Uganda’s commitment to enhancing the ease of doing business is yielding impressive results, with faster company registration and a streamlined process for entrepreneurs.
Rt. Hon. Ambassador Francis Butagira, Chairman of the Uganda Registration Services Board (URSB), highlighted these achievements while addressing the Business and Innovation Forum for commercial attachés in Uganda.
“Uganda is the best place for ease of doing business,” Ambassador Butagira declared, citing recent reforms that have made it simpler and quicker for businesses to formalize operations.
Speaking at the event, which was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ambassador Butagira noted that nearly all registration services are now available online.
He credited Justice Minister Hon. Norbert Mao for leading initiatives that showcase Uganda’s investment advantages.
Among the key improvements is a drastic reduction in processing times. Company registration, which previously took several days, now takes as little as three hours.
Business name registration can be completed within an hour.
A major innovation contributing to this efficiency is Uganda’s one-stop business center, which allows entrepreneurs to access multiple services—including those from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and financial institutions—all in a single location.
Additionally, Uganda’s insolvency framework has evolved to focus on business rescue rather than closure. “We can help put companies back on their feet instead of sending them to a mortuary,” Ambassador Butagira remarked.
The reforms are also boosting revenue generation. URSB, which operates as a semi-autonomous entity, has increased its revenue collection from UGX 300 million in 2011 to over UGX 80 billion today.
This, according to Ambassador Butagira, is a testament to the efficiency and effectiveness of the new systems.
With Uganda positioning itself as a hub for business and investment, these reforms are expected to further enhance the country’s attractiveness to both local and international entrepreneurs.
