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URA moves to replace TIN with NIN in taxpayer identification drive
The proposed transition is, therefore, being presented as part of a broader effort to create a more reliable identity layer for government services. The chief noted that accurate national registration and identification were fundamental to effective government service delivery, with taxation being one of the services that could be built on that foundation.
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner General John R. Musinguzi with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu at the My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, September, 29, 2026. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)
By: Richard Ategeka, Journalist @New Vision
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Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is set to replace Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) with National Identification Numbers (NINs) as part of efforts to strengthen taxpayer identification and improve tax collection.
URA Commissioner General John R. Musinguzi said the transition, approved by Cabinet, will allow taxpayers to be more consistently identified through the national identification system managed by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
Speaking at the My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, September, 29, 2026, Musinguzi said the current TIN system has presented identification and security challenges for the tax authority. “It has been possible for one individual to hold 10 TINs,” he said, explaining that this could allow a taxpayer to close one TIN and open another, making it difficult for URA to establish that the different numbers belong to the same person.
He also cited cases in which individuals' TIN details and passwords could be accessed by others, potentially leaving innocent taxpayers facing tax liabilities arising from activity they did not undertake. The commissioner added that linking taxation to the national identification system, backed by biometric data, would enable URA to establish a more reliable connection between an individual and their tax obligations. To him, the system would allow a taxpayer to be identified consistently even where they are associated with several companies. “This is one of the many services that government can offer through an accurate register,” he said.
Speaking at the My Identity Expo and Symposium 2026 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, September, 29, 2026, Musinguzi said the current TIN system has presented identification and security challenges for the tax authority. “It has been possible for one individual to hold 10 TINs,” he said, explaining that this could allow a taxpayer to close one TIN and open another, making it difficult for URA to establish that the different numbers belong to the same person.
He also cited cases in which individuals' TIN details and passwords could be accessed by others, potentially leaving innocent taxpayers facing tax liabilities arising from activity they did not undertake. The commissioner added that linking taxation to the national identification system, backed by biometric data, would enable URA to establish a more reliable connection between an individual and their tax obligations. To him, the system would allow a taxpayer to be identified consistently even where they are associated with several companies. “This is one of the many services that government can offer through an accurate register,” he said.
The Commissioner General described the transition from TIN to NIN as one of the key elements of URA's revenue mobilisation strategies. Accordingly, URA has committed to raising Uganda's tax-to-GDP ratio from about 14 % to at least 20% within the next three years, arguing that stronger taxpayer identification would be among the technologies supporting that target.
The proposed transition is, therefore, being presented as part of a broader effort to create a more reliable identity layer for government services. The chief noted that accurate national registration and identification were fundamental to effective government service delivery, with taxation being one of the services that could be built on that foundation.
“There is no government that can effectively serve the citizens without proper registration, without proper identification,” he said. The initiative comes as URA pursues broader efforts to improve domestic revenue mobilisation, with the authority identifying stronger taxpayer identification as one of the tools it intends to use.
Organised by NIRA in partnership with Vision Group, the expo is sponsored by the Bank of Uganda, URA, Kampala Capital City Authority, NITA and USPC.
The proposed transition is, therefore, being presented as part of a broader effort to create a more reliable identity layer for government services. The chief noted that accurate national registration and identification were fundamental to effective government service delivery, with taxation being one of the services that could be built on that foundation.
“There is no government that can effectively serve the citizens without proper registration, without proper identification,” he said. The initiative comes as URA pursues broader efforts to improve domestic revenue mobilisation, with the authority identifying stronger taxpayer identification as one of the tools it intends to use.
Organised by NIRA in partnership with Vision Group, the expo is sponsored by the Bank of Uganda, URA, Kampala Capital City Authority, NITA and USPC.