Uganda
Corporate Guide

What is the process of setting up a company in Uganda?

When setting up a company in Uganda, the following steps should be undertaken for incorporation:

1. Carry out a name search at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and reserve the desired name for 30 days.
2. Prepare the necessary documents for incorporation which include:
   • Memorandum and articles of association of the company
   • Company registration form (Form S18)
   • The statement of nominal share capital (Form A1)
   • Notice of the location of the registered office and the registered postal address or any change therein (Form 18)
   • Notification of appointment of director and secretary of the company (Form 20)
   • Notice of beneficial owners’ particulars (Form 1)
   • Copies of identification cards or passports of all individuals (shareholders/subscriber(s), director(s) and company secretary)
   • In the case of a single-member company, Form A1 is omitted and replaced with a notice of nomination of the nominee director and alternate nominee director by a single member (Form 1)
3. Pay all statutory fees.
4. Submit documents to the URSB through the OBRS portal.
5. Upon satisfaction that all legal requirements have been complied with, the URSB issues a certificate of incorporation to the company.

The following steps are undertaken for the registration of a foreign company (setting up a branch):

1. Please note that no name reservation is required.
2. Provision of certified or notarised copies of the following documents in support of the application:
   • The charter or statute or memorandum and articles of association or constitution of the company.
   • Statement of all subsisting charges created by the company, being charges created by a company registered in Uganda and delivered to the registrar for registration within 42 days after the date of its creation and not being charges comprising solely of property situated outside Uganda.
   • Form 24 (the list of directors and secretaries of the company).
   • Form 25 (the list of name(s) and address(es) of (one or more) persons resident in Uganda authorised to accept service (of process and any notices) on behalf of a company incorporated outside Uganda).
   • Form 26 (Address of the registered or principal office of a company incorporated outside Uganda) (local address).
   • Copies of the passports of the directors and secretary and/or a national identification card for the local representative.
3. Payment of all the statutory fees. 
4. Upon satisfaction that all requirements have been complied with, the URSB issues a certificate of registration to the company.