10,000 non-compliant companies deregistered by URSB

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The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) says it has intensified efforts to enforce compliance with the Companies Act, 2012, by deregistering thousands of non-compliant companies.

URSB said on Tuesday (March 25) that it had permanently deregistered 10,001 companies that did not apply for reinstatement after being struck off.

In 2023, the Registrar of Companies struck off 297,697 companies from the register that failed to file annual returns for five consecutive years, rendering them inactive and unable to conduct formal business.

Operating a struck-off company is an offense, punishable by a fine of up to sh4m per day, as per Regulation 41 of the Companies Regulations, 2023.

In a statement, URSB said a notice of deregistration was issued on February 7, 2025, officially removing these businesses from the register.

Deregistration is the permanent removal of a company from the register. It means that the company legally ceases to exist and after 12 months, the company name becomes available for use by others.

URSB has urged companies that remain struck off to immediately apply for reinstatement to avoid permanent deregistration.

“Reinstatement applications must be submitted via the Online Business Registration System (OBRS) and require filing outstanding annual returns to complete the reinstatement process successfully. Companies are encouraged to act promptly to avoid permanent deregistration,” URSB stated.

The public, including government ministries, departments, agencies, financial institutions, and businesses, has been warned against transacting with struck-off or deregistered companies.

A full list of affected companies is available on the URSB website.