How to Write a Tenancy Agreement in Uganda (With Free Template)
RentEase Team
1 June 2026
Drafting a tenancy agreement in Uganda is more than good business practice. For most properties it is a strict legal requirement.
Following the enactment of The Landlord and Tenant Act, 2022, any tenancy agreement where the monthly rent is UGX 500,000 or more must be in writing (or in the form of a data message like an email or digital contract) to be legally enforceable in a court of law. If you manage rental properties in Kampala, Wakiso, Entebbe, or anywhere else in Uganda and rely on verbal agreements, you are exposing your investment to major legal risks.
In this guide, we break down how to write a legally binding tenancy agreement in Uganda, highlight the clauses that must be included to comply with the 2022 Act, and provide a free template you can download and use today.
Tenancy Agreement, Rental Contract, or Lease Agreement?
Landlords in Uganda use the three terms interchangeably, and for ordinary residential renting that is harmless. The 2022 Act itself speaks of a tenancy agreement, and that is the wording to use on the document you hand your tenant.
There is one place the distinction stops being cosmetic. A lease of registered land for a term exceeding three years is a different instrument altogether: under the Registration of Titles Act it is granted in the prescribed form and registered against the title, and stamp duty applies. If you are letting a unit month to month or on a one- or two-year term, that is not what you are doing. You are writing a tenancy agreement, and the template below is the right document.
What is never optional is the writing itself. Whatever you call it, if the rent is UGX 500,000 or more per month, it must exist in writing or as a data message to be enforceable.
Key Terms That Every Tenancy Agreement Must Specify
To be legally compliant and protect both parties, a standard tenancy agreement in Uganda must explicitly state:
- Details of the Parties: The full names, contact addresses, and verified identity details (such as National Identification Number - NIN, or Passport number) of both the Landlord and the Tenant.
- Description of the Premises: The specific location, plot number, block, and unit number of the property being let.
- The Term (Duration): The start date, end date, and whether the tenancy is a fixed-term, month-to-month, or weekly arrangement.
- Rent Amount and Payment Terms: The exact monthly rent in Uganda Shillings (UGX), the due date, and the accepted payment methods (such as MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, or direct bank transfer).
- Security Deposit: The amount of the security deposit, which under the 2022 Act cannot exceed one month's rent, and the exact conditions for its return or withholding.
4 Crucial Clauses Required by the Landlord and Tenant Act 2022
When drafting your agreement, you must ensure that your terms do not violate the provisions of the 2022 Act. Any clause in an agreement that contradicts the Act is automatically void. For the full picture, read our plain-language guide to the Uganda Landlord and Tenant Act 2022.
1. The Currency Rule (Section 22)
Unless both parties agree otherwise in writing, all rent must be paid in Uganda Shillings (UGX). You cannot demand rent in US Dollars or other foreign currencies unless the tenant specifically consents to it within the written lease.
2. Rent Increases (Section 26 & 27)
A landlord cannot increase rent by more than 10% annually and must provide the tenant with at least 60 days' written notice before the increase can take effect. Rent cannot be increased more than once every 12 months.
3. Security Deposit Terms (Section 30)
The security deposit must be held to secure the performance of the tenant's obligations. Importantly, the landlord cannot withhold the security deposit for normal wear and tear resulting from the ordinary, non-negligent use of the property.
4. Right to Entry and Privacy (Sections 19 and 48)
A landlord cannot enter the rented premises without giving the tenant at least twenty hours' written notice beforehand, except in a genuine emergency, and entering without that notice is an offence carrying a fine of up to one hundred currency points, which is UGX 2,000,000. Separately, section 19 requires the landlord to take all reasonable steps to ensure the tenant's quiet enjoyment of the premises.
Free Tenancy Agreement Template (Uganda)
Here is a standard, legally compliant template suitable for residential and commercial tenancies in Uganda. Copy, paste, and customise this template for your properties. If you would rather fill in the blanks and have the document assembled for you, our tenancy agreement builder drafts every clause from the 2022 Act and warns you the moment a deposit, rent increase, advance payment or notice period you enter breaches it.
TENANCY AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made this _____ day of __________________ 20____
BETWEEN:
LANDLORD: [Landlord's Full Name]
NIN / Passport No: [Landlord's ID Number]
Physical Address: [Landlord's Physical Address, Kampala, Uganda]
Phone Number: [Landlord's Mobile Number]
Email Address: [Landlord's Email]
(hereinafter referred to as the "Landlord" which expression shall where the context so admits include their successors in title) of the one part;
AND:
TENANT: [Tenant's Full Name]
NIN / Passport No: [Tenant's ID Number]
Physical Address: [Tenant's Former Address / Contact Details]
Phone Number: [Tenant's Mobile Number]
Email Address: [Tenant's Email]
(hereinafter referred to as the "Tenant" which expression shall where the context so admits include their permitted assigns) of the other part.
1. THE PREMISES
The Landlord agrees to let and the Tenant agrees to take all that property described as:
Unit No: ______, Block / Plot No: ______, located at [Street/Village/Zone], [Division/Town], [District], Uganda (hereinafter referred to as the "Premises").
2. THE TERM
The tenancy shall be for a fixed term of ________ months commencing on the _____ day of ______________ 20___ and ending on the _____ day of ______________ 20___.
3. RENT AND BILLING
a) The monthly rent shall be UGX __________________ (Uganda Shillings ____________________________________________________ Only).
b) Rent shall be paid in advance on or before the _____ day of every month.
c) Payments shall be made via MTN Mobile Money / Airtel Money to Number: __________________ in the name of __________________, or to Bank Account: __________________ at [Bank Name].
d) Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 2022, rent increases are capped at 10% per annum, and require at least 60 days' written notice.
4. SECURITY DEPOSIT
a) The Tenant shall pay a security deposit of UGX __________________ (equivalent to one month's rent) upon signing this agreement.
b) The deposit shall be refunded to the Tenant within 14 days after the expiry of the tenancy, minus any deductions for outstanding utility bills or damage to the premises beyond normal wear and tear.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPAIRS
a) The Landlord shall keep the structure, plumbing, and electrical installations of the premises in good repair and fit for human habitation.
b) The Tenant shall keep the interior of the premises clean, sanitary, and in good condition, and shall notify the Landlord of any repair issues immediately.
c) The Tenant shall pay all bills for water, electricity, waste disposal, and internet consumed on the premises during the term.
6. TERMINATION AND NOTICE
Either party may terminate this agreement by giving the other party ______ days' written notice (minimum 30 days for monthly tenancies under Section 38 of the Act).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have appended their signatures below:
SIGNED BY THE LANDLORD:
__________________________________
Date: ____________________________
In the presence of (Witness):
Name: ____________________________
Phone: ___________________________
Signature: _______________________
SIGNED BY THE TENANT:
__________________________________
Date: ____________________________
In the presence of (Witness):
Name: ____________________________
Phone: ___________________________
Signature: _______________________
Going Digital: Managing Leases and Agreements Efficiently
While paper tenancy agreements satisfy the letter of the law, managing multiple paper contracts, renewal dates, and manual payment records is a recipe for administrative stress.
That is where RentEase Uganda comes in. Our platform allows landlords to digitise the onboarding process:
- Digital Agreements: Store tenancy agreements in the cloud so they are accessible to both you and your tenants 24/7.
- Automated Renewals: Receive automatic alerts when a lease is about to expire, helping you manage rent reviews and tenant communications seamlessly.
- Tenant ID Verification: Verify national IDs and passports during onboarding to ensure you are renting to reliable, verified individuals.
Try RentEase Uganda free today and take your property management digital
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified advocate in Uganda.