The Government of Uganda is considering introducing a new system that will merge the Tax Identification Number (TIN), Business Registration Number (BRN), and National Identification Number (NIN) into a single unified identification number to improve efficiency and curb fraud.
Once implemented, the reform will simplify processes for individuals and businesses that currently require multiple identification numbers issued by different government institutions.
At present, a person starting a business must first obtain a NIN from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), then acquire a BRN from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), before finally applying for a TIN from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
According to URA Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, the proposed reform, spearheaded by URA in collaboration with NIRA and URSB, will significantly improve service delivery across government institutions.
“It represents a major shift toward efficiency, transparency, and convenience for citizens and businesses alike,” Kalumba said.
For years, Ugandans has had to deal with multiple identification numbers depending on the service they required. This often meant filling out different forms, visiting multiple offices, and repeatedly providing the same personal or business information.
Kalumba said the proposed unification will eliminate this fragmentation by creating one reliable number that links services provided by the different agencies.
“One of the major benefits of the reform is improved convenience. With a single identification number, citizens, entrepreneurs and business operators will no longer have to juggle several identification systems. Whether registering a business, filing taxes, or verifying identity for official transactions, the same number will be used across institutions,” Kalumba revealed.
The reform is also expected to boost enterprise growth, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of Uganda’s economy. Many small businesses reportedly remain informal partly due to the complicated registration procedures.
URA Officials say simplifying the process into a single registration system will encourage more enterprises to formalise their operations, giving them access to financial services, government programmes and wider market opportunities.
According to sources closer to the framers of this reform, the integration is believed to strengthen transparency and help fight fraud.
“By linking personal identity with tax and business records, it becomes more difficult for individuals to operate under multiple hidden identities to evade taxes or conduct fraudulent activities,” a source who preferred anonymity revealed.
The unified identification system is also expected to improve government planning and service delivery. With integrated data across agencies, policymakers are expected to have a clearer picture of economic activity, employment patterns and sector growth, enabling them to design more targeted support programmes for citizens and businesses.
For taxpayers, officials say the system will reduce the risk of being mistakenly flagged as non-compliant due to administrative gaps such as failure to register for tax purposes. Automatic tax registration linked to a single identification number will also simplify processes such as obtaining business licences, filing tax returns and conducting banking transactions that require identity verification.
Kalumba urged Ugandans to embrace the proposed system once it is rolled out, saying it promises more efficient services and a smoother interaction between citizens, businesses and government agencies.
“Although the change may appear small, adopting a single identification number could significantly transform how government services are delivered in Uganda while strengthening accountability and supporting national development,” Kalumba noted.
By Douglas Olum
