URSB Streamlines Business Registration Process
World Business Journal talks to Mercy K. Kainobwisho, the Registrar General of URSB, about how digitization has reduced the time taken for business registration from 14 days to just 4 to 6 hours, along with measures aimed at safeguarding intellectual property rights and strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem.
What is the process for registering a business in Uganda?
Five years ago, registering a business required around 14 working days or more. Through our digitisation and automation reforms, this process can now be completed in just 2 hours for legal document registrations and 4 to 6 hours for new registrations.
To register a business, you need to create an account, check name availability, and reserve your name. After that, submit the required documents and payments electronically, including forms for appointing a director and a secretary. Once submitted, you will receive a registration certificate and a tracking number to monitor your progress.
Plans are underway to launch an app and allow business registration through banks and local governments, simplifying the process even more.
What common misconceptions do local and foreign investors have about the business registration process?
Misconceptions prevent many local enterprises from registering. To tackle this, we established one-stop centres across the country in partnership with the Kampala Capital City Authority, the Ministry of Local Government, and URA. These centres play a crucial role in educating businesses about the numerous benefits of formal registration and the significant impact it can have on their growth.
Foreign investors often mistakenly believe that a local partner is necessary for registration, when in fact, anyone can register a company independently.
What is the current state of IP registration, and how are you raising awareness among innovators?
We have been a member of WIPO since 1973 and ARIPO since 1978, actively participating in treaties to protect intellectual property at various levels. We operate 37 IP technology innovation support centres nationwide and initiatives like “UGYouth4IP,” educate secondary school students on intellectual property, helping them safeguard their creative works and enhance the innovation ecosystem.
The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2025 aims to update intellectual property laws to bolster protections for creators and innovators in the digital landscape.
NDPIV seeks to advance a knowledge-based economy by promoting and strengthening intellectual property (IP) growth, which is essential for fostering innovation, protecting creators’ rights, and driving socio-economic advancement.
By implementing robust IP policies and ensuring enforcement mechanisms, the plan seeks to stimulate research and development, attract foreign investment, and encourage the commercialisation of new technologies. This approach will not only support creators and inventors but also play a pivotal role in elevating national competitiveness in the global market.
