By Damalie Tibugwisa
On 20th May 2025, the Administrator General issued a formal clarification that addresses growing public concern about the expiry of Letters of Administration and Probate. This clarification comes in response to the misinformation circulating in mainstream and social media claiming that people are at risk of losing property upon expiry of these grants.
Let me break down what this actually means—and why it represents progress in our estate administration laws.
Historically, administrators and executors would hold Letters of Administration or Probate in perpetuity. Without a statutory time limit, many neglected their fiduciary duty to distribute estates promptly. Some abused their power, withholding property and denying beneficiaries their lawful entitlements for years—sometimes even decades.
The Succession (Amendment) Act, 2022, which came into force on 31st May 2022, changed this narrative. It introduced a mandatory expiration timeline for Letters of Administration and Probate:
Grants issued before 31st May 2022 will expire on 31st May 2025 (for private individuals) or 31st May 2027 (if granted to the Administrator General).
Grants issued after 31st May 2022 expire two years from the date of issuance.
Exemptions exist for guardians of minors or recipients of pensions.
These changes were designed to safeguard beneficiaries and ensure accountability. Executors and administrators are now legally compelled to conclude their duties within a set timeframe. They must also file inventories and full accounts of the estate, making it easier to trace, protect, and distribute the deceased’s property.
No, You Will Not Lose Your Property
The Administrator General’s letter makes one thing clear: expiry of Letters of Administration does not result in loss of property. Rather, it restricts your authority to act as an administrator or executor beyond the stated period. If more time is needed, one simply applies to Court for an extension, stating reasonable grounds. The Court may then grant an extension for a further reasonable period.
As a legal practitioner deeply invested in reforming Uganda’s estate planning and administration culture, I welcome this clarity. It is not only a legal shift—it is a mindset shift.
It is a move from ownership in perpetuity to stewardship with accountability.
If you currently hold Letters of Administration or Probate, I urge you to review the date of your grant and take appropriate action. And if you are a beneficiary waiting on distribution, you now have legal timelines that support your expectations.
This is how we protect generational wealth, promote transparency, and ensure justice in the administration of estates.
The author is the Founder and Managing Partner, TARA Advocates
Text adopted from LinkedIn
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