Promote:
Invest in Uganda
A short guide for companies expanding into Uganda: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Uganda at a glance
Population
51.4 million
Uganda's population was 51,384,894 people in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Uganda population, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$62 billion
Uganda's GDP was US$61.99 billion in 2025, the fiscal year July 2024 to June 2025, at current prices.
Source: World Bank WDI, Uganda GDP, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$1,206
GDP per person was US$1,206 in 2025, the fiscal year July 2024 to June 2025, at current prices.
Source: World Bank WDI, Uganda GDP per person, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
6.3%
Real GDP growth was 6.3 percent in 2025, the fiscal year July 2024 to June 2025, which the World Bank labels by its end year.
Source: World Bank WDI, Uganda real GDP growth, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Inflation
4.6%
Annual headline inflation was 4.6 percent in the 12 months to September 2026.
Source: UBOS, CPI press release, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$3.36 billion
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$3,358.037 million in 2025, according to UNCTADstat.
Source: UNCTADstat, Uganda inward FDI flow, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Uganda shilling.
Source: Bank of Uganda, Monetary Policy Statement, August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 13, 2026
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
The investment promotion agency is the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA).
Source: Uganda, Investment Code Act 2019 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2019
The Investment Code Act, 2019 makes the Uganda Investment Authority a one stop center for the licenses, authorizations and approvals investors need.
Source: Uganda, Investment Code Act 2019 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2019
No reservation instrument was found; the Investment Code Act lets the Minister reserve activities by statutory instrument.
Source: Uganda, Investment Code Act 2019 (opens in a new tab) · as of March 29, 2019
As of 2022/23, per the ministry, the total number of free zones was 33, after two more developers and operators were licensed in the first half of that year. Ask UFZEPA for its current list.
Source: MoFPED, Ministerial Policy Statement FY2023/24, Free Zones Authority (opens in a new tab) · as of July to December 2022
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Uganda
- Register the company or business name online and reserve the name.Uganda Registration Services BureauFlat fee UGX 105,000 for share capital up to UGX 5,000,000; 1 to 3 working daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: MoFPED Doing Business Portal, business registration, reviewed 2026-08-18 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 18, 2026
- Register for a taxpayer identification number, which you also need to open a business bank account.Uganda Revenue AuthorityFree; instant to 3 working daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: MoFPED Doing Business Portal, TIN registration, reviewed 2026-06-15 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 15, 2026
- Apply for an investment license through the one stop center, and register before you invest if you are a foreign investor.Uganda Investment AuthorityNo application fee; about 48 hours when requirements are metOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: MoFPED Doing Business Portal, investment license, reviewed 2026-08-18 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 18, 2026
- If you start a free zone project, apply for a developer or operator license.Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotions AuthorityDeveloper USD 250 to apply and USD 5,000 a year; operator USD 250 and USD 1,000 a year; 30 working daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: UFZEPA, free zone licensing procedures (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 3 more set-up steps
- Obtain an environmental and social impact assessment certificate if your project is on the Third Schedule list.National Environment Management Authority30 days for a project brief, 60 days for a full assessmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: MoFPED Doing Business Portal, environmental approval, reviewed 2026-08-18 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 18, 2026
- Apply online for work permits for foreign staff.National Citizenship and Immigration ControlUSD 1,250 for six months up to USD 7,500 for 36 months; 2 to 10 working daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: MoFPED Doing Business Portal, work permit, reviewed 2026-08-18 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 18, 2026
- Contact the investment authority about land in a government industrial park.Uganda Investment AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: MoFPED Doing Business Portal, industrial park land, reviewed 2026-08-18 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 18, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with UIA and URA. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
Investment promotion agency
UIA
Uganda Investment Authority
Registers and licenses investors through its one stop center and handles land in government industrial parks.
Visit UIA (opens in a new tab)Source: MoFPED Doing Business Portal, investment license, reviewed 2026-08-18 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 18, 2026
- Meet requirements
Company and business registry
URSB
Uganda Registration Services Bureau
Registers companies, business names and intellectual property, with online registration for company names.
Visit URSB (opens in a new tab)Source: MoFPED Doing Business Portal, business registration, reviewed 2026-08-18 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 18, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Immigration and citizenship authority
NCIC
National Citizenship and Immigration Control
Issues work permits, entry permits and visas for foreign nationals who intend to work or stay in Uganda.
Visit NCIC (opens in a new tab)Source: Immigration control home page, read 2026-10-31 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Finance and planning ministry
MoFPED
Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Runs the Doing Business Portal, which lists the licenses and permits a business needs and where to apply.
Visit MoFPED (opens in a new tab)Source: MoFPED Doing Business Portal, licensing and compliance (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Tax and customs authority
URA
Uganda Revenue Authority
Handles export customs declarations for goods leaving Uganda and publishes export procedures.
Visit URA (opens in a new tab)Source: URA, Export Procedure (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Central bank
BoU
Bank of Uganda
Sets monetary policy and publishes the exchange rate and inflation outlook that affect pricing in shillings.
Visit BoU (opens in a new tab)Source: Bank of Uganda, Monetary Policy Statement, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Manufacturers association
UMA
Uganda Manufacturers Association
Represents manufacturers in tax and trade policy discussions and offers membership benefits.
Visit UMA (opens in a new tab)Source: UMA home page, read 2026-10-31 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get advice
Private sector apex body
PSFU
Private Sector Foundation Uganda
Supports business associations and private companies with training, advocacy and project work.
Visit PSFU (opens in a new tab)Source: PSFU home page, read 2026-10-31 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Export agency merger
The ministry said the new board would resolve challenges from the export board merger, which it says caused delays and confusion among exporters.
What to do: Confirm with UFZEPA which office handles your export registration before you apply.
Sources: MTIC, inauguration of the UFZEPA board, 2024-12-23 (opens in a new tab); Uganda, Free Zones (Amendment) Act 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of December 23, 2024
Currency and settlement
The Bank of Uganda raised its policy rate from 9.75 to 12.0 percent on October 14, 2026, citing shilling depreciation pressure and rising inflation risk.
What to do: Check the current exchange rate and borrowing costs before you price or settle in shillings.
Sources: Bank of Uganda, Monetary Policy Statement, October 2026 (opens in a new tab); Bank of Uganda, Monetary Policy Statement, August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 14, 2026
Logistics and border performance
In August 2026 the UNBS head said staffing gaps let it deploy staff at only 34 of over 200 border points; the minister relayed complaints of certification and clearance delays.
What to do: Ask UNBS for current certification and border clearance times before you schedule shipments.
Source: MTIC, Minister tasks UNBS on service delivery, 2026-08-06 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 6, 2026
Health-related travel measures
The Bank of Uganda lists residual effects of health-related travel advisories and Ebola-related restrictions as a downside risk to tourism and related services.
What to do: Check current entry and health rules before you schedule visits to Uganda.
Sources: Bank of Uganda, Monetary Policy Statement, August 2026 (opens in a new tab); FCDO, travel advice for Uganda, updated 2026-10-28 (opens in a new tab) · as of August 13, 2026
Show 4 more
Reserved sectors
No reservation instrument was found; the Investment Code Act lets the Minister reserve activities by statutory instrument, and foreign investors must register first.
What to do: Ask the Uganda Investment Authority whether your activity is open before you commit capital.
Source: Uganda, Investment Code Act 2019 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Fuel and utilities prices
UBOS reports energy, fuel and utilities inflation of 14.5 percent in the 12 months to September 2026, with petrol prices up 30.9 percent.
What to do: Use current fuel and electricity prices in your project budget.
Source: UBOS, CPI press release, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 30, 2026
Public debt and arrears
The finance ministry reports that public debt rose from 40.4 to 45.3 percent of GDP in present-value terms between fiscal years 2023/24 and 2024/25.
What to do: Check payment terms and arrears risk before you sell to government.
Source: MoFPED, Ministerial Policy Statement FY2026/27 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026-03
First oil
The finance ministry says oil and gas investment is being accelerated toward first oil in fiscal year 2026/27.
What to do: Check the Petroleum Authority's current licensing rules before you bid for oil-sector work.
Sources: MoFPED, Ministerial Policy Statement FY2026/27 (opens in a new tab); Bank of Uganda, Monetary Policy Statement, August 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026-03
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Uganda with other countriesSet Uganda beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Uganda is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.