URA Headquarters in Nakawa. Right is URA CG John R. Musinguzi.
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has acquired 80 biometric fingerprint scanners to support the ongoing transition from Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) to National Identification Numbers (NINs), a move aimed at improving taxpayer identification and strengthening revenue administration.
The scanners are already operational at selected URA service points in Kampala and Wakiso, while deployment to upcountry offices is scheduled to begin on October 26, according to an article published by New Vision. URA Commissioner General John Rujoki Musinguzi said the equipment would enable taxpayers to authenticate their personal details and complete the migration to the NIN-based tax registration system.
The exercise forms part of the second phase of the transition, which requires taxpayers to physically visit a designated URA office to verify their biodata, including their names, place of abode and other personal information. Once verified, the details will be linked to taxpayers’ existing profiles in the URA system. “The transition from TIN to NIN is not just a URA initiative but a national agenda aimed at creating a single, unified identification system for all Ugandans. We have acquired 80 biometric scanners and more are yet to be procured so as to bring this service closer to the people. We call upon every taxpayer to take advantage of this window and authenticate their details,” Musinguzi said.
Uganda moved from the TIN system to the use of NINs for tax registration in July. The reform is part of wider government efforts to improve the accuracy of taxpayer information and increase the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio from 14% to 20%. The biometric scanners are currently available at URA headquarters on Upper Ground, the Tax Register Management offices at the headquarters, Kampala Boulevard, the Diamond Trust Bank building on Kampala Road, Pearl Tower on Yusuf Lule Road and the Uganda Investment Authority.
Taxpayers can also access the service at URA offices in Akamweesi, Kawempe, Kabalagala and Entebbe. From October 26, the exercise will be extended to upcountry stations in Mukono, Jinja, Mbale, Iganga, Soroti, Tororo, Gulu, Lira, Arua, Kitgum, Nebbi, Fort Portal, Hoima, Kasese, Masindi, Mityana, Mubende, Mbarara, Masaka, Bushenyi and Kabale. URA has introduced additional measures to make the transition easier. The tax system has been updated to prompt taxpayers to review their information when they log in, while teams at the authority’s headquarters are contacting taxpayers by email to remind them to update their records. Employers seeking to transition large numbers of employees have been advised to write formally to URA so that the authority can organise coordinated support.
Musinguzi urged taxpayers to comply with the government directive, warning that failure to complete the transition could affect access to government services and incentives linked to national identification.
The transition is expected to simplify taxpayer identification, reduce duplication, improve data accuracy and enhance service delivery. It could also make business registration and verification easier across government agencies by creating a unified identification system. URA said officers at all designated centres were ready to guide taxpayers through the authentication process. Taxpayers have been advised to visit their nearest designated URA office with their national identity cards to complete the migration from TIN to NIN.
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