Witness Summons (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act

AI-assisted research summary: Defines the terms “court”, “currency point”, “magistrate”, and “summons”, and provides that where a magistrate endorses a summons under section 3, another magistrate with jurisdiction may exercise the power or perform the duty.

AI-assisted research summary: The Minister may, by statutory order, declare that this Act applies to a foreign country if satisfied that reciprocal enforcement provisions exist or will be made.

AI-assisted research summary: Sets steps for handling foreign-issued summonses: a court may send summonses to the Director of Public Prosecutions; the Director must send them to the Chief Registrar; the Chief Registrar must send them to the magistrate; a magistrate may endorse the summons if satisfied of lawful issuance, payment/provision for travel and subsistence, and compliance with the Act.

AI-assisted research summary: Summons endorsed by a magistrate must be served personally by a police officer, public officer, or other person the magistrate directs; receipts, returns to the magistrate, certification for police officers, affidavits of service, and forwarding to the Chief Registrar and issuing court are required as specified.

AI-assisted research summary: If a magistrate who endorsed a summons is satisfied the witness cannot be found in their jurisdiction, the magistrate must return the summons to the Chief Registrar with a written report; the Chief Registrar must then return it to the issuing court or send it to the magistrate for another area of Uganda if they believe the person may be there.

AI-assisted research summary: A person served with a summons may apply to the magistrate who endorsed it for an order excusing compliance; the magistrate may require examination, may allow oral urgent applications, and any order must be written with reasons, signed, sent to the Chief Registrar who will forward it to the issuing court.

AI-assisted research summary: The Minister may, if satisfied it is desirable and after a summons has been received by the Director of Public Prosecutions under section 3(1), order that the person named in the summons be excused from complying with it; the Director must forward a copy of such an order to the court issuing the summons; such an order is not subject to review by any court.

AI-assisted research summary: Persons served with a summons who are not excused by an order under section 6 or 7 must obey the summons or risk committing an offence liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty currency points.

AI-assisted research summary: The Minister responsible for finance may amend the Schedule to this Act by statutory instrument with the approval of Cabinet.