Doing Business · Competitiveness Indicators

Uganda’s Business Competitiveness at a Glance

Key indicators shaping the cost, speed and ease of doing business in Uganda: nine parameters, the standard each is held to, and the government agencies responsible for delivering it.

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Ugandan entrepreneurs registering a business online with URSB, with a certificate of incorporation marked registration complete.

Business Registration

Time to register: 3–5 days
Cost of incorporation: UGX 263K–500K
Online filing uptake: >70%

Faster, affordable and digital registration reduces the time and cost of starting and formalising a business.

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A Ugandan business owner filing taxes online with URA, with a tax compliance dashboard showing return submitted, payment up to date and compliant.

Taxation & Compliance

Corporate tax rate: 30%
VAT turnover threshold: UGX 300M
E-filing adoption: >80%

Predictable tax requirements and efficient digital services make compliance easier and support better business planning.

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A Ugandan shop owner holding a KCCA trading licence in her premises, beside the steps to apply, assess, pay and receive a licence.

Trading Licences

Time to obtain a licence: 1–2 weeks
Licence cost: Varies by sector
Renewal compliance in urban areas: 70%

Simple and timely licensing reduces administrative costs and enables businesses to operate formally.

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Uganda’s infrastructure network: a factory connected to electricity, the Kampala Expressway, the Malaba–Gulu railway, air cargo, Lake Victoria ports and internet connectivity.

Infrastructure Access

Electricity connection: 30–45 days
Kampala Expressway: On course
Malaba–Gulu railway rehabilitation: 76%
Air clearance time: 45–60 min
Internet penetration: 50%

Reliable energy, transport and digital connectivity lower operating costs and connect businesses to suppliers, customers and markets.

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A Ugandan entrepreneur and a bank officer reviewing an approved business loan, with a production floor in the background.

Access to Finance

Average weighted lending rate: 18%

The cost of finance affects firms’ ability to invest, expand production, adopt technology and create jobs.

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A business owner receiving a certificate of title at the Ministry of Lands, with the National Land Information System on screen.

Property Registration

Time to register property: 30–45 days

Efficient property registration strengthens ownership security and supports investment and access to finance.

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Business people signing a commercial contract at the Commercial Court, with the ECCMIS electronic case management system showing case status.

Contract Enforcement

Average case resolution time: 2 years
ECCMIS court automation rolled out: 49 courts

Faster and predictable dispute resolution reduces commercial risk and strengthens confidence in business transactions.

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Ugandan goods moving from producer to market: cargo trucks, a customs one-stop border post, the Uganda Electronic Single Window, and air and sea freight.

Trade Facilitation

Customs clearance: 24–48 hours
Integrated in the Uganda Electronic Single Window: 12 agencies

Faster and coordinated border processes reduce the cost of moving goods and strengthen firms’ competitiveness in regional and international markets.

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A Ugandan workforce and an employer payroll portal showing employees registered with NSSF and PAYE compliance.

Labour & Social Security

NSSF coverage: 15%
PAYE compliance: 70%

Efficient labour and social-security systems support a formal, protected and productive workforce while simplifying employer compliance.

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Competitiveness parameters for doing business in Uganda

Each indicator, its baseline or the standard set in the responsible agency’s client service charter, and the agencies accountable for it. Agency names link to their page on this portal where one exists.

#	Parameter	Indicator	Baseline / client service charter standard	Responsible agencies
1	Business Registration	Time to register	3–5 working days	URSB, MoFPED
		Cost of incorporation	UGX 263,000–500,000	URSB
		Online filing adoption	>70% uptake	URSB, NITA-U
2	Taxation & Compliance	Corporate tax rate	30%	URA, MoFPED
		VAT threshold	UGX 300m turnover	URA
		E-filing adoption	>80%	URA, NITA-U
3	Trading Licences	Time to obtain licence	1–2 weeks	KCCA, Local Councils
		Cost	Varies by sector	KCCA, Local Councils
		Renewal compliance rate	70% in urban areas	KCCA, Local Councils
4	Infrastructure Access	Electricity connection time	30–45 days	MEMD, UEDCL
		Road	Completion of the Kampala Expressway	—
		Railway	Malaba–Gulu railway rehabilitation (375 km): 76% complete (2026). SGR: stalled.	MoWT, URC
		Air	Clearance time 45–60 min	CAA, MoWT
		Water	Utilisation of Lake Victoria ports	MoWT, Uganda Ports Authority
		Internet penetration	50%	NITA-U, UCC
5	Access to Finance	Average weighted lending rate	18%	BoU, Commercial Banks
6	Property Registration	Time to register property	30–45 days	MLHUD, URSB
7	Contract Enforcement	Average case resolution time	2 years	Judiciary, MoJCA
7	Contract Enforcement	Court automation adoption	ECCMIS rolled out in 49 courts	Judiciary, MoJCA
8	Trade Facilitation	Customs clearance time	24–48 hours	URA, MTIC
8	Trade Facilitation	Agencies integrated in UESW	12 agencies	URA, MTIC
9	Labour & Social Security	NSSF coverage	15%	NSSF, MoGLSD
9	Labour & Social Security	PAYE compliance rate	70%	URA, MoGLSD

Source: Private Sector Development Unit (PSDU), Competitiveness Parameters for Doing Business in Uganda, 2026.