Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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Uganda has approved the adoption of the National Identification Number (NIN) as the default Tax Identification Number (TIN) for citizens, replacing the traditional standalone tax registration process.
The Cabinet directive was confirmed by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Lumumba said the reform is intended to harmonise identity data, improve tax compliance and address weaknesses caused by separate identification systems operated by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
According to the minister, Uganda's existing tax registration system has relied on a separate and largely manual TIN process, resulting in outdated and inconsistent records that have affected data accuracy, compliance and service delivery.
The government expects linking the NIN directly to the tax system to create a single, verified identity for taxpayers, making it easier to identify and trace economically active citizens.
Lumumba said the reform will also help the government improve compliance and reduce revenue leakages while making it easier for citizens to register and communicate with tax authorities.
She added that the integrated system will give government greater visibility into worldwide income and strengthen the country's ability to plan and deliver public programmes.
The move comes as Uganda seeks to expand domestic revenue mobilisation amid a narrow tax base, a large informal economy and persistent tax non-compliance. Uganda's tax-to-GDP ratio remains below the average for Sub-Saharan Africa.
With the NIN becoming the common identity anchor for citizens, the government expects greater interoperability between tax records and other systems, including land registries, banking networks and business licensing authorities.
The reform is ultimately aimed at creating a more unified national data system while strengthening the government's capacity to collect taxes and reduce dependence on borrowing to finance the national budget.
Watch: Video by Uganda Media Center.
The government expects linking the NIN directly to the tax system to create a single, verified identity for taxpayers, making it easier to identify and trace economically active citizens.
Lumumba said the reform will also help the government improve compliance and reduce revenue leakages while making it easier for citizens to register and communicate with tax authorities.
She added that the integrated system will give government greater visibility into worldwide income and strengthen the country's ability to plan and deliver public programmes.
The move comes as Uganda seeks to expand domestic revenue mobilisation amid a narrow tax base, a large informal economy and persistent tax non-compliance. Uganda's tax-to-GDP ratio remains below the average for Sub-Saharan Africa.
With the NIN becoming the common identity anchor for citizens, the government expects greater interoperability between tax records and other systems, including land registries, banking networks and business licensing authorities.
The reform is ultimately aimed at creating a more unified national data system while strengthening the government's capacity to collect taxes and reduce dependence on borrowing to finance the national budget.
Watch: Video by Uganda Media Center.
