Uganda Bans Civilian Possession of Pistols and Assault Rifles Under New Defense Law
June 16, 2025 – Kampala – President Yoweri Museveni has signed into law the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, 2025, introducing sweeping restrictions on civilian firearm ownership. The new legislation places pistols and various categories of military-grade weapons under the exclusive control of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
Under Section 83, the law introduces Schedule 7A, a list titled “Arms and Ammunition Which Are the Monopoly of the Defence Forces.” Weapons now banned for civilian ownership include:
- Pistols (previously available with civilian firearm licenses)
- Assault rifles: AK-47, M16, PKM, G3/SLR, Micro Galil
- Semi-automatic rifles
- Grenade launchers and automatic grenade launchers (35mm AGL)
- Mortars (60mm, 82mm), recoilless rifles, RPGs
- Anti-aircraft machine guns (12.7mm AAMG)
A Move to Combat Rising Gun Violenc
The legislation follows growing national concern over violent crime, including assassinations, contract killings, and armed robberies, often committed with concealable pistols and unregistered military-grade firearms.
Several high-profile murders involving government officials, security agents, and public figures have been traced back to illegally trafficked or stolen weapons. Authorities have pointed to cross-border smuggling, theft from army stores, and poor registration systems as key drivers of Uganda’s escalating gun crisis.
“This law aims to shut loopholes that allow small arms to fall into the wrong hands,” a government source stated.
Strengthening State Monopoly on Armed Power
The 2025 UPDF Amendment Act is part of a larger reform package that includes:https://ugandatimes.ug/2025/07/01/rwanda-non-lethal-weapons-regulations-2025/
- A restructured General Court Martial
- Expansion of the High Command
- New legal definitions for military service offences
- Enhanced welfare and pension systems for UPDF personnel
With this legislation, the Ugandan government reasserts a clear monopoly on force, limiting gun ownership to state-sanctioned entities and tightening controls to fight insecurity.https://observer.ug/news/
