Museveni assents to 9 key trade, tax Bills

President Yoweri Museveni has signed into law nine critical bills passed by Parliament, marking a significant step in the government’s efforts to implement the 2025/26 national budget and streamline tax administration.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), President Museveni confirmed assenting to a series of amendment bills and appropriations aimed at strengthening Uganda’s revenue collection, trade policy, and public expenditure.

“Today, I have signed the following bills into law: THE VALUE ADDED TAX (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2025; THE STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2025; THE EXCISE DUTY (AMENDMENT) (No.2) ACT, 2025; THE TAX PROCEDURES CODE (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2025; THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION ACT, 2025; THE HIDES AND SKINS (EXPORT DUTY); THE INCOME TAX (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) ACT, 2025; THE EXTERNAL TRADE (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2025; THE APPROPRIATION ACT, 2025,” the President said.

The laws include major amendments to key tax legislation:

• The VAT, Excise, Stamp Duty and Income Tax amendments provide for adjustments in tax rates, exemptions, and compliance mechanisms to boost domestic revenue mobilisation.
• The Tax Procedures Code (Amendment) aims to simplify enforcement and administration of tax laws under the Uganda Revenue Authority.
• The Appropriation Act, 2025 and Supplementary Appropriation Act provide the legal framework for government spending for the financial year, including additional allocations beyond the original budget.
• The External Trade (Amendment) Act and Hides and Skins (Export Duty) law are part of efforts to regulate trade in sensitive goods and improve the competitiveness of Ugandan exports.

The signings come just weeks after Parliament passed the 2025/26 national budget amounting to UGX 72 trillion, with a strong emphasis on domestic revenue, infrastructure, security, and industrialisation. Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has been tasked with collecting at least UGX 32 trillion to finance the budget.

Analysts say the new laws signal government’s shift towards tightening tax administration, curbing revenue leakages, and controlling spending through legal channels.

The Ministry of Finance is expected to issue guidelines on how the amended laws will be implemented, particularly in regard to tax thresholds, penalties, and exemptions.