The government is planning a major reform that could see the Tax Identification Number (TIN), Business Registration Number (BRN), and National Identification Number (NIN) combined into one unified system.
Officials say the move aims to simplify processes and reduce fraud across government services.
At the moment, Ugandans must obtain different identification numbers from separate agencies. A person starting a business first secures a NIN from the National Identification and Registration Authority, then a BRN from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau, and finally a TIN from the Uganda Revenue Authority.
Robert Kalumba, the Uganda Revenue Authority Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, said the reform is being developed in partnership with the relevant agencies.
“It represents a major shift toward efficiency, transparency, and convenience for citizens and businesses alike,” Kalumba said.
He explained that the current system forces citizens to repeat the same information across multiple offices. The proposed change will introduce a single number to link services across institutions.
“One of the major benefits of the reform is improved convenience. With a single identification number, citizens, entrepreneurs and business operators will no longer have to juggle several identification systems. Whether registering a business, filing taxes, or verifying identity for official transactions, the same number will be used across institutions,” Kalumba revealed.
Officials believe the reform will support small and medium-sized enterprises, many of which remain informal due to complex registration procedures. A simpler system is expected to encourage more businesses to formalise and access financial services and government programmes.
Sources involved in drafting the reform say it will also improve transparency and help curb fraud.
“By linking personal identity with tax and business records, it becomes more difficult for individuals to operate under multiple hidden identities to evade taxes or conduct fraudulent activities,” a source said.
The government also expects better planning and service delivery through integrated data. Officials say the system will reduce errors, including cases where taxpayers are wrongly flagged as non-compliant.
Kalumba urged the public to support the reform when it is introduced.
“Although the change may appear small, adopting a single identification number could significantly transform how government services are delivered in Uganda while strengthening accountability and supporting national development,” he said.
