is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months – but this would apply only where the particulars were known to the informant.
In cases where paterntity is constested, there is a specific procedure in the law. The law requires a joint action by the father and mother of the child appearing physically before the registration officer, or the production of DNA test results or a court order establishing paternity before the father can be entered in the register of births.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority. However, neither the Act nor the regulations specifies what evidence may be required for this purpose.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law is silent on what evidence is required to notify births occurring inside Uganda to Ugandan citizen parents. Where a parent of a child born inside Uganda is a non-citizen, the register of births must contain the details of that parent’s passport or other travel document – suggesting that the passport or travel document may be required upon notification. Where a parent of a child is a recognized refugee, the register of births must contain the details of the refugee – suggesting that the documentation of refugee status may be required upon notification.
NIRA Guidance issued in 2022 directs all persons to provide a Birth Notification Record issued by the medical facility, sub-county, town council or division where the birth occurred, proof of payment of any applicable birth certificate fees and unspecified other information as may be required. Ugandan nationals are directed to provide a photocopy of the national ID of at least one of the parents, while foreigners are directed to provide a photocopy of the passport of at least one of the parents

Uganda Legal Analysis

The regulations make provision for a prescribed fee to be imposed where birth notification does not take place immediately, but no such fee appears to have been enacted.
Failure to comply with the duty to register a birth within the prescribed period (30 days in the Regulations) is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to three months. The maximum fine is six currency points. (Currency points can be amended by the Minister responsible for finance with the approval of Cabinet. As of December 2023, one currency point was valued at 20 000 shillings, making six currency points equivalent to 120 000 shillings.)
There is a sliding scale of fees for the issue of a birth certificate that is tied to the time of birth registration. A birth certificate for citizens is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months, increases to 10,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 months and 6 years of age, increases again to 20,000 shillings where the child is registered between 7 years and 18 years of age, and is highest at 50,000 shillings for persons above age 18. There are different fees for foreigners, but no fee is charged at any stage for the birth certificate of a child born to a refugee.

Uganda Legal Analysis

There are no fees for on-time birth registration, and a birth certificate is free for a child registered up to the age of 6 months.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The Act imposes a duty to report births immediately after they occur (on in the case of a foundling, immediately after the child is found). Births that are not notified immediately will be registered only if the registrar is satisfied about the truth of the particulars provided, and only after approval by the Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority.
According to the regulations, if a birth occurs in any place other than a medical facility (including a birth in a prison, orphanage, barracks or quarantine station) – or where a person finds a child whose parents are unknown - the birth must be notified within 30 days. This appears to contradict the Act’s requirement for immediate notification of births and discovery of foundlings.
The regulations also state that, after the prescribed period for the registration of a birth has expired (prescribed period in the regulations is 30 days for on-time birth registration), there is a one-month grace period during which the birth may still be registered.

Uganda Legal Analysis

The law does not address place of registration for births occurring on ships, airplanes, trains or any other moving vehicles.

Uganda Legal Analysis

Births must be notified in the registration area where the birth occurs.