Manufacturing is the process of turning raw materials or parts into finished goods through the use of tools, human labour, machinery, and chemical processing.
Manufacturing is the process of turning raw materials or parts into finished goods through the use of tools, human labour, machinery, and chemical processing.
Uganda’s manufacturing sector is dominated by Agro-processing, food and beverages, households’ products, construction materials and fast-moving consumer goods, cottage industries, etc.
Players in the manufacturing sector in Uganda are required to be registered with;
Please note:
Upon registration, manufacturing companies may be required to comply with the requirements of statutory bodies, like;
For individual
For non-individual
Click here for details on requirements for registration
You’re required to visit the URA portal on ura.go.ug
As a taxpayer, you’re entitled to rights. However, there are obligations that you must fulfil.
This is imposed on manufacturers whose annual turnover exceeds UGX 10 million and below UGX 150 million.
Schedule for the computation of “presumptive” income tax for small businesses
Gross turnover per annum |
With records |
Without records |
Not exceeding UGX 10 million |
NIL |
NIL |
Exceeding UGX 10 million but does not exceed UGX 30 million |
0.4% of annual turnover in excess of 10 million |
UGX 80,000 |
Exceeding UGX 30 million but does not exceed UGX 50 million |
UGX 80,000 plus 0.5% of annual turnover in excess of UGX 30 million |
UGX 200,000 |
Exceeding UGX 50 million but does not exceed UGX 80 million |
UGX 180,000 plus 0.6% of annual turnover in excess of UGX 50 million |
UGX 400,000 |
Non- individual income tax
The income tax rate for a company is 30% of the entity’s chargeable income (gross income less allowable deductions).
Individual income tax
The income tax rate for individuals depends on the income bracket in which the individual falls.
Rate of tax for Resident individuals
ANNUAL CHARGEABLE INCOME (CY) IN UGX |
RATE OF TAX |
0 to 2,820,000 |
Nil |
2,820,000 to 4,020,000 |
(CY – 2,820,000UGX) x 10% |
4,020,000 to 4,920,000 |
(CY – 4,020,000UGX) x 20% + 120,000UGX |
4,920,000 to 120,000,000 |
(CY – 4,920,000UGX) x 30% + 300,000UGX |
Above 120,000,000 |
[(CY – 4,920,000UGX) x 30% + 300,000UGX] + [(CY – 120,000,000UGX) x 10%] |
ANNUAL CHARGEABLE INCOME (CY) IN UGX |
RATE OF TAX |
0 to 4,020,000 |
CY x 10% |
4,020,000 to 4,920,000 |
(CY – 4,020,000UGX) x 20% + 402,000UGX |
4,920,000 to 120,000,000 |
(CY – 4,920,000UGX) x 30% + 582,000UGX |
Above 120,000,000 |
[(CY – 4,920,000UGX) x 30% + 582,000UGX] +[(CY – 120,000,000UGX) x 10%] |
Value Added Tax (VAT)
VAT is a consumption tax charged at a rate of 18% on all supplies made by taxable persons i.e. persons registered or required to register for VAT purposes. The threshold for VAT registration is an annual turnover of over 150 million, or 37.5 million in the first 3 consecutive months.
Click here to register for VAT
Please note
All VAT registered taxpayers are obliged to register for EFRIS and issue e-invoices
Click here for information on how to register for EFRIS
LOCAL EXCISE DUTY
This is a tax that is imposed on specified imported or locally manufactured goods, and services.
Click here for the applicable excise duty rates
WITHHOLDING TAX
Withholding tax (WHT) is income tax that is withheld at source by one person (withholding agent) upon making payment to another person (payee).
Please note
The tax withheld is credited/ reduced on the tax payable in the final income tax return.
Click here for information on Withholding tax.
Pay As You Earn (PAYE)
Any person dealing in transport business, and has workers earning a monthly salary more than 235,000 per month is required to register for Pay as You Earn (PAYE), withhold and remit tax to URA.
Click here for the PAYE rates
Click here for information on how to file your returns.
After filing a return, you’re required to pay the resultant tax using any of the available payment platforms e.g. banks, mobile money, EFT, RTGS, VISA, Mastercard, USSD code (*285#) etc.
Please note: the due date for payment of tax is the same as that of return filing.
Yes. There are incentives available for manufacturers and they include:
Tax incentives under Domestic Taxes
Excise Duty |
|
Type of Incentive |
Conditions for granting exemption |
Nil excise duty on construction materials of a manufacturer, (excluding a manufacturer dealing in agro processing, food processing, medical appliances, building materials, light industry, automobile manufacturing and assembly, household appliances, furniture, logistics and warehousing, information technology, or commercial farming) |
Must invest a minimum of USD 50m or, in the case of any other manufacturer, who makes an additional investment equivalent to USD 50m |
Nil duty on construction materials of a factory or warehouse exclusive of those available on the local market, locally produced raw materials and inputs. Operator within the industrial park, free zone or other business outside the industrial park or free zone who invests in processing agricultural goods; manufactures or assembles medical appliances, medical sundries or pharmaceuticals, building materials, automobiles, household appliances or manufactures furniture, pulp, paper, printing and publishing of instructional materials. |
Must invest a minimum of USD 10m for foreign investors and USD 300,000 for EAC citizens or USD 150,000 where the investment is made upcountry. Incentive takes effect from the date of commencement of the specified business, same incentives apply to an existing operator in an Industrial Park or Free Zone. The investor must use at least 70% of locally sourced raw materials and employ at least 70% EAC citizens who must take up at least 70% of the wage bill. |
Duty remission Excise duty will be remitted on plastic products manufactured for use in packaging of products for export, use in packaging medicaments and is manufactured from recycled plastic |
Manufacturers of specified goods |
Nil excise duty on construction materials of a manufacturer, whose investment capital is, at least 50 million US Dollars or, in the case of any other manufacturer, who makes an additional investment equivalent to 50 million US Dollars |
Excludes a manufacturer dealing in agro processing, food processing, medical appliances, building materials, light industry, automobile manufacturing and assembly, household appliances, furniture, logistics and warehousing, information technology, or commercial farming. |
STAMP DUTY |
|
Type of incentive |
Conditions for granting exemption |
No stamp duty on execution of the following documents; i) debenture; whether a mortgage debenture or not, being of a marketable security – of total value; ii) further charge; any instrument imposing a further charge on a mortgaged property –of total value; |
a) In case of a new manufacturer, who is subject to availability, has capacity to use at least 70% of the locally produced raw materials, and employs at least 70% citizens with an aggregate wage bill of the new manufacturer and whose investment capital is at least 50 million US Dollars |
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iii) lease of land – of total value; iv) increase of share capital; v) transfer of land; vi) an agreement to provide services on conducting a feasibility study or developing a design for construction.”;
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b) In case of an existing manufacturer who subject to availability has capacity to use at least 70% of the locally produced raw materials, and employs at least 70% citizens with an aggregate wage bill of the existing manufacturer from the date on which the manufacturer makes an additional investment equivalent of 35 million US Dollars |
NIL stamp duty on an agreement relating to the deposit of title-deeds, pawn pledge- of the total value. |
Beneficiary: Loan applicants |
NIL stamp duty on security bond or mortgage deed executed by way of security for the due execution of an office, or to account for money or other property received by virtue of security bond or mortgage deed executed by a surety to secure a loan or credit facility-of entry value. |
Beneficiary: Loan applicants |
VAT |
|
Type of incentive |
Conditions for granting exemption |
Exporters |
Zero rated |
Nil VAT on the supply of feasibility study and design services and on the supply of locally produced raw materials and inputs. |
Investment in processing agricultural products; manufacturing or assembling medical appliances, medical sundries or pharmaceuticals, building materials, automobiles and house hold appliances; manufacturing furniture, pulp, paper, printing and publishing of instructional materials; establishing or operating vocational or technical institutes; or carrying on |
|
business in logistics and warehousing, information technology or commercial farming. Must invest a minimum of USD 10m for foreign investors and USD 300,000 for EAC citizens or USD 150,000 where the investment is made upcountry. Incentive takes effect from the date of commencement of the specified business, same incentives applies to an existing operator in an Industrial Park or Free Zone. The investor must use at least 70% of locally sourced raw materials and employ at least 70% EAC citizens who must take up at least 70% of the wage bill. |
VAT registered persons claim all the VAT incurred. |
Turnover of UGX 150m in any 12-month period for first time registration, ability to keep proper books of accounts and making taxable supplies. |
Nil VAT on the supply of liquefied gas and denatured fuel ethanol from cassava |
|
Nil VAT on the supply of services to a manufacturer other than [a manufacturer who engages in supply of locally produced materials for construction of a factory or warehouse and the supply of locally produced raw materials and inputs or machinery and equipment to an operator within an industrial park, free zone or an operator within a single factory or other business outside the industrial park or free zone]. |
The investment capital of this manufacturer should be at least USD 30 million for a foreign investor or USD 5 million for a local investor, to conduct a feasibility study or to undertake design and construction, or in the case of any other manufacturer from the date on which the manufacturer makes an additional investment equivalent to USD 30 million for a foreign investor or USD 5 million for a local investor; • who has capacity to use at least 70 percent of the raw materials that are locally sourced, subject to their availability, and • Who has capacity to employ at least 70 percent of the employees that are citizens earning an aggregate wage of at least 70 percent of the total wage Bill. |
Deemed VAT: Tax payable on a taxable supply made by a supplier to a contractor executing an aid-funded project is deemed to have been paid by the contractor provided the supply is for use by the contractor solely and exclusively for the aid funded project. |
Contractors executing aid-funded projects
|
The supply of drugs, medicines and medical sundries manufactured in Uganda are zero rated |
Manufactured in Uganda |
Cash basis accounting for VAT on supplies made to government |
VAT registered suppliers |
Zero rating the supply of menstrual cups and inputs for their manufacture |
Suppliers and manufacturers of menstrual cups |
INCOME TAX |
|
Type of incentive |
Conditions for granting exemption |
6% WHT exemption on payment for goods and services and professional fees |
12 months renewable Where the Commissioner is satisfied that the taxpayer has regularly complied with the obligations under the tax laws |
Cost of constructing an approved Industrial Building |
A person who incurs expenditure in constructing a building to be used as a factory/ manufacturing premise, and is being used in generating income, is allowed a deduction in his return (Industrial Building Deduction) at a rate of 5% per year for a period of 20 years from the time he starts using the building. |
Recognition of losses
|
If for any year of income, the total business income earned by a taxpayer is less than the total expenses relating to the generation of the business income, the excess (loss) shall be carried forward and allowed as a loss in the following year. Note that it must be declared and proved by URA in the current year of income as a loss. |
Wear and Tear |
Wear and Tear allowance is granted for assets and equipment’s owned by the entity and registered in the business names. The rates are as provided for in the Income Tax Act. |
Allowable deduction of purchase expense from a supplier designated to use e-invoicing system |
Allowable deduction of purchase expense from a supplier designated to use e-invoicing system. These suppliers will be gazetted and these expenses should be supported by e-invoices or e-receipts. |
100% deduction of Scientific research expenditure |
A person who incurs expenditure for scientific research |
100% deduction of training expenditure |
Employers who train permanent residents or provide tertiary education not exceeding in the aggregate 5 years |
10-year Exemption of income derived from renting out or leasing facilities established in an industrial park or free zone. |
Must invest a minimum of USD 50m for foreign investors or USD 10m for EAC citizens, Incentive takes effect from the date of commencement of construction. Also applies to an existing investor making an additional investment of the same value. |
10-year Exemption of Income derived by a person from undertaking any of the listed business activities in the Industrial Park or Free Zone. |
Operator in an Industrial Park or Free Zone who invests in processing agricultural products; manufacturing or assembling medical appliances, medical sundries or pharmaceuticals, building materials, automobiles and house hold appliances; manufacturing furniture, pulp, paper, printing and publishing of instructional materials; manufacture of tyres, footware, mattresses or tooth paste. Must invest a minimum of USD 10m for foreign investors and USD 300,000 for |
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EAC citizens or USD 150,000 where the investment is made upcountry. Incentive takes effect from the date of commencement of the specified business, same incentives applies to an existing operator in an Industrial Park or Free Zone. The investor must use at least 70% of locally sourced raw materials and employ at least 70% EAC citizens who must take up at least 70% of the wage bill. |
10-year exemption of Income derived by a person from undertaking any of the specified business activities outside an industrial park or free zone. |
Investor outside an industrial park or free zone carrying out activities listed above Must invest a minimum of USD 10m for foreign investors and USD 300,000 for EAC citizens or USD 150,000 where the investment is made upcountry. Incentive takes effect from the date of commencement of the specified business, same incentives applies to an existing operator in an Industrial Park or Free Zone. The investor must use at least 70% of locally sourced raw materials and employ at least 70% EAC citizens who must take up at least 70% of the wage bill. |
Exemption of Income derived by a person from undertaking the agro – processing. |
One Year. May be renewed annually Investor must use plant and machinery that has not previously been used in Uganda, apply for and be issued with a certificate of exemption from URA and must be tax compliant. |
Exemption of Income derived from the exportation of finished consumer and capital goods |
10 years. Exemption valid from the beginning of the investment. Investor must export at least 80% of production. Investor must apply for and be issued with a certificate of exemption. |
Double Taxation Agreements (DTA): Investors from countries with active DTA’s with Uganda i.e. United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, South Africa, India, Italy, Netherlands and Mauritius. Withholding tax rates applicable to dividends, interests, management fees and royalties are 10% except UK at 15% |
Beneficial owner of investment as defined in the Income Tax Act established with economic substance in a country with which Uganda has a DTA. |
Deduction of 2% Income tax for employers that employ PWDs |
5% of employees must be PWDs |