How to Register a Business or Company in Uganda
Uganda Registration Services Bureau Portal Guide is an informational guide describing the procedures, registration structures, and statutory fees associated with business registration through the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)[1]. The guide covers business name registration, partnerships, company incorporation, and related registration services available through the Online Business Registration System (OBRS). The URSB Online Business Registration System enables individuals and organizations to conduct registration processes electronically, reducing the need for physical visits to government offices.[2]
Overview
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) is a government agency responsible for the registration of businesses, companies, legal documents, intellectual property rights, and civil status records in Uganda.
Through its Online Business Registration System (OBRS), users may:
- Reserve business, partnership, and company names.
- Register business entities.
- Incorporate companies.
- Conduct record searches.
- File statutory returns and notices.
- Obtain certified registration documents.
Name Reservation
Prior to registration, applicants are required to reserve a proposed name through the URSB portal. Name reservation helps ensure that no two entities are registered under identical or confusingly similar names.
The official reservation fees are:
- Business name reservation — UGX 35,000.
- Partnership name reservation — UGX 35,000.
- Company name reservation — UGX 35,000.
Approved reservations are generally valid for a limited period determined by URSB regulations.
Business Name Registration
A business name is commonly used by sole proprietors and small enterprises operating under a trading name.
Registration provides legal recognition of the business name but does not create a legal entity separate from the proprietor.
The registration fee for a business name is UGX 55,000.
Additional services include:
- Change of business particulars — UGX 35,000.
- Notice of cessation of business — UGX 35,000.
- Certified copy of registration certificate — UGX 35,000.
- Record search — UGX 35,000.
Business name registration is commonly used by traders, consultants, freelancers, and small business owners.
Partnership Registration
A partnership is a business arrangement in which two or more persons carry on business together and share profits, losses, and responsibilities.
The registration fee for a partnership is UGX 55,000.
Other partnership-related services include:
- Registration of retirement of a partner.
- Registration of dissolution of a partnership.
- Registration of variation of partnership terms.
- Registration of a limited liability partnership.
- Record searches and document certification.
Most partnership-related filings attract fees ranging between UGX 35,000 and UGX 55,000.
Company Registration
A company is a legal entity incorporated under the Companies Act and exists separately from its shareholders and directors.
Company registration fees include:
- Company with nominal share capital not exceeding UGX 5,000,000 — UGX 105,000.
- Company with nominal share capital exceeding UGX 5,000,000 — 1.5% of nominal share capital.
- Company limited by guarantee without share capital — UGX 105,000.
Companies are required to comply with additional statutory obligations, including annual return filings and notifications of changes in corporate structure.
Sole Proprietorship and Limited Liability Company
The two most common business structures in Uganda are the sole proprietorship and the limited liability company.
A sole proprietorship is owned and controlled by a single individual and is not legally distinct from its owner. Consequently, the proprietor bears unlimited liability for business debts and obligations.
A limited liability company is a separate legal entity. Shareholders generally have liability limited to the value of their investment in the company. This structure is commonly adopted by startups, investment ventures, and growth-oriented enterprises.
Registration Process
The general registration process consists of the following steps:
- Creation of a user account on the URSB Online Business Registration System.
- Reservation of a business, partnership, or company name.
- Completion of the prescribed registration forms.
- Submission of supporting documentation.
- Payment of statutory fees.
- Review and approval by the Registrar.
- Issuance of a registration certificate.
Registration Certificates
Upon successful registration, URSB issues official certificates confirming legal registration.
- Business names receive a Certificate of Registration.
- Partnerships receive a Certificate of Registration.
- Companies receive a Certificate of Incorporation.
These certificates may be required for opening bank accounts, obtaining licenses, entering contracts, and conducting formal business operations.
Contact Information
The headquarters of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau are located at:
Plot 1, Baskerville Avenue, Kololo, Kampala, Uganda
| Scope | Details |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Plot 1, Baskerville Avenue, Kololo, Kampala, Uganda |
| ursb@ursb.go.ug | |
| General Inquiries | +256 200 404 714 +256 326 338 014 |
| Call Centre | +256 200 404 700 +256 326 338 000 |
| +256 712 448 448 |
See Also
- Uganda Registration Services Bureau
- Business registration
- Sole proprietorship
- Partnership
- Limited liability company
- Small and medium-sized enterprises