Workers Compensation Act

Section Interpretation Section In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “ court ” means a magistrate’s court established under the Magistrates Courts Act, presided over by a chief magistrate or a magistrate grade I, having jurisdiction in the area where the accident to the worker has occurred; “ currency point ” has the meaning assigned to it in the First Schedule to this Act; “ dependents ” means those members of the family including children and the parents substantially dependent on the earnings of a worker at the time of his or her death; “ director general of health services ” means an officer appointed as the director general of health services in the Ministry responsible for health by the Health Service Commission; “ disabilities ” means lack or restriction of ability, caused by impairment, to perform any activity in a manner or within the range considered normal for a human being, within the cultural context; “ earnings ” includes wages and any allowances paid by the employer to the worker , including the value of any food, accommodation or benefit in kind; “ employer ” means the Government of Uganda, any person incorporated or unincorporated, association or part...

Section Application Section This Act shall apply to all employment within Uganda. This Act shall apply to workers employed by or under the Government of Uganda in the same way and to the same extent as if the employer were a private person, but the Act shall not apply to active members of the armed forces of Uganda.

Section Notification by employer to labour officer Section After the happening of an accident causing injury to a worker of such a nature as would entitle him or her to compensation under this Act, the employer shall, at once, report the accident either by telephone, telegram, telefax or telex or any other reasonable means to the labour officer of the area; and the report shall be followed immediately by a written report of the accident before the worker has voluntarily left the employment in which he or she was injured. Where the death of a worker from any cause is brought to the attention of, or comes to the knowledge of his or her employer , the employer shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the death, give notice to the labour officer , stating the circumstances of the death if they are known to the employer . Any employer who fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2) without reasonable cause, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten currency points. Nothing in this section shall prevent any person from making a claim for compensation under this Act.

Section Medical examination and treatment Section Where a worker has given notice of an accident, the employer shall, as soon as reasonably possible after the date on which notice has been given, arrange to have the worker medically examined by a qualified medical practitioner , at no charge to the worker . The worker shall be entitled to have his or her own medical practitioner or an official of a trade union of which he or she is a member present at the examination, but the attendance shall be at the worker ’s own expense. Failure without good cause to appear for a medical examination under this section, or failure to observe the clinical instructions given by a medical practitioner and given at or following the examination, may be taken into account by the court in assessing the amount of compensation payable under this Act; and the court may use the failure to justify the making of a deduction from any sum which would otherwise have been payable in respect of an injury suffered by the worker . During the period of temporary total incapacity , the employer shall be liable to pay the costs of medical care .

Section Agreement as to compensation Section For the purpose of subsection (1), the following requirements shall be complied with— The court may, on the application by any party within three months after the date of the agreement, cancel it and make such order as it thinks just, if the court is satisfied— The employer and the worker may, with the written approval of the labour officer , agree that compensation be paid in respect of an injury which would otherwise give rise to a claim under this Act. the compensation agreed upon shall not be less than the amount payable under this Act; and it shall be for the employer to show that the worker was able to understand the terms of the agreement. that the sum paid or to be paid was less than required by this section; that the agreement was entered into in ignorance of, or under a mistake as to the true nature of the injury ; or that the agreement was obtained by fraud, trickery or the use of undue influence or other improper means.

Section Computed assessment of disability Section If the final assessment of disability made by a medical practitioner after a medical examination, made in accordance with section 11 , is disputed by the employer or the worker, the employer or the worker may apply to the labour officer to request that the dispute be referred to the medical arbitration board. The application for referral shall be made within a reasonable time from the date of receipt of the notice of final assessment. The decision of the medical arbitration board on the matter shall be final unless a party aggrieved by the decision goes to court . The medical arbitration board shall be appointed by the Minister in consultation with the director general of health services upon terms and conditions that the Minister may determine by statutory instrument and shall consist of a chairperson, who shall be a registered medical practitioner , and two other members one of whom shall be a person knowledgeable in disabilities . The medical arbitration board may, at any time and for a specific period co-opt not more than two persons on the board to provide specialised expertise to the board. The medical arbitration board shall...

Section Determination of claims Section If any employer on whom notice of the accident has been served under section 9 does not, within twenty-one days after the receipt of the notice, agree in writing with the worker as to the amount of compensation to be paid, the worker may, in the prescribed form and manner, make an application for enforcing a claim to compensation to the court having jurisdiction in the district in which the accident giving rise to the claim occurred. All claims for compensation under this Act, unless determined by agreement, and any matter, except disputes as to the assessment of disability under section 13 , arising out of proceedings under this Act shall be determined by the court, whatever may be the amount involved. The court may, for the purpose of any proceedings under this section call upon any government officer or any independent medical practitioner to give evidence, if the court is of the opinion that the officer or practitioner is, by virtue of expert knowledge, capable of assisting the court .

Section Power of court to submit question of law Section The court may, if it thinks fit, submit any question of law for the decision of the High Court. The submission shall be in the form of a special case in accordance with rules made under section 35 .

Section Appeals Section Subject to this section and sections 12 and 25 , an appeal shall lie to the High Court from any order of the court. Except with the leave of the court or of the High Court, no appeal shall lie if the amount in dispute is less than one currency point . Leave shall not be granted under subsection (1) unless in the opinion of the court or of the High Court a substantial question of law is involved in the appeal. No appeal shall lie in any case in which the parties have agreed to abide by the decision of the court , or in which the order of the court gives effect to an agreement of the parties. No appeal shall lie after the expiration of thirty days from the date of the order of the court , except that the High Court may extend the time for appealing under this section even if the time for appealing has elapsed.

Section Effect of receipt of damages Section When the injury in respect of which compensation is payable under this Act arises from an accident the circumstances of which create a legal liability on the employer , either directly or vicariously, or on some other person, for which the worker may recover damages in an action at law, the worker or person authorised to bring proceedings on his or her behalf, may, notwithstanding this Act, bring proceedings and recover damages. Where a claim for damages as referred to in subsection (1) is brought by a worker , the amount of compensation which he or she has been awarded under this Act shall be taken into account in the assessment of his or her loss. Where a claim for compensation under this Act is brought by a worker who has suffered injury , the amount of compensation payable shall be reduced by the amount of any damages following a finding of legal liability received in respect of the injury from any person. Where a claim for damages as referred to in subsection (1) is brought by a worker , the court in which the proceedings are taken may decide whether the circumstances of the cla are such that compensation under this Act is payable t...

Section Insurance Section An employer who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable— Subject to subsections (2) and (3), every employer shall insure and keep himself or herself insured in respect of any liability which he or she may incur under this Act to any worker employed by him or her. The insurers empowered to offer insurance under this section shall be specified in a list kept by the Minister responsible for finance and published in the official Gazette. An employer shall not, for the purpose of obtaining a policy of insurance as required by this section, make any false statement or wilfully do any act in consequence of which the policy is liable to be voided or payment under the policy refused. An employer shall provide information regarding insurance effected to meet the requirements of this section, when reasonably requested by the labour commissioner or any person acting on his or her behalf. on a first conviction to a fine not exceeding ten currency points; on a second conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty currency points; and on a third and subsequent convictions, to a fine not exceeding one hundred and fifty currency points or imprisonment not exce...

Section Powers of Minister regarding insurance Section The Minister may, by regulations, make provision for— declaring void any terms included in a policy of insurance which is issued for the purposes of section 18 ; paying benefits under that policy in circumstances where judgment of any liability required to be covered by section 18 has been obtained by the worker against the employer.

Section Bankruptcy of employer Section The amount due in respect of any compensation or liability for compensation shall be included among the debts which— For the purposes of subsection (4), the amount due in respect of compensation or liability for compensation shall have accrued before the following dates— Where any employer has entered into a contract with any insurer in respect of any liability under this Act to any worker , then if the employer becomes bankrupt or makes a composition or arrangement with his or her creditors, or if the employer is a company, if the company has commenced to be wound up or a receiver or manager of the company’s business or undertaking has been duly appointed, the rights of the employer against the insurer as regards liability shall, notwithstanding anything in any law relating to bankruptcy and the winding up of companies, be transferred to and vest in the worker . Where any transfer takes place under subsection (1), the insurer shall have the same rights and remedies and be subject to the same liabilities as if it were the employer ; except that the insurers shall not be under any greater liability to the worker than they would have been under...

Section Contracting out Section Any contract or agreement, whether made before or after the commencement of this Act, by which a worker relinquishes any right to compensation from an employer for injury arising out of and in the course of the worker ’s employment, shall be null and void insofar as it seeks to remove or reduce the liability of any person to pay compensation under this Act.

Section Liability in case of contract of work Section Where a claim is made under subsection (1), the person contracting or subcontracting out work shall notify the employer about the claim and the employer shall make preparation— Where a person awards a contract or subcontract to an employer for the execution of any piece of work, that person shall be liable to pay to any worker employed in the execution of the contract or subcontract by the employer any compensation under this Act as if that worker had been directly employed by that person. Where compensation is claimed or proceedings are taken against a person under subsection (1), any reference to the employer under this Act shall apply to that person except that the amount of compensation shall be calculated with reference to the earnings of the worker as paid by the employer . Where a person pays compensation under subsection (1), he or she shall be entitled to be indemnified by the employer . to pay compensation to the worker ; or to indemnify the person who paid the compensation to the worker . Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a worker from making a claim for compensation directly against the employe...

Section Compensation not to be assigned, etc. Section Compensation payable under this Act shall not be capable of being assigned, charged or attached, and shall not pass to any other person by operation of law nor shall any claim be set off against that compensation.

Section Employer’s liability Section The employer shall not be liable in respect of an injury which does not either— If personal injury by accident arises out of and in the course of a worker ’s employment, the injured worker ’s employer shall be liable to pay compensation in accordance with this Act. result in permanent incapacity; or incapacitate the worker for at least three consecutive days from earning full wages at the work at which he or she was employed. An act shall be deemed to be done out of and in the course of employment when a worker acts to protect any person on the employer ’s premises whom the worker believes to be injured or imperilled, or when a worker acts to protect property on the employer ’s premises. Any personal injury by accident arising while the employee is travelling directly to or from his or her place of work for the purpose of employment shall be deemed to be an accident arising out of and in the course of his or her employment. For the purposes of this section, it shall be for the employee who suffers injury by accident arising while travelling to or from his or her place of work to show that such travel was direct. Compensation shall be payable und...

Section Fatal injuries Section Where the deceased worker leaves any family members who are dependent on his or her earnings , the amount of compensation shall be a sum equal to sixty times his or her monthly earnings , computed in accordance with section 8 subject to a maximum which may be varied by the Minister on the recommendation of the labour advisory board. Where the deceased worker does not leave any family members who are dependent on his or her earnings , the employer shall pay the expenses of the medical aid provided and the burial expenses of the deceased. Where the deceased worker has, in respect of the same accident, received compensation under section 5 or 6 , half of that amount shall be deducted from the sum payable under subsection (1). It shall be presumed for the purposes of this Act that a worker has dependents unless the local authority of the home area of the deceased prove otherwise. Where an injury results in the death of a worker , any compensation payable under this Act shall be paid to the labour commissioner who, in consultation with the Administrator General, will pay it to the beneficiaries according to the degree of dependence of the survivors to the...

Section Permanent total incapacity Section Except where the terms and conditions of service provide for a higher compensation, where permanent total incapacity results from any injury , the amount of compensation shall be a sum equal to sixty months’ earnings . Where an injury under this section is such as to be likely to require the injured worker to have the constant assistance of another person on a permanent basis, then the amount of compensation payable shall be increased by one-quarter.

Section Permanent partial incapacity Section Where permanent partial incapacity results from the injury , the amount of compensation shall be— in the case of an injury specified in the Second Schedule to this Act, such percentage of sixty times the workers’ monthly earnings as is specified in that Schedule as being the percentage of the loss of earning capacity caused by that injury ; in the case of an injury not specified in the Second Schedule to this Act, such percentage of sixty times the workers’ monthly earnings as is proportionate to the loss of earning capacity permanently caused by the injury . Where more than one injury results from the same accident, the amount of compensation shall be aggregated, but the amount of compensation payable under this section shall not be greater than the amount that would have been payable if the accident had caused the worker to suffer permanent total incapacity . The Minister on the recommendation of the labour advisory board may, by statutory instrument, increase the amount of compensation payable under this section.

Section Temporary incapacity Section Where temporary incapacity, whether total or partial, results from the injury , the compensation shall be either a lump sum or periodic payments as the court may order, having regard to the circumstances in which the accident took place, the probable duration of the incapacity of the worker , the injuries suffered by the worker and the financial consequences for the worker and his or her dependents . The period covered by hospitalisation or absence from duty certified necessary by a medical practitioner shall be regarded as a period of temporary total incapacity irrespective of the outcome of the injury , and any period subsequent but preceding final assessment of disability shall be regarded as a period of temporary partial incapacity, both periods being continuous with each other, variations in payments notwithstanding; and the maximum duration of periodical payments under this section shall not exceed ninety-six months, except where in the opinion of a medical practitioner , the period of incapacity is longer, it may be extended beyond the ninety-six months.

Section Calculation of earnings Section For the purpose of this Act, the monthly earnings of a worker shall be computed in a manner best calculated to give the rate per month at which the worker has been remunerated during the twelve months immediately preceding the accident, and the computation of annual earnings shall be a multiple of twelve of that sum. Where, by reason of the shortness of time during which the worker has been employed or for other good cause, it is not possible to compute the earnings of the worker in the way mentioned in subsection (1), regard may be had to the average monthly amount which was being earned by a person of similar earning capacity in the same grade as the worker and employed at the same or similar employment. Where a dependent dies before payment of compensation in respect of a worker ’s death is made to the dependent, his or her legal representative shall have no right to receive the payment, and the claim for compensation shall be dealt with as if that dependent had died before the worker . Where an employer makes a payment to a worker or the dependents of a deceased worker pending the settlement of determination of a claim arising under this...

Section Notification of accident Section Compensation may not be payable under this Act unless notice of the accident has been given to the employer by or on behalf of the worker as soon as is reasonably practicable, and in any case within one month after the date when the accident occurred or within three months after the date the symptoms of the occupational disease became apparent; but no notice is required where it is shown that the employer was aware of the accident or disease at or about the time it occurred or at the time when the symptoms became evident, or for any reasonable cause. Notice in respect of an accident causing injury to which this Act applies shall be given in a form prescribed by the Minister , by regulations.

Section Medical aid Section Where an accident occurs entitling the worker to compensation under this Act, the employer shall defray the reasonable costs incurred by the worker — in respect of medical expenses; and in respect of transport and incidental expenses, The court may, when determining any dispute in respect of the compensation or upon the application of any interested person, order the payment of any of the expenses referred to in this section to the persons entitled to receive it. If the worker is killed as a result of an accident for which the employer has liability under this Act, the dependents (if any) of the deceased may recover from the employer the expenses of medical treatment of the deceased if no medical care was paid under section 11 (4), burial of the deceased and expenses incidental to the medical treatment and burial of the deceased.

Section Decisions of the court concerning treatment and medical reports Section All disputes as to the necessity for, or the character or sufficiency of, any medical aid provided or to be provided under this Part of the Act shall be determined by the court .

Section Procedures relating to claims Section Except where, after consultation with the labour advisory board , a contrary procedure is prescribed by the Minister by regulations, for particular categories of workers suffering injuries giving rise to compensation under this Act, the following procedure shall govern the payment of compensation— any compensation due shall be paid by the employer to the district labour officer , and the district labour officer shall, as soon as is practicable, and in any case not later than two weeks after receipt of a claim, pay any such sum to the worker or other person or persons entitled to receive it; any notice required under this Act to be served by a worker may be served by a district labour officer ; where compensation has been paid by the employer to the district labour officer , and the district labour officer is unable after taking reasonable steps to pay it to the person or persons entitled to receive it, the district labour officer shall pay the sum into the Consolidated Fund; except that payment into the Consolidated Fund shall not preclude the subsequent making of a claim to the district labour officer for payment to persons entitled by...

Section Compensation payable in respect of diseases Section Where a medical practitioner grants a certificate stating that— For the avoidance of doubt, it is stated that a disease is contracted for the purposes of this section either— a worker is suffering from a scheduled disease causing disablement or that the death of a worker was caused by any scheduled disease ; and the disease was due to the nature of the worker ’s employment and was contracted within the twenty-four months immediately previous to the date of the disablement or death, except in the case of a scheduled disease which manifests itself after or during several years of employment, the worker , or if he or she is deceased, his or her dependents shall be entitled to claim and to receive compensation under this Act as if the disablement or death had been caused by an accident arising out of and in the course of his or her employment. when the symptoms of the disease are clearly manifested in physiological or psychological signs; or when it is first diagnosed by a medical practitioner . Whenever a medical practitioner grants a certificate under this section, it shall be the duty of the worker or a person acting on his...

Section Employers duty to report scheduled diseases Section Whenever a medical practitioner grants a certificate as is mentioned in section 27 , it shall be the duty of the employer of the worker to make and submit, at once, a written report of the case giving all the particulars contained in the certificate to the labour officer of the area.

Section Liability to pay compensation Section Subject to subsection (5), compensation shall be payable by the employer who last employed the worker during the period of twenty-four months referred to in section 27 (1)(b) unless that employer proves that the disease was not contracted while the worker was in his employment. The worker or his or her dependents shall, if required by the employer from whom compensation is claimed, provide the information they have as to the identity and location of all other employers of the worker during the period of twenty-four months referred to in section 27 (1)(b). If the employer alleges that the disease was in fact contracted while the worker was in the employment of another employer and not while in his or her employment, the employer may join the other employer as a party to the proceedings in the manner provided by rules of court made under section 35 ; and, if the allegation is proved, the other employer shall be the employer from whom the compensation is to be recoverable. If the claim is in respect of a disease which is contracted by a gradual process, every other employer who employed the worker during the period of twenty-four months re...

Section Fixing of dates Section In the application of the provisions of this Act to disablement or death caused by a scheduled disease , any reference to the date of the occurrence of the accident shall be construed to mean— in the case of a disease causing disablement, the date of the certificate referred to in section 27 ; and in the case of death from a disease, the date of the death of the worker . The provisions of section 9 concerning notification to the employer shall apply in respect of the recovery of compensation as they apply in respect of the recovery of compensation for an injury resulting from an accident. Compensation shall be calculated with reference to the earnings of the worker under the employer from whom the compensation is recoverable; and the monthly earnings of the worker shall be computed in the manner best calculated to give the rate per month at which the worker was being remunerated at the date of the grant of the certificate referred to in section 27 . Where at the date of the grant of the certificate the worker was not so employed, the earnings shall be computed in a manner best calculated to give the rate per month at which the worker was being remune...

Section Presumption as to cause of disease Section If a worker who becomes disabled by or dies of any disease mentioned in the Third Schedule to this Act was, within the period of twenty-four months immediately preceding the disablement or death, employed in any occupation mentioned in Column II of that Schedule in relation to that disease, it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the disease was due to the nature of that employment.

Section Power of Minister to amend the Third Schedule Section Subject to the other provisions of this section, the Minister may, after consultation with the labour advisory board , by regulations, amend the Third Schedule to this Act by inserting in or deleting from that Schedule any disease. Before the Minister makes any regulation under this section, the Minister shall cause to be published in the Gazette a notice of his or her intention to make the regulation inviting persons wishing to object to the making of the regulation to submit their objections in writing to the labour commissioner within a period specified in the notice. The Minister shall consider the objections submitted under subsection (2) and shall in any case not issue the regulation before the expiry of at least one month after the date of the notice referred to in subsection (2).

Section Regulations Section Without prejudice to the general effect of subsection (1), the Minister may make regulations under that subsection for the following purposes— Regulations made under this section may prescribe a penalty of a fine not exceeding thirty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both in respect of a contravention of any provision of the regulation— Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Minister may, by statutory instrument make regulations for giving full effect to the purposes and provisions of this Act. for any purpose for which regulations are required or authorised to be made under this Act; prescribing anything required or authorised to be prescribed under this Act; prescribing procedure, forms and fees. in respect of a second or subsequent offence, a penalty of a fine not exceeding sixty currency points or imprisonment not exceeding two years or both; and an additional penalty not exceeding three currency points in respect of each day on which the offence continues. Without prejudice to the powers of the Minister under this section, the labour advisory board shall, at intervals of not less than once in each calendar year, to review...

Section Offences by bodies of persons Section Where an offence under this Act or under any regulations made under it is committed by a body of persons then— if that body is a company, every director or officer of the company commits the offence; and if the body is a firm or partnership, every partner of the firm or partnership commits an offence. A person commits no offence under subsection (1) if he or she proves that the act or omission constituting the offence took place without his or her knowledge or consent.

Section Rules of court Section The Chief Justice may make rules of court for regulating proceedings before the court under this Act and for the fees payable in respect of those proceedings.

Section Workers and dependents outside Uganda Section Compensation awarded under this Act to a worker or dependent who is resident and domiciled outside Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania shall be paid by the employer to the labour officer . The labour commissioner shall make such arrangements as he or she considers to be appropriate for the transmission of compensation to the worker or dependent entitled to the compensation. Where, in a claim arising under this section, it is not possible to identify the proper recipient of compensation or any person dependent upon him or her, the labour officer shall pay the compensation to the Administrator General for payment into the Consolidated Fund. Nothing in this section shall prevent payment of any compensation due under this Act to any person, as and when that person or his or her dependent is identified.

Section Power of Minister to amend the First Schedule Section The Minister may, by statutory instrument, with the approval of the Cabinet, amend the First Schedule to this Act.