Business
NIN-TIN merger to close tax evasion loopholes
URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi Rujoki said the integration of the TIN with the National Identification Number (NIN) will make it harder for people to obtain multiple tax identities or use another person's details for tax transactions.
People interact with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials during the expo at Kololo. (Credit: Ponsiano Nsimbi)
By: Isaac Nuwagaba, Journalist @New Vision
___________________ Ugandans lining up to get the services at the NIRA Expo 2026. (Credit: Ponsiano Nsimbi)
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is moving to close loopholes that have allowed individuals to hold multiple Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) and use them to evade taxes.
URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi Rujoki said the integration of the TIN with the National Identification Number (NIN) will make it harder for people to obtain multiple tax identities or use another person's details for tax transactions.
“With the old TIN system, it has been possible for one to have ten TINs and use them to dodge taxes, as they can close one and open the other. It will take URA about one year to have fused both systems,” he said.
Rujoki was speaking at the opening of the three-day NIRA My Identity Expo and Symposium at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
He said the old system has also made it possible for people to use other people's TINs to import goods and evade taxes, leaving URA to pursue individuals who were not responsible for the transactions.
“It has also been possible for someone to access another person's TIN and import goods and dodge tax, where URA has been running after the wrong people. But with a secure National Identification database, it will be impossible for one to replicate or use another person's number,” Rujoki said.
Under the new system, the NIN will be linked to an individual's tax records, creating a single identifier that can be verified across government systems.
The integration is expected to help address multiple TINs, identity misuse in tax transactions and the use of false identities by importers.
Rujoki said it would take about one year to fully integrate the two systems, after which the NIN will serve as the identifier for tax transactions.
He said the old system has also made it possible for people to use other people's TINs to import goods and evade taxes, leaving URA to pursue individuals who were not responsible for the transactions.
“It has also been possible for someone to access another person's TIN and import goods and dodge tax, where URA has been running after the wrong people. But with a secure National Identification database, it will be impossible for one to replicate or use another person's number,” Rujoki said.
Under the new system, the NIN will be linked to an individual's tax records, creating a single identifier that can be verified across government systems.
The integration is expected to help address multiple TINs, identity misuse in tax transactions and the use of false identities by importers.
Rujoki said it would take about one year to fully integrate the two systems, after which the NIN will serve as the identifier for tax transactions.
Identity at centre of economic development
Internal Affairs Minister Ephraim Kamuntu said the reform demonstrates the importance of NIRA's work to Uganda's economic development.
He said once NIRA achieves full registration, the Government will have a clearer picture of the population and economic activity, which could help widen the tax base without necessarily increasing tax rates.
The NIRA Expo, which runs from September 29 to October 1, is showcasing how identity information can support services provided by institutions including URA, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), immigration authorities, telecommunications companies, banks and mobile-money providers.
Kamuntu urged Ugandans who have not registered, as well as those whose children are not registered, to use the expo and ongoing countrywide registration drives to obtain national identity documents.
“Register every activity as it happens – birth, death, marriage. That is how we shall attain 100% and give every Ugandan the documents they need to access services and be counted in the development of this country,” he said.
Internal Affairs Minister Ephraim Kamuntu said the reform demonstrates the importance of NIRA's work to Uganda's economic development.
He said once NIRA achieves full registration, the Government will have a clearer picture of the population and economic activity, which could help widen the tax base without necessarily increasing tax rates.
The NIRA Expo, which runs from September 29 to October 1, is showcasing how identity information can support services provided by institutions including URA, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), immigration authorities, telecommunications companies, banks and mobile-money providers.
Kamuntu urged Ugandans who have not registered, as well as those whose children are not registered, to use the expo and ongoing countrywide registration drives to obtain national identity documents.
“Register every activity as it happens – birth, death, marriage. That is how we shall attain 100% and give every Ugandan the documents they need to access services and be counted in the development of this country,” he said.