Sick Leave

Income

Under the Employment Act 2006, a worker working at least sixteen hours a week is entitled to paid sick leave on completion of one month of service with the employer, upon production of a medical certificate from a qualified medical practitioner. The employer is responsible for any fees and transport costs payable in connection with the issuing of the certificate. When a worker is incapable of work because of sickness or injury, he/she is entitled to fully paid (100% of the monthly salary) sick leave for the first month of illness, and the worker and his/her family avails all other benefits mentioned in the employment contract. The employer is responsible for paying the worker's salary during the first month of sick leave. If the illness continues beyond two months, the employer may terminate the contract, provided all terms are met up to that point.

In order to avail sickness benefits, the worker must notify the employer about the reason for absence as early as possible and employer may request the worker to provide a certificate of incapacity to work and the duration of incapacity, signed by a qualified medical practitioner.

The law does not explicitly provide for paid sick leave at 45% of the reference wage for six months.

Source: §54 of the Employment Act 2006, last amended in 2023; ISSA Country Profile for Uganda

Medical Care

There is no provision for free medical care for general sickness of workers.

However, medical care/benefits are provided only in cases of work-related injuries or illnesses (available for insured workers). Medical benefits cover general medical care (including medical, surgical, and hospital treatment), skilled nursing services, dental care, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialist care, medication, hospitalization, and transportation.

Source: §1 of the Worker's Compensation Act 2000

Job Security

Under the Employment Act, an employer may not dismiss a worker during his/her first two months of sickness, or on account of pregnancy or disability.

However, if a worker's sickness continues after two months of sick leave, the employer is entitled to terminate the contract of the worker. Therefore, the law provides job security for up to two months during illness.

Source: §54(1b), 83 of the Employment Act 2006, last amended in 2023