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May 1, 2026President Museveni Signs into Law Eight Major Acts of Parliament Tightening Health, Energy and Justice Systems.
By Abraham Lincolns | Kampala
President Museveni signed into law eight major Acts of Parliament, introducing wide-ranging reforms in Uganda’s health, energy, labour, justice, and public sector management systems.
Among the new significant laws is the National Drug and Health Products Authority Act, 2026, which establishes a strengthened regulatory framework covering medicines, vaccines, medical devices, diagnostics, cosmetics, and other health-related products.
The law is expected to enhance safety standards, improve oversight, and tighten controls within the pharmaceutical and health supply chain. In the justice sector, the Forensic and Scientific Analytical Services Act, 2026 was enacted to modernize Uganda’s forensic systems, improve scientific evidence handling, and strengthen criminal investigations.
The legislation is aimed at promoting sustainable energy use and reducing waste across industrial and domestic sectors. Government also moved to streamline financial recovery mechanisms with the Non-Performing Assets Recovery Trust (Repeal) Act, 2024, which dissolves the Trust and transfers its functions to the Ministry of Finance in a bid to improve efficiency in handling distressed financial assets.
In the energy sector, the President assented to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, 2026, which introduces mandatory energy standards, energy audits, and regulation of inefficient technologies
Labour protections were strengthened under the Employment (Amendment) Act, 2025, which expands safeguards for domestic workers, casual labourers, and migrant workers—sectors often cited as vulnerable to exploitation.
Other laws assented to include the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026, which updates intellectual property protections; the Public Enterprises Reform and Divestiture (Amendment) Act, 2024, aimed at improving management of state-owned entities; and the Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act, 2026, which introduces reforms to enhance efficiency in lower courts.
Government officials say the package of laws reflects a broader reform agenda focused on strengthening regulatory systems, improving public service delivery, and supporting economic
transformation.
The new legal framework is expected to trigger policy and institutional changes across multiple sectors in the coming months as implementation guidelines are rolled out.
