Africa-Press – Uganda. The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in taxpayer registration processes, responding to recent concerns over Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) issuance by describing reported lapses as isolated incidents rather than evidence of systemic failure.
The tax body, which currently maintains a register of approximately 4.8 million taxpayers, is undertaking an aggressive expansion drive aimed at aligning with annual revenue targets set by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
This expansion seeks to incorporate more Ugandans in gainful employment into the tax net and ensure broader, equitable national revenue mobilisation.
In light of recent media reports raising questions over the robustness of TIN registration procedures, URA officials have reiterated that the institution maintains a layered, legally backed verification system to ensure only eligible and compliant individuals and businesses are registered.
“The process of acquiring a TIN involves multiple layers of verification,” an official from the Domestic Taxes Department stated. “This includes cross-checking legal status with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), identity verification with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), and, where necessary, physical inspection of the business premises.”
URA acknowledged that challenges may occasionally arise—particularly in cases involving informal business transfers, undocumented ownership changes, or dormant entities—but insisted these do not amount to a breakdown in tax administration systems. Rather, such cases underscore the need for continuous improvement, stronger inter-agency collaboration, and sustained public education on registration obligations.
A recent case involving Parash Mani Hardware Limited drew public attention after questions emerged over its ownership and compliance status following an informal change of hands that had not been formally registered. URA officials say such situations are precisely why the Authority conducts rigorous follow-ups and targeted compliance audits.
“Where gaps are discovered—whether in documentation or procedural compliance—we treat them seriously,” the official added. “But we must also recognise that business owners have a legal responsibility to keep their records up-to-date with both URSB and URA.”
The Tax Investigations Department further stressed the importance of securing the TIN system from fraudulent or incomplete registrations. Through the use of data analytics, third-party verifications, and on-ground audits, the Authority actively flags anomalies and enforces necessary corrective action.
In addition, URA has boosted its internal monitoring systems and invested in capacity-building for staff to ensure that every stage of taxpayer registration and amendment strictly adheres to existing laws and professional protocols.
“We are committed to continuous improvement,” a senior official noted. “But it is also crucial that the public and other stakeholders appreciate the complexity of managing a national tax register of this scale. Our teams are working diligently to ensure every registered taxpayer is verified and traceable, to prevent revenue leakages.”
URA is also encouraging businesses to work cooperatively with tax officers, submit accurate information, and promptly report irregularities encountered during registration processes. While reiterating its openness to public scrutiny, the Authority warned against generalising isolated cases as reflective of institutional shortcomings.
“Uganda’s revenue targets can only be achieved through mutual trust, compliance, and transparency,” URA said in a written statement. “The URA remains committed to upholding these values as we work toward building a fair and efficient tax system.”
As part of its broader reforms, URA is expanding taxpayer education, intensifying collaboration with URSB, NIRA, and local governments to close administrative loopholes and improve service delivery across the board.
The Authority has assured the public that it will spare no effort in protecting the integrity of its tax systems and the credibility of its data, as Uganda continues modernising its tax infrastructure and advancing voluntary compliance.
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