Business Registration In Uganda
Registering your business establishes it as a legal entity, which offers the following benefits: you have limited personal liability, you may receive certain tax benefits, it is easier to receive loans and capital, and you create a brand that can build a professional relationship with customers. Your main legal duty is to register as a self-employed person with Revenue (see the section on ‘Tax and PRSI’ below). If you want to use a business name, you must register your business name with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
A Business name is a registration of a trade name for purposes of business whereas a Company of the incorporation of a separate legal entity to conduct business. Registered businesses should not be operating without having an up-to-date Business Permit or else they will face potential sanctions including fines, penalties and business closure.
Steps For Business Registration In Uganda
Search for the business name.
Reserve the Business Name.
Obtain Certificate of Incorporation.
Obtain an Investment License.
Obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
Obtain a Trading License.
Register with National Social Security Fund (NSSF)
Make a Company Seal.
Benefits Of Registering A Business In Uganda
Obtain legal Identity/status
Safeguard your business name by acquiring a trade name.
Access opportunities like loans, tenders, financing etc.
Business formalization creates more employment opportunities through business expansion.
Enables registration for licenses e.g Investment, trading and taxation licenses.
Better marketing and advertising opportunities for increased clientele
Improved competitiveness in the regional market
Benefits Of Registering A Document For Your Business
Registered documents are admissible in the court of law since they have evidential value in the eyes of the law. This means that un-registered documents are not readily acceptable and admissible in a court of law.
Registered documents safeguard the interest of a buyer since they take effect against every un-registered documents relating to the same property. In other words, the registration of documents preserves the title of the buyer.
Registering your document puts it on the government record which renders credibility to the document and makes it a notice to the public at large in respect to the subject matter of the document.
Obtain legal Identity/status
Safeguard your business name by acquiring a trade name.
Access opportunities like loans, tenders, financing etc.
Business formalization creates more employment opportunities through business expansion.
Enables registration for licenses e.g Investment, trading and taxation licenses.
Better marketing and advertising opportunities for increased clientele
Improved competitiveness in the regional market
Certification Of Documents For Your Business
To have a document certified:
Present copies of the document to be certified;
Pay the certification fees; and
Hand in the documents and payment receipt at the Business Registry.
Business Registration Forms Fees
| Details | Costs (Ugx. & US$) |
|---|---|
| Registration fees of nominal capital of 1M-5M | UGX 50,000 |
| Registration fees of nominal capital exceeding 5M | 1% of Share Capital |
| Stamp duty | 0.5% of share capital on new companies with share capital above 5M |
| Registration of certified copy of memorandum or equivalent | UGX 945204.25 |
Office Location For Business Registration In Uganda
UGANDA REGISTRATION SERVICES BUREAU
Address
Uganda Registration Services Bureau,
Uganda Business Facilitation Centre Plot 1 Baskerville Avenue, Kololo
Phone
Toll Free: 0800 100 006
Call Center: +256 417 338 100
Phone: +256 414 233 219 / 0417338000
Whistle Blower Hotline: 0414673200