Formal requirements
Company Incorporation: Company incorporation is the first stage of investing in Uganda. Register your company with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to acquire a Certificate of Incorporation. Companies can be registered as local, public, or foreign.
Tax Registration: The second step is to register for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) with the Uganda Revenue Authority.
Investment License: Acquiring an Investment license from the Uganda Investment Agency (UIA) is a mandatory requirement for foreign investors as it is the instrument that legalises the investment in Uganda. Imperative to note that companies need to meet the threshold i.e. US$ 50,000 for domestic investors and US$ 250,000 for foreign investors. Furthermore, some sectors require regulatory licenses e.g. mining, manufacture of drugs, before applying for an investment license. Individuals intending to engage in trade do not require a license from UIA but must prove they have access to operating capital of US$100,000 before trading licenses and the recommendations for work permits can be issued by local authorities. The Investment license is free of charge and issued in 48 hours if the applications meets criteria. Applications are made online at the entity’s business portal.
Secondary Licenses: Companies operating in some sectors and jurisdictions may require additional secondary licenses such as electricity, Health, Education, Mining, Financial Services, etc.
Work Permits: All foreign nationals intending to work in Uganda must ensure that they are in possession of the relevant work permit. The comprehensive list of requirements for the different categories or classes of work permits is listed on the Directorate of Citizenship & Immigration website.
Other investment opportunities
Listed below are the priority investment sectors in Uganda:
Agriculture Value Addition
Tourism
Mineral Value Addition
Energy
Edible Oils Production
Production of Electronics
Information Communication Technology
Pharmaceuticals
Infrastructure
Document links for further information: