Registering a business in Uganda: what to prepare

Registration comes before opening a business bank account, getting a TIN, signing contracts and bidding for work. In Uganda, registration is handled by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), mostly through its online business registration system.

1. Decide on the structure

The structure you choose decides what you register and what you file later:

• Business name: for a sole trader or partnership trading under a name other than the owners’ own names.
• Private limited company: a separate legal entity owned by shareholders and run by directors. Owners’ personal liability is limited.

If you plan to bid for larger contracts or bring in partners, a company is usually the better fit. If you are testing an idea alone, a business name is simpler.

2. Search and reserve the name

Have two or three name options ready. The name must not be identical or too similar to one already registered. Once a name is available, it can be reserved while you prepare the rest.

3. Gather the details

For a company, expect to need:

• Full names, identification and contact details of each director and shareholder
• How the shares will be divided
• The company’s physical address
• The memorandum and articles of association

4. After URSB: the registrations people forget

A certificate from URSB does not mean you are ready to trade. Most businesses also need:

• A TIN from the Uganda Revenue Authority
• A trading licence from the local authority where you operate (in Kampala, KCCA)
• NSSF registration if you employ staff

Companies also file annual returns with URSB, and must notify it of changes such as new directors.

Fees and processing times change. Ask us for the current figures for your case before you budget.