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This article provides information to guide you through the necessary steps and requirements for a name change. Image by Wayhomestudio on Freepik

There are many reasons why individuals may seek to change their name.  Marriage and divorce are among the most common reasons. In Uganda, it is possible to legally change your name, but it can be confusing if you don’t have the right information. If you are looking for information on how to change your name, this article will guide you through the necessary steps and required documents for the process.

  1. If you require a complete change of all names.
  2. If you are correcting an error in your name.
  3. Supporting documents needed and cost.
  4. Implications of a name change
  5. Contact UPPC

If you require a complete change of all names. You will need

  • A satisfactory reason for changing your name. This means that you must give a good reason for changing your names. An example is if the name you are changing is not the one that your parents gave to you when you were born.
  • Any one of the following documents to support the process:

a. Academic Documents

b. Birth certificate

c. Driving permit

d. Baptism card

e. Immunization card

The supporting documents will depend on your reason for changing your name.

  • A lawyer to draft a Deed Poll. The Deed Poll is a legally binding document, and it states the changes you wish to make. You will sign the Deed Poll and affirm its accuracy.
  • Your lawyer will register the Deed Poll with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) in the documents register for record-keeping.
  • After registration at URSB, your lawyer will Gazette the name change by delivering the registered document and proof of payment of the Gazette fee at any of the (Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation) UPPC offices.

To complete the process of changing your name, you will incur some costs and the amounts vary in different places you seek a service. You may incur a cost if you choose to have a professional to draft a deed poll and affidavits for you. When the documents are fully prepared, you will incur a cost of UGX. 50,000 to register at Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). Publishing an Ordinary Deed Poll in the Uganda Gazette will UGX. 345,000/=. It is therefore advisable for you to save some money to pay the costs that you will incur.

  • The Deed Poll will be placed in the National Gazette for 21 to 30 days to announce your intention to change your name.
  • If no one comes forward to contest your name change, you are free to assume the new name.  In case someone comes up to contest your change of name. The process of name change will be halted until the dispute is resolved.

To correct an error in your name

  • With the supporting documents (academic documents, birth certificate, driving permit, baptism card) visit the Magistrate's office at the district headquarters to issue you an Affidavit (Statutory Declaration Form) stating how your name is to be changed.
  • Present the signed Affidavit form to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to effect the changes in the system.
  • This process costs 100,000/=
  • A new Family Attestation Form will be issued immediately and a Refugee Identity card later.

What are the implications of name change?

After you change your name, you are free to use it when introducing yourself, transacting business and writing in your documents. It is a good idea to always have a copy of your deed poll to attach to some documents since your name may be captured differently in most of your records.

What happens to your ID, passports and academic documents?

In Uganda, some institutions may re-issue documents bearing your new names while some may offer an alternative or additional document. This should not be a big concern if you have a copy of your deed poll, it will clarify your name changes.

For passports and National ID’s, the procedure varies for different countries. You are therefore advised to visit your passport and ID issuing authority for guidance.

A) A sample of an Affidavit

Affidavit.jpg

Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) has offices in:

Entebbe

Plot 8-12, Airport Road

UPPC Kampala Office

Airways House, Ground Floor,

Plot 6 Kimathi Avenue,

Kampala

Northern Uganda

+256-774138552,

Plot 16, Bank Lane,

Market Square,

Gulu City, Uganda

Eastern Uganda

+256-752374253 / +256-772374253,

Plot 8, Nile Garden,

P.O. Box 1741 Jinja, Uganda

Western Uganda 

+256-702548687 / +256-782548687,

Plot 36, High Street,

P. O. Box 276 Mbarara, Uganda