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Uganda Act or statute

Parliament of Uganda

Firearms Act

This section is an interpretation (definitions) clause listing defined terms used in the Act (for example “acquiring”, “ammunition”, “firearm”, “firearm dealer”, “chief licensing officer”, “licensing officer”, and…

Jurisdiction
Uganda
Structure
45 provisions
Citation
Chapter 299
Dates
As at 4 Aug 2006
More statute details
Dates
As at 4 Aug 2006

Source attribution: Source: Uganda Legal Information Institute

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01

Purpose and legislative effect

“This section is an interpretation (definitions) clause listing defined terms used in the Act (for example “acquiring”, “ammunition”, “firearm”, “firearm dealer”, “chief licensing officer”, “licensing officer”, and others).”

This section is an interpretation (definitions) clause listing defined terms used in the Act (for example “acquiring”, “ammunition”, “firearm”, “firearm dealer”, “chief licensing officer”, “licensing officer”, and others). The Minister must appoint a chief licensing officer and a deputy; police commanders of districts are licensing officers; chief, deputy and licensing officers are subject to the Minister's directions; the deputy may perform the chief's functions under the chief's directions. Police or customs officers may demand that a firearm-certificate holder produce the firearm and ammunition for inspection; failure to comply is an offence punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both. Prohibits any person from manufacturing or assembling any firearm or ammunition. No person may sell, transfer, expose for sale or have a firearm or ammunition for sale, transfer, repair, test or proof unless registered as a firearms dealer; repairs/tests/proofs require registration as a gunsmith; holders of firearm certificates may sell/repair/test/prove firearms covered by their certificate.

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Preliminary - Interpretation

This section is an interpretation (definitions) clause listing defined terms used in the Act (for example “acquiring”, “ammunition”, “firearm”, “firearm dealer”, “chief licensing officer”, “licensing officer”, and others).

Section 1

General - Power of search and seizure

A police officer who has reasonable cause to suspect a contravention of the Act may enter and search premises and persons and may seize and detain persons or weapons found there.

Section 34

General - Savings

The provisions of this Act are in addition to, and do not derogate from, any other law then in force relating to the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, acquisition, possession, use, storage, carriage, transportation, importation or exportation of firearms,…

Section 44

04

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Source record from ulii.org · As at 4 Aug 2006

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Showing 45 of 45 provisions

Provision 19Substitution 13Offence 6Amendment 6

Part I

Preliminary

§ 1Preliminary - InterpretationInterpretation

This section is an interpretation (definitions) clause listing defined terms used in the Act (for example “acquiring”, “ammunition”, “firearm”, “firearm dealer”, “chief licensing officer”, “licensing officer”, and others).

Section Interpretation Section In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “ acquiring ” means hiring, accepting as a gift and borrowing, and the expression “acquire” and “acquisition” shall be construed accordingly; “ ammunition ” includes grenades, bombs and other like missiles and cartridges blank, tracer, explosive, incendiary, observing or signalling cartridges and any ammunition containing or designed or adapted to contain shot, bullet or any noxious liquid, gas or other thing whether capable of use with a firearm or not; “ ammunition of war ” means ammunition for use with arms of war ; “ approved carrier ” means a carrier approved by the chief licensing officer ; “ approved servant ” means an employee approved by the chief licensing officer ; “ approved warehouseman ” means a warehouseman approved by the chief licensing officer ; “ arms of war ” means artillery of all kinds, apparatus for the discharge of explosive or gas diffusing projectiles, flame throwers, bombs, grenades, machine guns and rifled small-bore, breech-loading weapons, whether all or any of those arms of war are assembled or in parts, but does not include sporting rifles, or personal or other weapons or apparatus not intended for warlike purpose; “ cadet unit ” means a cadet unit established under any enactment for the time being in force; “ chief licensing officer ” means a person appointed under section 2 to be chief licensing officer; “ currency point ” has the value assigned to it in the Schedule to this Act; [definition of "currency point" inserted by section 2 of Act 23 of 2006 ] “ customs officer ” has the same meaning as “officer” as defined in the East African Customs and Transfer Tax Management Act; “ firearm ” means any barrelled weapon (other than an imitation firearm) from which any shot, bullet or other missile capable of causing injury can be discharged, adapted for the discharge of any such shot, bullet or other missile, and any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or other thing dangerous to human beings, and includes any component part of any such weapon as aforesaid and any accessory to any such weapon designed or adapted to eliminate or diminish the noise or flash caused by firing any such weapon, but does not include any antique firearm which has been rendered incapable of use as a firearm; “ firearm dealer ” means a person who, by way of trade or business, is registered to buy, sell or transfer firearms or ammunition ; “ functions ” includes powers and duties; “ gunsmith ” means a person who, by way of profession and qualification, is registered under this Act to repair, test and prove firearms and ammunition ; “ licensing officer ” means a person appointed under section 2 to be a licensing officer; “ police force ” means the Uganda Police Force provided for under article 211(1) of the Constitution; “ police officer ” has the same meaning as in the Police Act; “ prescribed ” means prescribed by regulations; “ prison service ” has the same meaning as in the Prisons Act; “ purchase ” and “sale” include exchange, barter, expose for exchange, barter or sale, and any derivative expression shall be construed accordingly; “ slaughtering instrument ” means a firearm which is specially designed or adapted for the instantaneous slaughter of animals or for the instantaneous stubbing of animals with a view to slaughtering them; “ transferring ” includes letting on hire, giving, lending and parting with possession, and the expressions “transfer”, “transferee” and “transferor” shall be construed accordingly.
Section 1Verify source
§ 2Preliminary - Appointment of chief licensing officer and other licensing officersProvision

The Minister must appoint a chief licensing officer and a deputy; police commanders of districts are licensing officers; chief, deputy and licensing officers are subject to the Minister's directions; the deputy may perform the chief's functions under the chief's directions.

Section Appointment of chief licensing officer and other licensing officers Section The Minister shall, by statutory order, appoint a senior police officer to be the chief licensing officer who shall perform such functions and exercise such powers as are conferred on him or her by this Act. The Minister shall appoint, in writing from among police officers, a deputy chief licensing officer who shall be under the direction of the chief licensing officer . For the purposes of this Act, every police commander of a district shall be a licensing officer for that district. The chief licensing officer , the deputy chief licensing officer and all licensing officers appointed under this Act shall, in the performance of their functions under this Act, be subject to the directions of the Minister. The functions of the chief licensing officer under this Act may be performed or exercised, subject to the directions of the chief licensing officer , by the deputy chief licensing officer .
Section 2Verify source

Part II

Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions

§ 10Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Production of firearm and ammunitionSubstitution

Police or customs officers may demand that a firearm-certificate holder produce the firearm and ammunition for inspection; failure to comply is an offence punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both.

Section Production of firearm and ammunition Section Any police officer or customs officer may demand, from any person who holds a firearm certificate, the production of the firearm and ammunition to which the certificate relates, at such time and place as the officer may specify, for inspection by himself or herself or such other officer as he or she may specify. Any person who fails to comply with a demand made under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both. [subsection (2) substituted by section 6 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 10Verify source
§ 11Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Prohibition of manufacture of firearms or ammunitionOffence

Prohibits any person from manufacturing or assembling any firearm or ammunition.

Section Prohibition of manufacture of firearms or ammunition Section Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the assembly— No person shall manufacture or assemble any firearm or ammunition . by a firearms dealer or gunsmith of any firearm ; or by any person holding a firearm certificate of the firearm to which the certificate relates and which is so constructed by the manufacturer of the firearm as to be capable of being stripped and reassembled. Any person who contravenes of subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.
Section 11Verify source
§ 12Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Prohibition on dealing in firearms without being registeredSubstitution

No person may sell, transfer, expose for sale or have a firearm or ammunition for sale, transfer, repair, test or proof unless registered as a firearms dealer; repairs/tests/proofs require registration as a gunsmith; holders of firearm certificates may sell/repair/test/prove firearms covered by their certificate.

Section Prohibition on dealing in firearms without being registered Section Subject to this section, no person— shall sell or transfer or expose for sale or transfer or have in his or her possession for sale, transfer, repair, test or prove any firearm or ammunition unless he or she is registered under this Act as a firearms dealer; or shall repair, test or prove any firearm or ammunition unless he or she is registered under this Act as a gunsmith . Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the sale, repair, test or proof by any person of any firearm or ammunition in respect of which he or she is the holder of a firearm certificate issued under this Act. Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of subsection (1) commits an offence and on conviction, is liable to imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding three hundred currency points or both. [subsection (3) substituted by section 7 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 12Verify source
§ 13Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Registration of firearms dealers and gunsmithsAmendment

The chief licensing officer may refuse registration of firearms dealers or gunsmiths and must keep a register; certain applicants must be refused, and false statements to procure registration are an offence punishable by up to five years' imprisonment or a fine up to one hundred twenty currency points.

Section Registration of firearms dealers and gunsmiths Section The chief licensing officer may in his or her discretion refuse to register the name of any applicant for registration as a firearms dealer or gunsmith without assigning any reason for the refusal and in any case shall refuse to register the name of any such applicant— The chief licensing officer shall continue or cause to be continued in the prescribed form a register of firearms dealers and gunsmiths and shall, subject as hereafter provided, enter or cause to be entered in the register the name of any person who applies to be registered as a firearms dealer or gunsmith and furnishes the particulars prescribed by section 14 . who is prohibited from being registered by an order of a court made under section 19 ; in respect of whom the chief licensing officer is satisfied that, having regard to the public safety or to the peace, the applicant is not a fit and proper person so to be registered; whom the chief licensing officer is satisfied is not sufficiently qualified or competent to carry on the business of a dealer or gunsmith . There shall be payable in respect of each application for registration as a firearms dealer or gunsmith such fees as may be prescribed . Any person who, for the purpose of procuring the registration of himself or herself or of any other person as a firearms dealer or gunsmith , makes any statement which he or she knows to be false, or does not believe to be true, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding one hundred twenty currency points or both. [subsection (4) amended by section 8 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 13Verify source
§ 14Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Registration of business of firearms dealers and gunsmithsProvision

Applicants to be registered as firearms dealers or gunsmiths must state particulars of every place of business; registered dealers/gunsmiths must notify the chief licensing officer of any unregistered place and furnish particulars; the chief licensing officer must enter places in the register and may refuse or remove entries if satisfied of danger to public safety or peace; making false statements to procure entry is prohibited.

Section Registration of business of firearms dealers and gunsmiths Section Any person who— Any person who applies to be registered as a firearms dealer or gunsmith under section 13 shall state the particulars of every place of business within the area at which he or she proposes to carry on business as a firearms dealer or gunsmith, and the chief licensing officer shall cause to be entered in the register every such place of business. Every person registered as a firearms dealer or gunsmith in any area, who proposes to carry on business as such at any place of business in that area which is not entered in the register, shall notify the chief licensing officer and shall furnish the chief licensing officer with such particulars as may be prescribed , and the chief licensing officer shall cause to be entered that place of business in the register. If the chief licensing officer is satisfied that any place of business notified to him or her by any person under subsection (1) or any place entered as the place of business of any person in the register of firearms dealers and gunsmiths is a place at which that person cannot be permitted to carry on business as a firearms dealer or gunsmith without danger to the public safety or to the peace, he or she may refuse the entry of that place of business in the register or cause it to be removed from the register, as the case may be. carries on a business as a firearms dealer or gunsmith at any place which is not entered in the register; or for the purpose of procuring, whether for himself or herself or any other person, the entry of any place of business in the register of firearms dealers or gunsmiths, makes any statement which he or she knows to be false or does not believe to be true,
Section 14Verify source
§ 15Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Issue of certificate of registration to firearms dealer or gunsmithProvision

The chief licensing officer must issue certificates of registration to registered firearms dealers and gunsmiths on payment of prescribed fees; dealers and gunsmiths must display their certificate, surrender and reapply when required and pay prescribed fees; the chief licensing officer may remove a name from the register after notice and failure to comply within 21 days (or further allowed time).

Section Issue of certificate of registration to firearms dealer or gunsmith Section Within seven days from the 1st day of January in each year, every person registered as a firearms dealer— The chief licensing officer shall, upon payment of the prescribed fees, issue or cause to be issued to each person, registered as a firearms dealer or gunsmith under section 13 , a certificate of registration in the prescribed form. Every firearms dealer or gunsmith shall cause to be exhibited, in a prominent position in his or her principal place of business, the certificate of registration issued under subsection (1). A certificate of registration shall remain in force, unless the name of the firearms dealer or gunsmith to whom it is issued is removed from the register, until the 31st day of December in the year in which it is issued. shall surrender to the chief licensing officer his or her certificate of registration; and shall apply in the prescribed form for the issue of a new certificate of registration; and shall pay such fees as may be prescribed , If any firearms dealer or gunsmith fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section, the chief licensing officer shall, by notice in writing, require him or her to comply with those provisions and if he or she fails so to do within twenty-one days of the date of the notice, or within such further time as the chief licensing officer may in special circumstances allow, shall cause his or her name to be removed from the register of firearms dealers and gunsmiths.
Section 15Verify source
§ 16Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Removal of name from register of firearms dealers and gunsmithsSubstitution

The chief licensing officer may remove a person's name from the register of firearms dealers and gunsmiths on specified grounds; dealers or gunsmiths served with a notice who fail to comply within 14 days commit an offence punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both; the chief licensing officer shall require surrender of the registration certificate on removal, but surrender requirement is suspended while an appeal under section 22 is pending unless abandoned or dismissed.

Section Removal of name from register of firearms dealers and gunsmiths Section In addition to any other powers in that behalf conferred by this Act, the chief licensing officer may cause to be removed from the register of firearms dealers and gunsmiths the name of any person who— Any firearms dealer or gunsmith served with a notice under subsection (2) who fails to comply with the notice within fourteen days of the date of the notice commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both; except that— has applied to be removed from the register; has ceased to carry on business as a firearms dealer or gunsmith ; has ceased to carry on business in the place in which he or she was registered; or has ceased, in the opinion of the chief licensing officer , to be a fit and proper person, having regard to the public safety or to the peace, to be registered as a firearms dealer or gunsmith . If, pursuant to any of the provisions of this Act, the chief licensing officer removes or causes to be removed the name of any firearms dealer or gunsmith from the register of firearms dealers or gunsmiths, he or she shall, by notice in writing, require the firearms dealer or gunsmith to surrender his or her certificate of registration. where an appeal is made under section 22 against the removal, this subsection shall not apply to that removal unless the appeal is abandoned or dismissed, and shall in that case have effect as if for the reference to the date of the notice there were substituted a reference to the date on which the appeal was abandoned or dismissed; until the firearms dealer or gunsmith surrenders his or her certificate of registration in accordance with this section, or, if he or she fails so to surrender his or her certificate, until the expiration of the fourteen days stipulated in this subsection, the firearms dealer or gunsmith shall be deemed to be registered as a firearms dealer or gunsmith for the purpose only of disposing of the stock in hand of his or her business.
Section 16Verify source
§ 17Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Register of transactions in firearms and ammunitionProvision

Firearms dealers and gunsmiths must provide and keep a register of all transactions in firearms and ammunition and enter prescribed particulars; entries must be made within twenty-four hours for each transaction; dealers must allow inspection by customs or police and must notify the chief licensing officer within seven days of a sale or transfer.

Section Register of transactions in firearms and ammunition Section Any person who— Every firearms dealer or gunsmith shall provide and keep at each of his or her places of business a register of all his or her transactions in firearms and ammunition , and shall enter or cause to be entered in the register such particulars as may be prescribed . In case a registered gunsmith is employed by a registered firearms dealer at the dealer’s place of business, the records referred to in subsection (1) shall be kept by the firearms dealer. Every entry shall be made within twenty-four hours after the transaction to which it relates took place, and in the case of a sale or transfer, the firearms dealer shall at the time of the transaction require the purchaser or transferee to furnish particulars sufficient for his or her identification, and shall immediately enter those particulars in the register. Every firearms dealer shall on demand allow any customs officer or police officer to enter and inspect all firearms and ammunition in hand, and shall on request by any such officer produce for inspection the register required to be kept under subsection (1). Every firearms dealer shall, within seven days beginning from the day of the sale or transfer of any firearm , notify the chief licensing officer of the sale or transfer. fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section; knowingly makes any false entry in a register required to be kept under this section; or knowingly furnishes any false particulars of identification of himself or herself or any other person,
Section 17Verify source
§ 18Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Storage of firearms and ammunition by dealers and gunsmithsSubstitution

Firearms dealers and gunsmiths must provide and maintain an enclosed, secure store at each business, keep firearms and ammunition inside it, have a single entry with two locks and give master keys to the licensing officer who keeps them in a safe; failure is an offence punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points.

Section Storage of firearms and ammunition by dealers and gunsmiths Section Every firearms dealer or gunsmith shall provide and maintain at each of his or her places of business a suitable enclosed store for the safe custody of firearms and ammunition in his or her possession and shall at all times keep all such firearms and ammunition securely within the store. Every store required to be provided and maintained under subsection (1) shall be secure to the satisfaction of the licensing officer of the area in which it is situated, and shall have only one means of entry to it which shall be provided with two different locks of which master keys shall be delivered to the licensing officer who shall keep them in a safe after properly labelling them. In case a registered gunsmith is employed by a registered firearms dealer at the dealer’s place of business, the requirements of this section shall apply only to the dealer. Any person who fails to comply with any of the provisions of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both. [subsection (4) substituted by section 12 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 18Verify source
§ 19Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Powers of court in case of offences by firearms dealers and gunsmithsOffence

When a firearms dealer or gunsmith is convicted of a relevant offence the court may make several orders including removing the dealer's name from the register, preventing registration of certain persons, removing persons employed in management from the register, directing disposal of stock by the Inspector General of Police after consultation with the Minister, and the aggrieved may appeal; the court may suspend the order pending appeal.

Section Powers of court in case of offences by firearms dealers and gunsmiths Section Where a firearms dealer or gunsmith is convicted of an offence against this Act, or against any law for the time being in force relating to customs in respect of the import or export of firearms or ammunition , the court may order— that the name of the firearms dealer or gunsmith be removed from the register; that neither the firearms dealer or gunsmith nor any person who acquires the business of that firearms dealer or gunsmith , nor any person who took part in the management of the business, and who was knowingly a party to the offence, shall be registered as a firearms dealer or gunsmith ; that any person who, after the date of the order, knowingly employs in the management or conduct of his or her business any such firearms dealer or gunsmith or any person who was knowingly a party to the offence shall not be registered as a firearms dealer or gunsmith or, if so registered, shall be liable to be removed from the register; and that any stock in hand of the business shall be disposed of as directed by the Inspector General of Police after consultation with the Minister. Any person aggrieved by an order made under this section may appeal against the order in the same manner as against the conviction or sentence passed in respect of the order, and the court may, if it thinks fit, suspend the operation of the order pending the appeal.
Section 19Verify source
§ 20Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Penalty for taking firearms or ammunition as a securitySubstitution

No person may take or accept any firearm or ammunition from another as security for a loan or for performance of an action; breaching this is an offence punishable on conviction by imprisonment up to ten years or a fine up to six hundred currency points or both.

Section Penalty for taking firearms or ammunition as a security Section No person shall take or accept any firearm or ammunition from any other person as a security for any money lent to that person or for any performance of an action done for that person. Any person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment not exceeding ten years or a fine not exceeding six hundred currency points or both. [subsection (2) substituted by section 13 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 20Verify source
§ 21Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Restrictions on other dealings in firearms and ammunitionProvision

Requires sellers (except registered firearms dealers) to obtain or verify a purchaser's firearm certificate before selling or transferring firearms or ammunition, to comply with instructions in the produced firearm certificate, to notify the chief licensing officer and (for firearms) within forty-eight hours take specified actions, and prohibits repair or testing for others unless a firearm certificate authorising possession is produced.

Section Restrictions on other dealings in firearms and ammunition Section Every person who sells or gives a firearm or ammunition to any other person not being a registered firearms dealer shall comply with any of the instructions contained in the firearm certificate produced and in the case of a firearm shall, within forty-eight hours from the transaction— Any person who— No person shall sell or transfer to any other person, other than a registered firearms dealer, any firearm or ammunition unless that other person produces a firearm certificate authorising him or her to purchase or acquire the firearms or ammunition or show that he or she is entitled, by virtue of this Act, to purchase or acquire the firearms or ammunition without holding a firearm certificate. send by registered post to the chief licensing officer notice of the transactions; if he or she is not a registered firearm dealer , surrender the firearm certificate held by him or her in respect of the firearm to the chief licensing officer . No person shall repair, test or prove any firearm or ammunition for any other person unless that other person produces or causes to be produced a firearm certificate authorising him or her to have possession of such a firearm or ammunition or shows that he or she is authorised by this Act to have possession of the firearm or ammunition without holding a firearm certificate. contravenes any of the foregoing provisions of this section; or for any of the purposes of the foregoing provisions of this section, produces a false firearm certificate, or a firearm certificate in which any false entry or alteration has been made or personates any person to whom a firearm has been issued, or makes any false statement,
Section 21Verify source
§ 22Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Appeals under Part IIProvision

Any person aggrieved must lodge an appeal under this section within fourteen days of first receiving notice of the decision.

Section Appeals under Part II Section Any person aggrieved by— the refusal of the chief licensing officer to issue to him or her a firearm certificate under section 4 ; the refusal by a licensing officer to vary or renew a firearm certificate issued to him or her; the suspension or revocation of a firearm certificate issued to him or her; the refusal of the chief licensing officer to register him or her as a firearms dealer or gunsmith ; the removal of his or her name from the register of firearms dealers and gunsmiths by the chief licensing officer other than a removal by order of a court; the refusal of the chief licensing officer to enter a place of business in the register of firearms dealers and gunsmiths under section 14 ; or the removal of any such place of business from the register of firearms dealers and gunsmiths, An appeal under this section shall be lodged within fourteen days after the date on which the appellant first received notice, whether written or oral, of the decision by which he or she is aggrieved. On an appeal under this section the Minister may either dismiss the appeal or give such directions as he or she may think fit to the licensing officer or the chief licensing officer , as the case may be, from whose decision the appeal has been lodged, in relation to the firearm certificate or register which is the subject of the appeal.
Section 22Verify source
§ 23Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Application of Part IIProvision

This Part applies to all firearms and to all ammunition, except ammunition for an airgun, air rifle or air pistol.

Section Application of Part II Section This Part of this Act applies to all firearms as defined in section 1 . This Part of this Act applies to all ammunition as defined in section 1 except ammunition for an airgun or air rifle or air pistol.
Section 23Verify source
§ 3Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Restrictions on purchasing, etc. of firearms or ammunitionSubstitution

No person may buy, acquire or possess any firearm or ammunition unless they hold a valid firearm certificate; purchase or acquisition of ammunition also requires a prescribed permit from a licensing officer; contravention of the permit requirement is an offence punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both.

Section Restrictions on purchasing, etc. of firearms or ammunition Section Any person who— Subject to this Act, no person shall purchase , acquire or have in his or her possession any firearm or ammunition unless, in respect of each such firearm , he or she holds a valid firearm certificate. purchases, acquires or has in his or her possession any firearm or ammunition without holding a valid firearm certificate, or otherwise than as authorised by such a certificate, or, in the case of ammunition , in quantities in excess of those so authorised; or fails to comply with any condition, subject to which a firearm certificate is held by him or her, Notwithstanding subsection (1), no person shall purchase or acquire any ammunition unless he or she is in possession of a permit in the prescribed form issued by a licensing officer . Any person who contravenes subsection (3), commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both. [subsection (4) substituted by section 3(b) of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 3Verify source
§ 4Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Issue of firearm certificatesAmendment

The chief licensing officer may refuse to issue a firearm certificate and shall refuse unless satisfied that the applicant meets specified fitness and qualification criteria; a certificate entitles the holder to possess the described firearm and ammunition and the officer must keep a register; licences for certain firearms must be obtained within three months or the certificate ceases to be valid.

Section Issue of firearm certificates Section The chief licensing officer may, in his or her discretion, refuse to issue a firearm certificate without assigning any reason for the refusal and in any case, he or she shall refuse to issue a firearm certificate unless he or she is satisfied that the person applying for the firearm certificate— A firearm certificate in respect of a weapon to be used for sporting purposes shall be subject to the holder obtaining— A firearm certificate issued under this section— shall specify— A firearm certificate shall entitle the holder to purchase , acquire, have in his or her possession or use the firearm and ammunition described in the certificate. The chief licensing officer shall keep or cause to be kept a register of firearm certificates and shall cause to be entered in it the name of every person to whom a firearm certificate has been issued. An application for the issue of a firearm certificate shall be made in the prescribed form to the chief licensing officer and shall contain the prescribed particulars. is not prohibited by any provision of this Act from purchasing, acquiring or having in his or her possession a firearm or ammunition ; has reasonable cause to purchase , acquire or have in his or her possession a firearm or ammunition ; is competent to use a firearm of the kind in respect of which the application is made; has attained the age of twenty-five years; is of sound mind and of temperate habits; will take all proper steps to ensure the safe custody of the firearm in respect of which the application is made and will install a minimum safety to the satisfaction of the police officer in charge of the area in which he or she resides; is in all other respects a fit and proper person to purchase , acquire or have in his or her possession a firearm . in the case of a shotgun or .22 rifle, a bird licence; and in the case of any other rifle or combined rifle/shotgun, a game licence. The licences referred to in subsection (5) shall be obtained within three months from the date of the issue of the firearm certificate and if no such licences are obtained within that period, the firearm certificate shall cease to have any validity. The chief licencing officer may in his or her discretion impose conditions subject to which a firearm certificate issued by him or her shall be held. shall be in the prescribed form; shall contain such conditions as may be prescribed ; such other conditions, if any, imposed under subsection (7), subject to which it is held; the nature, description and mark or number of identification of the firearm in respect of which it is issued; if it is in relation to ammunition , the quantity and type authorised to be purchased and to be held at any one time; shall, unless previously revoked or annulled, continue in force until the 31st day of December in the year in which it was issued; shall be renewable for a further period of one year by the licensing officer for the area in which the holder resides; and the provisions of this section shall apply to its renewal as they apply to its issue. The chief licensing officer may, at any time, by notice in writing, vary the conditions, other than the prescribed conditions, subject to which a firearm certificate is held and may by the notice require the holder to deliver up to him or her the firearm certificate, within such time as he or she may specify in the notice, for the purpose of amending the conditions specified in the certificate. Any person who, for the purpose of procuring, whether for himself or herself any other person, the issue of a firearm certificate or the renewal of a firearm certificate, makes any statement which he or she knows to be false or does not believe to be true, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both. [subsection (10) amended by section 4 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 4Verify source
§ 5Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Suspension or revocation of firearm certificateSubstitution

The chief licensing officer has the power to suspend or revoke a firearm certificate; the licensing officer may refuse to renew a firearm certificate after consulting the chief licensing officer. Appeals under section 22 can prevent subsection (2) applying until abandoned or dismissed.

Section Suspension or revocation of firearm certificate Section Where— The chief licensing officer may in his or her discretion suspend or revoke a firearm certificate without assigning any reason for the suspension or revocation. a firearm certificate is suspended or revoked under subsection (1); or the licensing officer , after consultation with the chief licensing officer , refuses to renew a firearm certificate, Where an appeal is made under section 22 against the suspension or revocation, subsection (2) of this section shall not apply unless the appeal is abandoned or dismissed, and, in either such case, it shall have effect as if for reference to the date of the notice there were substituted the date on which the appeal was abandoned or dismissed.
Section 5Verify source
§ 6Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Fees in respect of firearm certificatesProvision

Fees are payable on issue, renewal, variation or replacement of firearm certificates, but certain officers and units are exempt from paying those fees.

Section Fees in respect of firearm certificates Section Subject to this section, there shall be payable on the issue or renewal or variation of a firearm certificate, or where a firearm certificate has been lost or destroyed, its replacement, such fees as may be prescribed . No fee shall be payable on the issue of a firearm certificate to any responsible officer of a rifle club approved for the purpose by the Minister, or of a cadet unit , or for the issue of a firearm certificate in respect of any firearm or ammunition intended to be used solely for target practice or drill by the members of the club or unit, or on the variation or renewal of a firearm certificate so issued.
Section 6Verify source
§ 7Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Exemption from holding firearm certificatesProvision

Lists categories of persons and circumstances that are exempt from needing a firearm certificate to possess, carry, remove, deposit or use firearms, signalling apparatus or ammunition.

Section Exemption from holding firearm certificates Section The following provisions of this section shall have effect notwithstanding anything in section 3 — any person may, without holding a firearm certificate— a person carrying on the business of a firearms dealer or gunsmith , or an approved servant of such a person, may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his or her possession a firearm or ammunition in the ordinary course of that business; a person carrying on the business of an approved carrier or an approved warehouseman , or an approved servant of such a person, may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his or her possession a firearm or ammunition in the ordinary course of that business; a person may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his or her possession a slaughtering instrument and ammunition for it in any slaughterhouse established under the Public Health Act, if employed in the slaughterhouse; any person in charge of any slaughterhouse or a person appointed by him or her to take charge of slaughtering instruments and ammunition for the instruments for the purpose of storing them in safe custody at that slaughterhouse may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his or her possession a slaughtering instrument or its ammunition for that purpose; have in his or her possession a firearm or ammunition on board a ship, or a signalling apparatus or ammunition for it on board an aircraft or at an aerodrome, as part of the equipment of the ship, aircraft or aerodrome; remove a signalling apparatus or ammunition for it, being part of the equipment of an aircraft, from one aircraft to another at an aerodrome or airfield, or from or to an aircraft at an aerodrome or from a place appointed for the storage of the signalling apparatus or ammunition in safe custody at that aerodrome or airfield, and keep any such apparatus or ammunition at such a place; if he or she has obtained from a licensing officer a permit for the purpose in the prescribed form, remove a firearm from or to a ship, or signalling apparatus from or to an aircraft or aerodrome or airfield, to or from such place and for such purpose as may be specified in the permit; any person, without holding a firearm certificate, who is accompanied by another person holding a firearm certificate, may, if duly authorised by that other person so to do, carry, but not use a firearm or ammunition to which the firearm certificate relates; a member of a rifle club approved by the Minister, or of a cadet unit , may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his or her possession a firearm licensed in the name of the rifle club or cadet unit and ammunition for it when engaged as such a member in, or in connection with, drill or target practice; any person may, without holding a firearm certificate, use a miniature rifle not exceeding .22 and ammunition suitable for it, at a miniature rifle range or shooting gallery approved by the Inspector General of Police; any person may, without holding a firearm certificate, have a firearm in his or her possession at an athletic or other sporting meeting for the purpose of starting races at that meeting if the firearm is licensed in the name of any of the organisers of the meeting; but nothing in this subsection shall authorise the use in the firearm of any ammunition other than blank ammunition ; any person being the servant of a corporation to which a firearm certificate has been issued, and in respect of whom approval in writing of the chief licensing officer has been obtained may, without holding a firearm certificate, have in his or her possession the firearm and ammunition for the firearm to which the firearm certificate relates; any person, being the registered owner of a firearm , may deposit or cause to be deposited the firearm and any ammunition for it in a police station or other place appointed by the Inspector General of Police without holding a firearm certificate for the period of the deposit; and any person taking part in a theatrical performance or film production or the rehearsal of the performance or production may, without holding a firearm certificate, use a firearm or imitation firearm for the purpose of the performance or production or rehearsal of the performance, on such conditions as the chief licensing officer may impose.
Section 7Verify source
§ 8Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Refusal to issue or renew a firearm certificate unless firearm producedProvision

A licensing officer must not renew a firearm certificate unless the firearm is produced for inspection, marking, or testing.

Section Refusal to issue or renew a firearm certificate unless firearm produced Section Notwithstanding sections 1 to 7 , a licensing officer shall not renew a firearm certificate unless the firearm to which the firearm certificate relates is produced to him or her for his or her inspection or for marking, if necessary, in accordance with the requirements of subsection (2) or for testing. No firearm certificate shall be issued or, as the case may be, renewed, in respect of a firearm unless the firearm bears a mark or number of identification or is first marked with such a mark or number by, or under and in accordance with the directions of, the chief licensing officer . A licensing officer may, before renewing a firearm certificate, satisfy himself or herself that the firearm to which the firearm certificate will, if renewed, relate is in such a condition as to be safe to use. In case an import permit has been issued to an importer other than a licensed firearms dealer, the importer shall produce the firearm to the licensing officer of the place where he or she resides for inspection within fourteen days of the issue of the firearm certificate in respect of that firearm .
Section 8Verify source
§ 9Regulation of purchase, possession, manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition and of other transactions - Production of firearm certificateProvision

Police or customs officers may require anyone possessing a firearm or ammunition to produce their firearm certificate.

Section Production of firearm certificate Section Any police officer or customs officer may demand, from any person in possession of a firearm or ammunition , the production of his or her firearm certificate. If any person upon whom a demand is so made fails to produce the certificate, or to permit the officer to read the certificate, or to show that he or she is entitled by virtue of this Act to have the firearm or ammunition in his or her possession without holding a firearm certificate, the officer may seize and detain the firearm and ammunition .
Section 9Verify source

Part III

Miscellaneous provisions as to firearms and ammunition

§ 24Miscellaneous provisions as to firearms and ammunition - Application of Part IIIProvision

Persons using or carrying a firearm remain required to take out a licence to kill game.

Section Application of Part III Section Nothing in this Act shall relieve any person using or carrying a firearm from the obligation to take out a licence to kill game under any law for the time being in force.
Section 24Verify source
§ 25Miscellaneous provisions as to firearms and ammunition - Special provisions relating to certain types of weapons and ammunitionSubstitution

It is unlawful for any person (except government servants acting in their capacity or persons authorised in writing by the Minister) to sell, transfer, purchase, acquire or possess certain firearms, weapons or ammunition; authorisations must be in writing and the Minister may revoke them by written notice requiring surrender within fourteen days; contravention is an offence punishable by up to five years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding three hundred currency points or both.

Section Special provisions relating to certain types of weapons and ammunition Section It shall not be lawful for any person, other than a person in the service of the Government in his or her capacity as such, or a person authorised in that behalf by the Minister, to sell, transfer, purchase , acquire or have in his or her possession— Subsections (1) to (4) shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any other provisions of this Act or any other enactment relating to the sale, transfer, purchase , acquisition or possession of firearms or ammunition , but— Any person who fails to comply— any firearm which is so designed or adapted that, if pressure is applied to the trigger, missiles continue to be discharged until pressure is removed from the trigger or until the magazine containing the missiles is empty; any firearm possessing a mechanism which ejects the expended cartridge and reloads the firearm by manual action other than the pressing and releasing of the trigger; any weapon of whatever description designed or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or similar thing dangerous to human beings; any ammunition containing, or designed or adapted to contain, any such noxious thing; or any firearm or ammunition specified, or any firearm or ammunition of a class or type specified, by the Minister by statutory instrument. Any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding three hundred currency points or both. [subsection (2) substituted by section 15(a) of Act 23 of 2006 ] An authority given to any person under this section shall be in writing and shall be subject to such conditions as may be specified in the writing. The Minister may at any time revoke any authority given by him or her to any person under this section by notice in writing requiring that person to deliver up the authority and the firearm , weapon or ammunition in respect of which the authority was granted, to such police station as may be specified in the notice, within fourteen days from the date of the notice. the chief licensing officer shall not refuse to grant and shall not revoke, and a licensing officer shall not refuse to renew, a firearm certificate in respect of a firearm , weapon or ammunition such as is referred to in subsection (1) if the applicant is for the time being authorised by the Minister to have possession of that firearm , weapon or ammunition ; and the chief licensing officer shall not refuse to enter in the register of firearms dealers and gunsmiths the name of a person for the time being authorised as aforesaid to sell or transfer a firearm , weapon or ammunition such as aforesaid, or remove the name of that person from the register, on the ground that that person cannot be permitted to carry on or continue to carry on business as a firearms dealer without danger to the public safety or to the peace. Where any authority to purchase , acquire or have possession of a firearm , weapon or ammunition is revoked under this section, the firearm certificate and any permit relating to that firearm , weapon or ammunition shall be revoked by the chief licensing officer . with any condition subject to which an authority is given under this section; or with the requirements of any notice given under subsection (4),
Section 25Verify source
§ 26Miscellaneous provisions as to firearms and ammunition - Importation and exportation of firearms and ammunitionAmendment

Importing or exporting firearms or ammunition is prohibited except at Minister-designated places and under prescribed import/export permits; officers may refuse or revoke permits and serious penalties apply for contraventions and false statements.

Section Importation and exportation of firearms and ammunition Section The chief licensing officer or a licensing officer , as the case may be, may, at his or her discretion, refuse to grant any import or export permit under this section without assigning any reason for the refusal, and shall refuse to grant any such permit authorising— No person shall import or export any firearm or ammunition except at any one or more places designated for the purpose by the Minister by a notice published in the Gazette and under and in accordance with an import permit issued by the chief licensing officer or an export permit issued by a licensing officer . No person shall import or export any firearm or ammunition , or any firearm or ammunition of a class or type, of which the importation or exportation, as the case may be, is for the time being prohibited by the Minister by statutory order. Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of subsection (1) or (2) commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life. the importation or exportation of any arms or ammunition of war unless the Minister has sanctioned the importation or exportation; the importation or exportation of any firearm or ammunition of which the importation or exportation, as the case may be, is for the time being prohibited under subsection (2); and the importation of any firearm or ammunition which has previously been exported without having obtained an export permit under this Act. Import and export permits under this section shall be in the prescribed forms and there shall be payable in respect of the permits such fees as may be prescribed . The chief licensing officer or a licensing officer , as the case may be, may, without assigning any reason for the revocation, revoke any import or export permit granted under this section at any time before the firearms or ammunition to which it relates have been imported or exported. Any person who, for the purpose of procuring whether for himself or herself or for any other person the issue of an import or export permit under this section, makes any statement which he or she knows to be false or does not believe to be true, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine not exceeding one hundred twenty currency points or both. [subsection (7) amended by section 16 of Act 23 of 2006 ] For the purposes of subsection (2), “ firearm ” includes a safety, toy and alarm pistol, and a rifle which is capable of being converted into, or has the appearance of, a barrelled weapon or which can be used or adapted for the discharge of any noxious liquid, gas or similar substance.
Section 26Verify source
§ 27Miscellaneous provisions as to firearms and ammunition - Removal of imported firearms and ammunitionSubstitution

Importers must not remove imported firearms or ammunition from police custody except in specified circumstances (personal-use importers and trade/business importers face different permit or certificate requirements).

Section Removal of imported firearms and ammunition Section Any person who imports a firearm or ammunition for his or her own personal use shall not remove it or cause it to be removed from police custody unless— All firearms and ammunition imported under this Act shall be detained in police custody pending their removal in accordance with this section. Any person who imports any firearm or ammunition by way of trade or business, or for the purpose of any trade or business, or for any purpose other than his or her own personal use, shall not remove that firearm or ammunition or cause it to be removed from police custody, unless he or she has first obtained from the chief licensing officer a removal permit in the prescribed form authorising him or her to remove the firearm or ammunition from the place where they are kept. he or she has first obtained a firearm certificate in respect of the firearm or ammunition ; or he or she shows that he or she is entitled by virtue of this Act to have the firearm or ammunition in his or her possession without holding a firearm certificate. Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both. [subsection (4) substituted by section 17 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 27Verify source
§ 28Miscellaneous provisions as to firearms and ammunition - Firearms and ammunitions in transitAmendment

A customs officer must, after consulting the chief licensing officer and obtaining the Minister's approval, grant (with or without conditions), refuse, suspend or revoke transit permits for transporting firearms or ammunition out of Uganda; failure to comply with permit conditions is an offence punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points, and the court may order forfeiture.

Section Firearms and ammunitions in transit Section A customs officer shall, after consultation with the chief licensing officer and after obtaining approval of the Minister, grant with or without conditions, or refuse, suspend or revoke transit permits for transportation across Uganda of firearms or ammunition to any place outside Uganda. Any person who fails to comply with any condition subject to which a transit permit is issued commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both, and the court before which the person in convicted may order the forfeiture of the firearm or ammunition to which the permit relates. [subsection (2) amended by section 18 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 28Verify source
§ 29Miscellaneous provisions as to firearms and ammunition - Appeals under Part IIIProvision

Persons aggrieved by specified refusals, revocations or conditions relating to import, export, removal or transit permits may appeal; appeals under this section are subject to Section 22(2) and (3) with necessary modifications.

Section Appeals under Part III Section Any person aggrieved by— the refusal of the chief licensing officer or a licensing officer , as the case may be, to issue to him or her an import or export permit under section 26 ; the revocation of any import or export permit issued to him or her; the refusal by the chief licensing officer to issue to him or her a removal permit under section 27 ; the refusal by a customs officer to issue to him or her a transit permit under section 28 ; the imposition of any conditions attached to any transit permit; or the suspension or revocation of any transit permit, Section 22 (2) and (3) shall apply with all necessary modifications to appeals made under this section.
Section 29Verify source

Part IV

General

§ 30General - Safe custody of firearms and ammunitionSubstitution

People who possess firearms or ammunition must keep them securely, take reasonable precautions to prevent loss, theft or access by unauthorized persons, and must report any loss, theft or destruction to the nearest police officer as soon as possible.

Section Safe custody of firearms and ammunition Section Every person having in his or her possession any firearm or ammunition — shall keep the firearm or ammunition at all times securely and in safe custody; and shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure that the firearm or ammunition is not lost or stolen and is not at any time available to any person not lawfully entitled to possess it. Any person having possession of a firearm or ammunition , whether or not he or she holds a firearm certificate for the firearm or ammunition or is entitled to have possession of the firearm or ammunition without holding a firearm certificate shall, if the firearm or ammunition is lost, stolen or destroyed, report the loss, theft or destruction as soon as possible after its occurrence to the police officer in charge of the nearest police station. Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding one hundred and twenty currency points or both. [subsection (3) substituted by section 19 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 30Verify source
§ 31General - Carrying firearm while drunk or disorderly.Substitution

Anyone who, whether intoxicated or not, while carrying a firearm acts in a dangerous or disorderly manner commits an offence and faces imprisonment up to two years or a fine up to 120 currency points or both.

Section Carrying firearm while drunk or disorderly. Section Any person who, whether by reason of intoxication or otherwise, while carrying a firearm , acts in a dangerous or disorderly manner commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding one hundred and twenty currency points or both. [ section 31 substituted by section 20 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 31Verify source
§ 32General - Penalty for use and possession of firearms or imitation firearms in certain casesSubstitution

Creates offences for certain uses, displays and discharges of firearms or imitation firearms and prescribes penalties including imprisonment and fines.

Section Penalty for use and possession of firearms or imitation firearms in certain cases Section Any person who— makes or attempts to make any use of a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to resist or prevent the lawful apprehension or detention of himself or herself or any other person; or while carrying a firearm or imitation firearm , threatens violence to any person, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years. Any person who displays or attempts to display any firearm or imitation firearm in a public place in such manner as to cause alarm to any member of the public, commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both. [subsection (2) substituted by section 21 of Act 23 of 2006 ] Any person who discharges any firearm deliberately or negligently in a public place thereby causing alarm to any member of the public commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding three hundred currency points or both. [subsection (3) substituted by section 21 of Act 23 of 2006 ] A firearm or imitation firearm shall, notwithstanding that it is not loaded or is otherwise incapable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile, be deemed to be a dangerous weapon or instrument for the purposes of sections 286 and 287 of the Penal Code Act. In this section, “imitation firearm ” means anything which has the appearance of a firearm whether it is capable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile or not.
Section 32Verify source
§ 33General - Provisions as to forfeiture of firearms and ammunition and cancellation of firearms certificatesAmendment

When a person is convicted under this Act the court must order forfeiture of any relevant firearms or ammunition; in specified renewal-failure cases the court must cancel the firearm certificate and the chief licensing officer must require surrender and deposit, with non-compliance punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a fine up to sixty currency points.

Section Provisions as to forfeiture of firearms and ammunition and cancellation of firearms certificates Section Where a person is convicted of an offence under this Act, the court before which he or she is convicted shall order the forfeiture of any firearm or ammunition found in his or her possession or in respect of which the offence of which he or she is convicted was committed or which was used in the commission of the offence if— Subject to subsection (1), where any person— he or she has never held a firearm certificate in respect of that firearm or ammunition ; he or she is convicted under section 30 (1) or under sections 31 and 32 ; or he or she is sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more. is convicted of an offence under this Act; or is convicted of an offence for which he or she is sentenced to enter into recognisances to keep the peace or be of good behaviour a condition of which is that the offender shall not possess, use or carry a firearm , or is subject to a probation order containing a requirement that he or she shall not possess, use or carry a firearm , Where any person is convicted of an offence under the provisions of this Act relating to the unlawful possession of any firearm or ammunition due to his or her failure to renew a firearm certificate by the 31st of January, the court before which he or she is convicted shall cancel the firearm certificate which may have been issued after that date if the person convicted has previously been convicted of an offence of the kind mentioned in this subsection. Where a court cancels a firearm certificate under this section, it shall cause notice to be sent to the chief licensing officer who shall, by notice in writing addressed to the holder of the firearm certificate, require the holder to surrender the firearm certificate to him or her and to deposit any firearm or ammunition to which the certificate relates in such police station as the chief licensing officer may direct; and any holder served with a notice under this subsection who fails to comply with the notice within fourteen days from the date of the notice commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or both. [subsection (4) amended by section 22 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 33Verify source
§ 34General - Power of search and seizureOffence

A police officer who has reasonable cause to suspect a contravention of the Act may enter and search premises and persons and may seize and detain persons or weapons found there.

Section Power of search and seizure Section Whenever a police officer has reasonable cause to suspect that any person has contravened any of the provisions of this Act, he or she may— enter any premises or place and search the premises or place and every person and any package, container, vehicle, aircraft or boat found in, at or on the premises or place; and seize and detain any person, firearm or ammunition found in, at or on the premises or place in respect of which he or she has reasonable cause to suspect that an offence under this Act has been committed.
Section 34Verify source
§ 35General - Power to inspect premisesProvision

The chief licensing officer may (1) require police officers to enter firearms dealers' premises without a search warrant at all reasonable times, (2) inspect the premises and any firearms, ammunition, books, accounts, registers, documents or things found there, and (3) require persons in control or employed on the premises to give information the police require to check compliance.

Section Power to inspect premises Section The chief licensing officer may at all reasonable times require any police officer , without a search warrant, to enter upon the premises of any firearms dealer with a view to ascertaining whether or not the provisions of this Act or of any regulations made under it are being observed, and may inspect the premises and any firearm or ammunition , book, account, register, document or thing found in the premises, and may require any person appearing to be in control of or employed in the premises to give such information as the police may require in order to ascertain whether or not the provisions of this Act or of any regulations made under it are being observed.
Section 35Verify source
§ 36General - Penalty for obstructingOffence

Any person must not obstruct a police officer exercising powers under sections 34 or 35; must give information lawfully required under section 35; and must not give information to a police officer acting under section 35 that the person knows to be false or does not believe to be true.

Section Penalty for obstructing Section Any person who— obstructs a police officer in the exercise of any of the powers conferred on him or her by or under section 34 or 35 ; fails to give the police officer any information which he or she is lawfully required by the police officer under section 35 to give; or gives to any police officer , acting in the exercise of the powers conferred upon him or her by section 35 , any information which he or she knows to be false or does not believe to be true,
Section 36Verify source
§ 37General - Arrest without warrantOffence

Any police officer may arrest without warrant any person suspected on reasonable grounds of having committed or being about to commit an offence against this Act.

Section Arrest without warrant Section Any police officer may arrest without warrant any person whom he or she suspects on reasonable grounds of having committed or being about to commit an offence against this Act.
Section 37Verify source
§ 38General - Disposal of firearms and ammunition forfeited, etc.Provision

If a firearm or ammunition has been held in police custody for more than six months, the Inspector General of Police may order its disposal after taking steps to notify the owner and allowing at least one month to arrange lawful disposal; owners may appeal to the Minister within specified time limits, and the Minister's decision is final.

Section Disposal of firearms and ammunition forfeited, etc. Section Where any firearm or ammunition has been held under police custody for more than six months, the Inspector General of Police may order the disposal of the firearm or ammunition in any manner which he or she thinks fit if— such steps as may be deemed appropriate by the Inspector General of Police have been taken to give notice to the owner of the firearm or ammunition of his or her intention to dispose of the firearm or ammunition and he or she has allowed the owner a period of not less than one month within which to make arrangements for the lawful disposal of the firearm or ammunition ; in the event of a firearm or ammunition being sold at the direction of the Inspector General of Police, the proceeds of the sale, after deduction of the expenses of and incidental to the sale, have been paid over to the owner or, if the owner cannot be traced, have been held on deposit for three months after which the proceeds shall be paid into the general revenue. Any owner of the firearm or ammunition who is aggrieved by any act or omission done or made under subsection (1) may, within fourteen days of the receipt of notice or, in the absence of the notice, within thirty days, appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.
Section 38Verify source
§ 39General - Service of noticesProvision

Notices required or authorised by the Act may be delivered personally or sent by registered post to the recipient's last known postal address or usual place of abode; for firearms dealers, notices may be sent to any place of business where they are registered. Service by registered post is deemed effected at the time ordinary delivery of such post would occur unless the contrary is proved.

Section Service of notices Section Any notice required or authorised by this Act to be given to any person may be delivered personally or sent by registered post in a letter addressed to him or her at his or her last known postal address or usual place of abode, or, in the case of a firearms dealer, at any place of business in respect of which he or she is registered. Service of any notice sent by registered post in accordance with subsection (1) shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to have been effected at the time at which any such registered post would ordinarily be delivered.
Section 39Verify source
§ 40General - Burden of proofProvision

In prosecutions under this Act, the accused person must bear the burden of proof that they are entitled to purchase, acquire or possess a firearm or ammunition by virtue of a certificate, permit or exemption.

Section Burden of proof Section For the purposes of this Act, possession of a firearm or ammunition includes— In any prosecution under this Act the burden of proof that any accused person is entitled to purchase , acquire or have in his or her possession any firearm or ammunition by virtue of any certificate or permit or by virtue of any exemption shall lie on the accused person. actual physical possession; any act, circumstance or state which, under any law for the time being in force in Uganda, would constitute constructive possession; or the placing or keeping or causing or permitting the keeping of a firearm or ammunition in any house, building, lodging, room or place whether open or enclosed, whether the person so placing or keeping occupies the house, building, lodging or place or not or whether or not the person so placing or keeping does so for his or her own use or benefit or for the use or benefit of any other person.
Section 40Verify source
§ 41General - Power to prohibit carrying or selling of firearms and ammunitionSubstitution

The Minister may, by statutory order, prohibit carrying, sale or transfer of firearms and ammunition in specified places and may order delivery of firearms and ammunition; contravening such orders is an offence punishable on conviction by up to five years' imprisonment or a fine up to three hundred currency points or both.

Section Power to prohibit carrying or selling of firearms and ammunition Section The Minister may, from time to time, by statutory order— prohibit the carrying of firearms and ammunition in any place, district or area of Uganda, subject to any exceptions he or she may think fit; prohibit the sale or transfer by gift or otherwise of firearms and ammunition within any place, district or area of Uganda, for such time as may be specified in the order; and order that within any place, district or area of Uganda specified in the order all firearms and ammunition , subject to any exceptions he or she may think fit, shall be delivered to such person or persons as the Minister may appoint. Any person who contravenes, refuses or neglects to comply with any order made under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on conviction, to imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine not exceeding three hundred currency points or both. [subsection (2) substituted by section 24 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 41Verify source
§ 42General - RegulationsOffence

The Minister may make regulations and may prescribe forms, fees, procedures and penalties to implement the Act.

Section Regulations Section The Minister may make regulations— Regulations made under this section may prescribe in relation to the contravention of any provision of the regulations— prescribing the form of a firearm certificate and of any register required to be kept under this Act, and of any permit or other document under this Act; prescribing the fees to be paid for anything done or any permit, document or authorisation issued or granted under this Act; prescribing any thing to be prescribed under this Act; regulating the manner in which the chief licensing officer , deputy chief licensing officer and other licensing officers are to carry out their duties under this Act; regulating or controlling the issue, custody or use of firearms and ammunition issued to the police force or the prisons service exempted from the provisions of this Act; generally for putting the provisions of this Act into effect. Any regulations made under subsection (1)(e) may make such supplementary and incidental provisions as appear to the Minister to be necessary or expedient. a penalty not exceeding three years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding one hundred and eighty currency points or both; in the case of a second or subsequent offence a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding four years or both; a requirement that the court convicting the offender shall order the forfeiture to the state of anything used for or in connection with the offence.
Section 42Verify source
§ 43General - Exemption from operation of the ActProvision

Certain persons are exempted from the operation of the Act: members of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces; members of police or prisons services for Government-issued firearms or ammunition used in duty; and other persons the Minister may exempt by statutory order (subject to conditions the Minister may impose).

Section Exemption from operation of the Act Section Nothing in this Act shall apply to— any member of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces; subject to section 42 , any member of a police force or prisons service in respect of any firearm or ammunition the property of the Government issued to him or her for the performance of his or her duties as such; or such other persons as the Minister may, by statutory order, exempt, and any such exemption may be subject to such conditions as the Minister may, in his or her discretion, impose.
Section 43Verify source
§ 43General - Power of the Minister to amend ScheduleAmendment

The Minister may amend the Schedule to this Act by statutory instrument, subject to Cabinet approval and consultation with the Minister responsible for finance.

Section Power of the Minister to amend Schedule Section The Minister may, with approval of the Cabinet and in consultation with the Minister responsible for finance, by statutory instrument, amend the Schedule to this Act. [ section 43A inserted by section 26 of Act 23 of 2006 ]
Section 43Verify source
§ 44General - SavingsProvision

The provisions of this Act are in addition to, and do not derogate from, any other law then in force relating to the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, acquisition, possession, use, storage, carriage, transportation, importation or exportation of firearms, ammunitions or explosives.

Section Savings Section The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force relating to the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase , acquisition, possession, use, storage, carriage, transportation, importation or exportation of firearms, ammunitions or explosives.
Section 44Verify source

Legislative relationships

6 referenced instruments

Names are derived from the stored provision headings and citation-enrichment layer. Treat this as a research index and verify each relationship against the source text.

A–F

1 instrument

  • Act Certain persons are exempted from the operation of the Act

    Section 43

G–M

2 instruments

  • Minister to amend Schedule The Minister may amend the Schedule to this Act

    Section 43

  • Minister. The functions of the chief licensing officer under this Act

    Section 2

N–S

3 instruments

  • Part II Section This Part of this Act

    Section 23

  • Part III Section Nothing in this Act

    Section 24

  • Penal Code

    Section 32

Recorded versions and source checkpoint

1 version available in this collection

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  • 4 Aug 2006 · currentEnglish

This relationship view does not by itself establish whether another instrument remains in force.

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