Uganda has approved the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) as the country’s Tax Identification Number (TIN), ending the use of a separate tax identification system for individuals.
The decision was approved by the Ugandan Cabinet during its ninth meeting of 2026, held at State House in Entebbe, and announced by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba.
Under the new system, individuals will use their NIN, issued by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), as their tax identification number, while registered businesses will use their Business Registration Number (BRN).
The government said the move is aimed at creating a single and reliable identity for every taxpayer and improving the accuracy of the country’s taxpayer records. It is also expected to make it easier for authorities to identify and trace taxpayers, improve tax compliance and reduce revenue losses.
Lumumba said the previous tax registration system had relied on a separate and largely manual TIN process, which resulted in outdated and inconsistent taxpayer records.
She said linking taxation directly to the national identification system would give the government a clearer picture of taxpayers and help improve the collection of taxes, including income earned from different sources.
The reform follows steps already taken earlier this year by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), which in May asked taxpayers to update their registration details and link their existing tax records to their NIN or Business Registration Number.
However, the Cabinet has not announced a specific date for the full implementation of the new system or explained how existing TIN holders will be transferred to the NIN-based system.
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The decision has also generated mixed reactions online, with some Ugandans welcoming the move as a way to create a more efficient and traceable tax system, while others expressed concerns about the protection of personal data.
Some users also questioned how the new system would affect people whose SIM cards or mobile money accounts were registered using another person’s identification details, as well as foreign nationals and citizens whose national identity cards have expired.
Uganda’s decision is similar to a reform introduced in Nigeria, but the two systems are not the same. In Nigeria, an individual’s National Identification Number is linked to a separate Tax ID generated by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, rather than replacing the tax number entirely.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
