Uganda: Whether the Ministry of Health is the government authority responsible for issuing death certificates; whether there are any circumstances under which the Ministry of Health would issue a death certificate, including the frequency of such circumstances
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 20 January 2004 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | UGA42128.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Uganda: Whether the Ministry of Health is the government authority responsible for issuing death certificates; whether there are any circumstances under which the Ministry of Health would issue a death certificate, including the frequency of such circumstances , 20 January 2004, UGA42128.E , available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/403dd220c.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Department of the Registrar General of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs is the government authority responsible for the official registration of deaths in Uganda (Uganda n.d.a). According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, registration of deaths is compulsory for all citizens and foreign nationals in Uganda (26 Mar. 2003).
The application procedure for the issuance of a death certificate, under The Births and Deaths Registration Act, 28 of 1970 (Uganda n.d.b), requires that those filing an application for a death certificate must complete a form, which indicates the names of the deceased, the date of death and the cause of death (ibid. n.d.c). The form must be signed by the applicant to certify that the information provided is correct and must be stamped by the hospital administrator (ibid. n.d.b). Further, confirmation from the place of death must be provided (i.e., by the hospital from its records) and a fee prescribed by the registrar general must be paid for the certificate to be issued (ibid. n.d.c).
Information on whether there are any circumstances under which the Ministry of Health would issue a death certificate could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
The Republic of Uganda. n.d.a. Ministry of Justice and Constiutional Affairs. "Registrar General."
_____. n.d.b. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. "Frequently Asked Questions: Procedure for Birth Certificate/Death Certificate."
_____. n.d.c. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. "Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages."
U.S. Department of State. 26 March 2003. The Bureau of Consular Affairs. "Uganda: Reciprocity Schedule."
Additional Sources Consulted
The Uganda High Commission, in Ottawa, while willing to provide assistance, could not respond within time constraints without first obtaining information from the relevant government authority in Uganda.
Unsuccessful attempts to contact the Department of the Registrar General of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, in Kampala.
Unsuccessful attempts to contact the Ministry of Health, in Kampala.
Internet sites, including:
The Republic of Uganda, The Ministry of Health
Uganda High Commission, in Ottawa
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