Uganda Adopts NIN as Single Taxpayer Identity – Innovation Village

Uganda is moving to simplify its tax registration system by adopting the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s single taxpayer identity, effectively phasing out the separate Tax Identification Number (TIN) system used by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

The decision was approved by Uganda’s Cabinet during its ninth meeting on August 31, 2026, held at State House in Entebbe. The ICT and National Guidance Minister, Justine Kasule Lumumba, announced the decision, describing it as a major reform of the country’s taxpayer registration system.

Under the new arrangement, individuals will use their NIN, issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), for tax identification, while registered businesses will be identified using their Business Registration Number (BRN).

The government says the change is intended to create a more accurate and unified taxpayer database while making tax registration simpler for citizens.

Why Uganda Is Replacing the TIN System

Uganda’s tax registration system has traditionally relied on a separate TIN issued by the URA. According to Lumumba, the system was largely manual and had resulted in outdated and inconsistent taxpayer records.

She said adopting the NIN as the tax identifier would give every individual taxpayer a single, consistent identity across government systems.

The reform is also expected to make it easier for authorities to identify and trace taxpayers, improve compliance and reduce revenue leakage.

Another objective is to give the government greater visibility into taxpayers’ income, including income earned outside Uganda.

By linking tax obligations directly to an individual’s national identity, authorities expect to have a clearer picture of who is liable to pay taxes and what income…