Firearms Act

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...

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 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 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 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 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...

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 gunsmit...

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...

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 noti...

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 sev...

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 2...

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 a...

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 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...

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 chie...

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 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 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...

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 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 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...

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 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 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 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 s...

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...

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 convict...

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 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 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 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 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 imita...

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...

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 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 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 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 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,...

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 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 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 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...

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 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 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.