The Annual Legal Empowerment Summit 2026, hosted at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) on May 14, featured Hon. Justice Musa Ssekaana emphasizing community legal awareness on succession, will drafting, and estate planning to reduce family disputes. The summit highlighted the legal necessities of a valid will including sound mind, clear intent, signature, and independent witnesses and provided practical steps for securing assets to prevent legal conflicts.
Read the The keynote address, delivered by Hon. Justice Musa Ssekaana at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Main Campus on May 14, 2026.
Key Takeaways from the Summit
- Legal Awareness: Empowering citizens with knowledge reduces prolonged court battles over family properties.
- Will Drafting: Writing a valid will ensures a person's wishes are respected and protects vulnerable dependants.
- Estate Planning: Early management of assets prevents state intervention and simplifies property distribution.
- Succession Law: Understanding the Succession Act helps families navigate probate and letters of administration smoothly.
Core Elements of a Valid Will in Uganda
- Testator's Capacity: The person making the will must be of sound mind and adult age.
- Clear Intent: The document must explicitly state how property should be distributed after death.
- Signature: The testator must sign or place a thumbprint on the document.
- Witnesses: Two independent witnesses must sign the will in the presence of the testator.
- Executor Appointment: The will must name a trusted person to carry out the instructions.
Steps to Secure an Estate
- Asset Inventory: Keep an updated list of all land titles, bank accounts, and businesses.
- Dependant Protection: Clearly provide for spouses and minor children to avoid future legal challenges.
- Proper Storage: Store the will in a secure place like a bank, with a lawyer, or at the High Court.
- Regular Updates: Review and update the will after major life events like marriage, births, or property acquisition.