President Museveni Assents to Eight Key Laws, Including Landmark Health Products Regulation Act

Kampala, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has given presidential assent to eight pieces of legislation, ushering in significant legal reforms across healthcare, energy, employment, forensics, and corporate governance.

Among the most notable is the National Drug and Health Products Authority Act, 2026, which expands regulatory oversight beyond traditional medicines to now include vaccines, medical devices, diagnostics, cosmetics, and other health products. The new law is expected to strengthen safety monitoring, quality assurance, and overall oversight of the health products supply chain in Uganda.

In the energy sector, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, 2026 introduces mandatory energy performance standards, regular audits, and the regulation of inefficient technologies—part of a broader push to reduce waste and promote sustainable power usage.

On the financial front, the Non-Performing Assets Recovery Trust (Repeal) Act, 2024 formally dissolves the Trust and transfers its functions to the Ministry of Finance, a move aimed at streamlining operations and improving coordination in the management of non-performing assets.

Parliament also passed the Employment (Amendment) Act, 2025, which strengthens legal protections for domestic workers, casual laborers, and migrant workers—groups that previously faced gaps in coverage under existing labour laws.

The Forensic and Scientific Analytical Services Act, 2026 enhances the country’s forensic systems and evidence-handling protocols, a step expected to boost the integrity of criminal investigations and judicial processes.

Other laws assented to include:

· The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2026
· The Public Enterprises Reform and Divestiture (Amendment) Act, 2024
· The Magistrates Courts (Amendment) Act, 2026

Officials say the new legal framework reflects government’s commitment to modernizing regulation, protecting vulnerable workers, and improving service delivery across multiple sectors. Implementation timelines and enforcement guidelines for the respective Acts are expected to be issued by the relevant ministries in due course.