Find the licences & permits your business needs

Business Name Registration

Registration of a sole proprietorship or partnership business name.

Fee: UGX 35,000 (standard registration fee; subject to official fee schedule). (URSB User Portal)

Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Registration

A TIN is a unique 10-digit number issued free of charge by URA to identify a registered taxpayer. It is required to file returns, open a business bank account, import/export and apply for most other licences.

Fee: Free

Trading License

Licence authorising a person/business to conduct trade or business within KCCA jurisdiction.

Fee: Depends on nature of business and grade of business area. Current KCCA published rates vary by business category and grade.

Investment Licence

Authorizes a person or company to undertake a qualifying investment project in Uganda and access incentives provided under the Investment Code Act.

Fee: No application fee.

Product Certification

UNBS certifies that locally manufactured products conform to national standards and issues a permit to use the Quality Mark (Q-Mark), valid for one year. Certification is increasingly mandatory for food and other regulated products before they can be sold.

Fee: UGX 500,000 (micro/small); UGX 1,000,000 (medium/large)

NSSF Employer Registration

Employers must register with the National Social Security Fund and remit monthly contributions of 15% of each employee's gross wage (5% employee, 10% employer). Since the NSSF (Amendment) Act 2022, this applies to all employers regardless of the number of employees.

Fee: Free to register

VAT Registration

Businesses whose taxable turnover exceeds the VAT registration threshold must register with URA, charge 18% VAT, issue EFRIS e-invoices and file monthly returns. Below the threshold, registration is voluntary.

Fee: Free

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Certificate

Approval issued for projects requiring an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment before implementation.

Fee: Prescribed under the National Environment (Fees) Regulations.

Development Permission / Building Plan Approval

Approval required before undertaking regulated development or construction in Kampala.

Fee: Architectural plans inspection: UGX 1,000 per m² of ground-floor area; structural plans inspection: UGX 30,000 per suspended slab; other applicable fees depend on the development.

Occupation Permit

Certifies that a completed building/structure is suitable and safe for occupation.

Fee: UGX 80,000 + applicable VAT/inspection charges.

Minor Renovation Permit

Permit for minor repairs or renovations to an existing building.

Fee: UGX 100,000 + VAT.

Major Renovation Permit

Approval for extensive repairs or renovation works to an existing building.

Fee: UGX 200,000 + VAT.

Chain-Link Fencing Permit

Permit for erection of a temporary chain-link fence to secure property.

Fee: UGX 100,000 + VAT.

Demolition Permit

Permission to demolish an existing building or structure.

Fee: UGX 50,000 published KCCA fee.

Hoarding Permit

Permission to erect an enclosure around a construction site for public safety/security.

Fee: UGX 100,000 + VAT.

Communication Mast Permit

Permit for erection, operation or renewal of a commercial communication mast.

Fee: KCCA published schedule: UGX 500,000 per annum.

Excavation Permit

Temporary permission to undertake regulated excavation works. KCCA specifically provides for excavation permits, including excavations exceeding 3 metres.

Fee: Fee not clearly stated on the current KCCA published physical-planning fee schedule; verify with KCCA before entering a fee figure.

Outdoor Advertising Permit

Permission to place/display an outdoor advertising tool such as a billboard, sign, banner or other advertising structure visible from a public place/road.

Fee: Depends on the type, location and size of advertising tool; KCCA maintains prescribed advertising-tool rates.

Tree / Branch Cutting Permit

Permit required for cutting a tree or branch in circumstances regulated by KCCA, including trees in the vicinity of building developments.

Fee: Not confirmed from the current publicly available KCCA fee schedule — verify with KCCA.

Import Inspection Clearance

Inspection and clearance of imported regulated products to ensure compliance with Uganda Standards.

Fee: Charged by the PVoC service provider (fee scale per consignment value)

Distinctive Mark Permit (Q-Mark)

Authorizes a manufacturer to use the UNBS Quality Mark on products that comply with applicable Uganda Standards

Fee: As prescribed in the UNBS Fees Schedule.

System Certification

Organisations seeking certification of quality, food safety, environmental or management systems

Laboratory Testing Services

Manufacturers, importers and exporters requiring product testing

Calibration Certificate

Business requiring calibration of measuring equipment

Weights and Measures Verification

Businesses using weighing and measuring instruments for trade

Pharmacy Operating Licence

Licence authorizing the operation of a retail or wholesale pharmacy.

Class C Drug Shop Licence

Licence authorizing operation of a licensed drug shop.

Human Medicine Registration Certificate

Authorizes a medicine to be marketed in Uganda.

Import Permit for Medicines

Licensed pharmaceutical importers.

Public Service Provider Licence (PSP)

Licence to provide public communications services.

Fee: USD $2500 (exclusive of VAT)

Public Infrastructure Provider Licence (PIP) which can either be National Infrastructure Service Provider (RPIP); Or (c) National Public Infrastructure Provider (NPIP)

This will allow the license holder to establish, install and provide infrastructure services across the designated area of the country - Telecommunications Infrastructure Nationwide (for the NPIP) or in the particular region (RPIP

National Telecommunications Operator (NTO)

The NTO license will allow the license holder to establish and provide both infrastructure and services across the entire country

Radio Spectrum License

Entities using radio frequencies.

Communications Equipment Type Approval

Approval for communications equipment to be imported, sold or used in Uganda after meeting prescribed technical standards.

Electricity Generation Licence

Authorizes a person or company to construct, own and operate an electricity generation facility in Uganda.

Fee: Prescribed under the Electricity (Licence Fees) Regulations and ERA Fee Schedule.

Transmission Licence

Authorizes the construction, ownership and operation of high-voltage electricity transmission systems.

Distribution Licence

Authorizes a company to distribute electricity within a specified service area.

Electricity Supply License

Authorizes the sale of electricity directly to consumers

Import License

Authorizes importation of electricity into Uganda

Export License

Authorizes export of electricity from Uganda to neighboring countries.

Construction Permit

Approval to construct electricity generation or transmission infrastructure.

Grid Connection Approval

Required before connecting generation facilities to the national transmission or distribution grid

Mini-Grid License

Allows construction and operation of isolated or interconnected mini-grids

Electricity Installation Permit

Required for certain categories of electrical installation and works in accordance with applicable regulations

Electrical Installation Contractor License

Issued to qualified electrical contractors undertaking electrical installation work

Electrical Wireman's Permit

Issued to qualified electrical wiremen to undertake specified installation work

Electricity Inspector Approval

Issued to persons authorized to inspect electrical installations and certify compliance

Petroleum Exploration License

Authorizes exploration activities within a specified contract area

Petroleum Production License

Authorizes Commercial Production of Petroleum from an approved development area

Work Permit

Authorizes a foreign national to work legally in Uganda.

Fee: Depends on permit class (A–G) as prescribed in the Immigration Regulations.

Industrial Park Land Allocation Approval

Approval for allocation or lease of land within a government industrial or business park.

Investor Facilitation Registration

Registration enabling investors to receive facilitation services through the One Stop Centre.

Entry visa

Foreign nationals entering Uganda unless visa-exempt.

Special Pass

Foreign nationals awaiting work permits or residence permits

Dependant Pass

Dependants of work permit holders or residents.

Student Pass

Foreign nationals studying in Uganda

Resident Permit

Eligible foreign nationals residing in Uganda.

Certificate of Residence

Eligible foreign residents meeting statutory requirements.

Uganda Passport

Ugandan citizen

Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) Registration

Businesses that collect or process personal data must register with the Personal Data Protection Office (an independent office under NITA-U) and renew annually. Registration promotes transparency and is required under the Data Protection and Privacy Act.

Fee: UGX 100,000