Uganda
Trade Unions Act
Chapter 223
- Published
- Commenced on 23 July 1976
- [This is the version of this document at 31 December 2000.]
- [Note: The version of the Act as at 31 December 2000 was revised and consolidated by the Law Reform Commission of Uganda. All subsequent amendments have been researched and applied by Laws.Africa for ULII.]
Interpretation
1. Interpretation
Establishment of the National Organisation of Trade Unions and registration of unions
2. Establishment and functions of the National Organisation of Trade Unions
3. Registrars, etc.
4. Appointment of a trade unions tribunal
5. Register of trade unions
6. Application for registration
7. Certificate of registration
8. Refusal of registration
9. Cancellation of registration
10. Appeals
11. Consequences of cancellation of registration
12. Power of registrar to interdict or suspend certain officers, etc.
13. Unregistered trade unions prohibited from carrying on business
14. Information required by the Minister from the National Organisation of Trade Unions
15. Registration of branch unions
Rights and liabilities
16. Benefits of registration
On the registration of a trade union under this Act, the registered trade union shall enjoy all the rights, immunities or privileges of a registered trade union conferred on a registered trade union by this Act.17. Rights, immunities, etc.
18. Liability in contract
19. Proceedings by and against unions
20. Membership of minors
21. Officers of the National Organisation of Trade Unions and registered trade unions
22. Voting members of the National Organisation of Trade Unions and registered trade unions
23. Alterations to constitution and rules, etc.
24. Annual general meetings
25. Extraordinary general meeting
26. Record of meetings, etc.
27. Custody of record of minutes
28. Amalgamation of registered trade unions
Any two or more registered trade unions may, with the prior consent in writing of the registrar and subject to any conditions as may be specified by the registrar, amalgamate together as one trade union in any case in which at least 50 percent of the delegates called for that purpose agree that the trade union concerned may enter into any such amalgamation.29. Registration of amalgamated trade unions
30. Effect of change of name
31. Registered office and postal address
32. Constitution or rules
33. Copies of rules
A copy of the constitution or rules of the National Organisation of Trade Unions or of a registered trade union shall be delivered by the National Organisation of Trade Unions or the trade union to any person becoming a member thereof and to any person entitled to apply to become a member of the National Organisation of Trade Unions or the trade union on demand and on payment of a sum of money not exceeding one shilling.34. Notification of changes of officers, etc.
35. Notification of dissolution
When a registered trade union is dissolved, notice containing such particulars as may be prescribed of the dissolution signed by seven members and by the secretary of the registered trade union shall, within fourteen days of the dissolution, be sent to the registrar and shall be registered by the registrar if he or she is satisfied that the dissolution has been effected in accordance with the constitution or rules of the trade union, and the dissolution shall have effect from the date of the registration.36. Trustees
37. Property of the National Organisation of Trade Unions vests in trustees
38. Power of registered trade union to hold land
39. Funds of the National Organisation of Trade Unions and registered trade unions
40. Estimates and expenditure
41. Restriction on foreign aid
Notwithstanding any provision of this Act or any other written law to the contrary, the National Organisation of Trade Unions or any registered trade union shall not enter into any agreement for aid of any nature with any foreign country or organisation without consultation with, and approval of, the Minister.Finance
42. Application of funds
The funds of the National Organisation of Trade Unions or a registered trade union may, subject to the provisions of this Act and to the constitution or rules thereof, be expended only for the following objects—43. Prohibition of payment of fines or penalties
44. Books of account, etc.
45. Circulation of accounts
46. Annual returns
47. Inspection of accounts and documents
The books of account of the National Organisation of Trade Unions or a registered trade union and a list of the members thereof shall be open to inspection by any officer or member of the National Organisation of Trade Unions or the trade union at such times as may be provided for in the rules of the National Organisation of Trade Unions or the trade union, and by the registrar or any person authorised in that behalf in writing by the registrar, at any reasonable time.48. Obstructing inspection by registrar
Any person who opposes, obstructs or in any other manner whatsoever hinders the registrar or any person authorised by the registrar under section 47 in carrying out an inspection under that section commits an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.49. Power to call for detailed accounts
50. Prohibition of officers from holding office or controlling funds
Picketing, intimidation, disputes, etc.
51. Peaceful picketing and prevention of intimidation
52. Intimidation or annoyance
53. Conspiracy in trade disputes
54. Freedom of association of employees
Employees associations
55. Employees associations
56. Accounts and books of employees association
Offences and penalties
57. Penalty for misuse of money or property of trade unions
58. Limitation of prosecutions
No prosecution shall be instituted under section 51 or 52 except by, or at the instance of, or with the written consent of, the Director of Public Prosecutions.59. Courts which may try offences
All offences under this Act may be prosecuted before a court presided over by a chief magistrate.Investigations
60. Inquiries by Minister, etc.
61. Appointment of investigator
62. Investigation into other trade unions, etc.
If the Minister, upon the recommendation of the investigator, thinks it necessary for the purposes of an investigation under section 61 that there should be an investigation into the affairs of any other trade union or person which or who has, at any relevant time, been associated in any manner with the National Organisation of Trade Unions or the trade union concerned, he or she shall order such investigation; and the investigator shall report on the affairs of any such other trade union or persons so far as he or she thinks the results of his or her investigation thereof are relevant to the investigation of the affairs of the first-mentioned trade union.63. Production of books, documents, evidence, etc.
64. Report of investigator
65. Proceedings after investigations
If, as a result of any information obtained in accordance with section 52(4) or 60 or as a result of any report made under section 64, it appears to the Minister that—Miscellaneous
66. Nomination
67. Service of legal process
Every summons, notice or other document required to be served on the National Organisation of Trade Unions or a registered trade union in any civil or criminal proceedings shall be deemed to be duly served if it is delivered at the registered office of the National Organisation of Trade Unions or the trade union or posted to its registered postal address, or if it is served personally on the chairperson or the treasurer or the secretary or on any officer of the National Organisation of Trade Unions or the trade union insofar as that service is otherwise in compliance with the requirements of any relevant law.68. Facts to be notified in the Gazette
The registrar shall notify the following facts in the Gazette—69. Regulations
70. Ineligibility for membership in trade union and inapplicability of certain laws
History of this document
31 December 2000 this version
Consolidation
23 July 1976
Commenced