Uganda unveils plan to use NIN as universal business ID

KAMPALA — The government is planning a major overhaul of Uganda’s business registration system that would allow a single identification number to be used across multiple state agencies, in a move aimed at reducing bureaucracy and improving efficiency.

Under the proposed reform, the National Identification Number (NIN), issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority, will double as both the Tax Identification Number (TIN) and the Business Registration Number (BRN).

Currently, entrepreneurs must obtain separate identification numbers from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau and the Uganda Revenue Authority, a process many say is time-consuming and discourages formal business registration.

Officials say the reform will streamline these processes by creating a unified system in which a single number can be used to verify identity, register businesses, and meet tax obligations.

Robert Kalumba, assistant commissioner for public and corporate affairs at URA, described the shift as a significant step toward modernising public service delivery.

“It represents a major shift toward efficiency, transparency, and convenience for citizens and businesses alike,” he said.

Simplifying business processes

Uganda’s current system operates through separate databases, with the NIN confirming identity, the TIN used for tax purposes, and the BRN identifying registered businesses. This fragmentation often forces entrepreneurs to navigate multiple procedures for related services.

The proposed integration would link these systems, allowing government agencies to access and verify information through a single platform.

Kalumba said the change would significantly reduce the time and effort required to complete administrative processes.

“With a single identification number, citizens and business operators will no longer have to juggle multiple systems. The same number will be used whether registering a business, filing taxes, or verifying identity,” he said.

Expanding the tax base

The reform comes as Uganda continues to expand its taxpayer register. According to URA data, the number of registered taxpayers rose to more than 4.52 million by June 2024, up from 3.5 million the previous year.

At the same time, business registrations remain strong. Data from URSB shows that 28,408 new companies and 21,695 business names were registered in the year ending June 2025.

Despite this growth, many small businesses remain informal, often due to the complexity of registration requirements.

Government officials believe that simplifying the process will encourage more enterprises to formalise, giving them access to credit, government programmes, and wider market opportunities.

Improving accountability

Beyond convenience, the unified identification system is expected to strengthen accountability by reducing opportunities for tax evasion and fraud linked to multiple identities.

It will also provide government agencies with better data on economic activity, improving planning and policy decisions.

Kalumba said the reform is part of a broader effort to modernise how citizens interact with government institutions.

“Although the change may appear small, adopting a single identification number could transform service delivery, strengthen accountability, and support national development,” he said.