Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The Ministry of ICT, in collaboration with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), has introduced a new online system for business registration, aiming to simplify the process for registering businesses and companies across Uganda.
Dubbed the Online Business Registration System (OBRS), this system is intricately linked with both the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Dr. Aminah Zawedde, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT, emphasized that the introduction of this system will significantly alleviate the challenges associated with business registration and operations in Uganda.
“Today most of the businesses are being run online and not seeing physical business but rather online and with the new system, one can register their business from anywhere across the globe,” Dr. Zawedde said.
“The Ministry of ICT believes that embracing digital transformation will result into significant economic growth by leveraging on digital solutions, automation and online services. This will empower business register seamlessly, access essential services and embark on their entrepreneur ventures with greater efficiency and convenience,” Dr. Zawedde added.
She highlighted that the system reflects the government’s commitment to advancing digital transformation initiatives in Uganda, ultimately enhancing its capacity to serve citizens more effectively.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT also revealed that 25 ministries, departments, and agencies are presently verifying information in preparation for utilizing the system.
“We want to ease the process of doing business with just a click of a button. We look forward to everyone’s support to make it a reality.”
Dr. Zawedde further reassured that the implementation of the system hasn’t resulted in job losses; instead, it has opened up new opportunities.
“The people who have developed the system are not one or two but they are over 60 people. The system has to be maintained and therefore we have over 140 people employed in the Ministry of ICT. When it comes to the URSB side, they still have to continue doing the work they were doing previously, only that now it is being done online.
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Because there are so many applications coming in, we have to ensure we get many people to clear them. Therefore, to have a business registered in 30 minutes, it means you have to be with more people working behind the scene tireless to ensure it is seamless,” she said.
She commended the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) for leading the initiative, highlighting its potential to benefit numerous individuals.
Registrar General and Executive Director of URSB, Mercy Kainobwisho, lauded the system for significantly facilitating business operations in Uganda.
“This system will help go a long way in helping in business registration and related transactions but will also help reduce the cost of registration, curb revenue leakage and lead to improved URSB services,” she said.
