GULU, May 22, 2026 — Stakeholders in the Acholi and Lango sub-regions have welcomed an initiative by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau [ URSB ] to establish a Non-Individual Register [NIR].
In 2025, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development [MOFPED], amended the Tax Procedures Code Act, providing for the issuance of an Entity Registration Number [ERN] by URSB after admission onto the Non-Individual Register.
Section 4 [4] of the Tax Procedures Code Act provides that local governments, government institutions or regulatory bodies shall not issue licences or any form of authorisation necessary for any activity where an entity does not have an NIR.
URSB is currently establishing a centralised register for all non-individual entities such as companies, partnerships, cooperatives, non-governmental organisations [NGOs], trade unions and collective investment groups.
Alex Anganya, the Deputy Registrar General at URSB, said the establishment of the NIR is a significant step towards streamlining how entities are identified, regulated and supported.
Anganya, who was addressing stakeholders from the Acholi and Lango sub-regions at Bomah Hotel in Gulu City on Thursday, said a unique ERN would be used to identify entities across all government platforms.
“As our mandate continues to evolve, we are committed to strengthening systems that enhance transparency, efficiency and coordination across government and the private sector. It is in this context that we introduced the Non-Individual Register, a significant step towards streamlining how entities are registered and identified in Uganda,” said Anganya.
He added: “For the first time, we shall have a unified register for all non-individual entities. For a long time, entities have been registered across multiple agencies, resulting in fragmented data, duplication and inefficiencies.
“The NIR addresses these challenges by creating a unified system that enhances coordination, improves compliance and simplifies access to services. It also supports government planning and policy implementation.”
Anganya told stakeholders, including chief administrative officers, commercial officers, community development officers, members of civil society and private sector players from local governments across Lango and Acholi — that formally registered entities would gain access to more opportunities such as financing, government services, contracts and markets.
Charlotte Mudoola, the Principal Registration Officer at URSB, explained that any entity transacting in its own capacity qualifies to register under the Non-Individual Register.
“Each entity will be issued with a unique identification number which they will use to transact with any MDAs [ministries, departments and agencies]. All MDAs are integrated into the system,” said Mudoola.
She urged local governments to work closely with the registration services body to ensure the initiative, which takes effect in June, succeeds.
“At the moment, the regulations are already in place, pending signature and gazetting for purposes of implementing this register,” Mudoola said.
“Local governments register Community Based Organisations [CBOs]. You will be entering all information and applications regarding a CBO into the system. Once it comes to our system, we shall issue an ERN number, after which you complete the registration of the CBO. We shall work together and you will have access to that system,” she added.
Mudoola said URSB’s intention is to strengthen and harmonise the registration process for entities.
“We want to harmonise information. We noticed that URSB can have information regarding an entity that differs from records elsewhere. Someone can register as a CBO at district level, then proceed to URSB and register again as a company limited by guarantee, before going to the NGO Bureau to obtain a licence,” she said.
Sarah Anene of the Chamber of Commerce in Lira City welcomed the initiative, saying it would address many challenges affecting business operations.
“This has been a very big challenge for us at the Chamber of Commerce. We are a bridge between businesses and stakeholders. Different stakeholders approach us seeking specific information about businesses — for example, women-led businesses, youth-led businesses and SMEs — but we have not had that data,” Anene said.
She noted that the Chamber had recently started profiling businesses.
“I do not want us to go back and struggle with business profiling. I leave this at your table and ask you to partner with us so that we do not duplicate efforts. Let us find a way of sharing this information,” she added.
Geoffrey Akena, the Nwoya District Community Development Officer, appreciated URSB’s efforts to harmonise the registration process across the country.
However, he questioned what would happen to groups already undergoing registration at district level.
“What will happen to the groups and individuals already registered at the district level? We have a huge database. How do you plan to integrate this information? We also have certificates that will remain valid for many years,” Akena asked.
Alfred Ocen, the Gulu District Commercial Officer, asked whether Parish Development Model [PDM] groups would also receive unique numbers during registration.
“We have thousands of groups under PDM. They were registered at sub-county level and they are doing business with government,” Ocen said.
He added that the unique identifier number would simplify doing business.
“We are entering a regime where you cannot hide anymore. People have been hiding under smaller groups, but now all of us are being identified through the unique identifier and we must comply. Let us learn to do things legally,” Ocen noted.
According to Mudoola, entities already registered by URSB will be maintained and transitioned into the new system.
“The already existing entities do not have to go through the registration process again. As long as the information has been submitted to us, it will automatically be uploaded,” she said.
https://thecooperator.news/umra-ursb-summon-money-lenders-for-crucial-meeting-in-kampala/
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