Cabinet approves NIN as Uganda’s Tax Identification Number

What the report says

Cabinet in Uganda has approved the National Identification Number, or NIN, as the Tax Identification Number for taxpayers, according to a statement reported by Nile Post. The decision was made at Cabinet’s ninth meeting on August 31, 2026, at State House Entebbe. ICT and National Guidance Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba said the change is meant to replace a separate tax-registration process with one identity for each taxpayer and to address outdated, inconsistent records.

The reported goal is to improve the accuracy of the taxpayer register, make it easier for authorities to identify and trace taxpayers, and help government systems work together more effectively. The measure is also intended to strengthen compliance and reduce revenue leakage. The article says the government wants better visibility into taxpayers’ worldwide income, but it does not give a timeline for when the NIN will officially replace the TIN or how the transition will work for existing taxpayers.

Cabinet also approved an emergency agricultural response for drought-affected communities in Karamoja and nearby districts. The plan includes early-maturing, drought-tolerant seeds developed by the National Agriculture Research Organisation’s NaSARRI institute, with seeds going first to the greener parts of Karamoja and goats later to more arid areas. Funding will come from emergency allocations under the Office of the Prime Minister.

In addition, Cabinet approved the National Water Policy 2026 and appointed the final member of the National Building Review Board, completing the board’s composition. The broader package reflects government efforts to tighten public administration while responding to drought and water-management challenges.