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Under the leadership of Mercy Kainobwisho, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has transitioned from a routine paperwork office into a driver of business formalisation and transparency.

Through digitisation, automation, and public outreach, URSB is redefining how Ugandans register and protect their businesses.

Kainobwisho explains how technology, partnerships, and mindset change are transforming URSB into a model of efficiency and empowerment.

What excites you most about URSB’s evolving role in the business landscape?

Our mandate has grown tremendously, but what excites me most is the transformation it brings to people’s lives.

Registration is more than paperwork; it’s empowerment. When a business registers, it gains a legal identity, credibility, and access to growth opportunities. We are protecting identities, building legacies, and strengthening trust in the economy.

There is a perception that registration is slow and bureaucratic. How are you changing this?

We have dismantled bureaucracy through digitisation and automation. All our records are now digital, and businesses can register and track their progress online without relying on middlemen.

Every transaction is traceable, and nothing goes missing. We have also introduced customer feedback platforms, internal audits, and zero tolerance for corruption. What used to take weeks now takes minutes.

What has been the hardest part of this transformation?

Changing mindsets, both within and among clients. Some staff saw physical files as power, while others preferred manual processes that benefited intermediaries. We had to shift that culture.

We invested in training, technology, and welfare so that staff could embrace automation. Once they understood that digitisation was about efficiency and service, not replacing people, the transition became unstoppable.

How are you bringing registration closer to entrepreneurs?

We have taken it to the people through mobile registration clinics and door-to-door outreach in markets, universities, and innovation hubs. We simplify the process.

When people realise registration can be done instantly and at a low cost, they gain confidence in formalisation. That is how trust is built, through accessibility and reliability.

URSB works closely with other agencies. How do these partnerships add value to businesses?

Partnerships are at the heart of our work. Our current headquarters was built in collaboration with Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) and Capital Markets Authority.

We have integrated systems with NIRA and other agencies to make registration and licensing seamless. We also collaborate regionally and globally, which helps us to break silos and make Uganda’s business ecosystem more predictable.

Technology seems central to your reforms.

Yes, a massive one. Anyone can now register a business or trademark online, from anywhere in the world. We have introduced mobile money and Visa payments, electronic certificates, and instant verification. Soon, we will launch a mobile app to make registration even easier.

Our goal is to make formalisation as simple as opening a social-media account.

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. What specific support are you offering them?

We work with UIA and the Ministry of Trade to provide incubation, mentorship, and advisory services. We are helping small enterprises to formalise in 47 municipalities, and through our Security Interest in Movable Property, small businesses are using assets like equipment or produce as collateral to get credit.

We also offer business rescue and after-care services to help struggling SMEs recover.

Beyond numbers, how do you measure URSB’s real impact?

Impact goes beyond statistics. When a woman in Masaka registers her business or a young innovator protects an idea and turns it into a thriving enterprise, that is success. We track progress through customer satisfaction, turnaround time, and trust.

Many businesses still operate informally. Why does formalisation matter?

It’s the foundation of business security and growth. It costs as little as Shs100,000 to register a business name, yet many invest millions without securing ownership. By the time they register, the name is often taken.

Formalisation protects your brand, gives access to finance, and allows you to participate in policymaking. It’s no longer optional; it’s essential for survival and competitiveness.

What key reforms should entrepreneurs expect next?

We are rolling out a fully transactional e-licensing portal, a national one-stop centre for business registration and licensing, and a Regulatory Impact Analysis framework to simplify compliance.

We are also setting up a business acceleration and innovation hub for startups. We have reduced registration from 30 days to two hours, and we are now working toward instant registration.

Where do you see URSB in the next few years?

We are moving from being a registry to becoming a catalyst for transformation. By 2030, we aim to be Africa’s leading business registry, a benchmark for innovation, integrity, and service excellence.

We will keep leveraging technology and partnerships to sustain these gains. URSB isn’t just registering companies; we are helping to build Uganda’s economic future.

Uganda has been chosen to host the 4th Edition of the Digital Government Africa (DGA) Summit in 2026, a move widely hailed as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s digital transformation journey and regional leadership in ICT.

The announcement was made at this year’s Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia, which was officially opened by President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia.

The 2025 edition brought together over 30 African governments, alongside leading technology firms and innovators, to deliberate on the continent’s digital future.

‘We are honored to have Uganda chosen as the next host of the Digital Government Africa Summit. This recognition affirms the progress our country has made in leveraging ICTs to transform public service delivery and improve the lives of our citizens,’ Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, said.

He added, ‘The Summit will provide a strategic opportunity to showcase Uganda’s achievements, share best practices, and strengthen continental collaboration in building a digitally empowered Africa.’

Uganda’s official delegation in Lusaka included Hon. Gen. David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs; Dr. Hatwib Mugasa, Executive Director, NITA-U; Maj. Gen. Apollo Kasiita-Gowa, Chief of Immigration; Ms. Rosemary Kisembo, Executive Director of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA); and other senior government officials, who together accepted the hosting mantle on behalf of the government.

The selection of Uganda as the 2026 host reflects its steadfast investment in ICT, development of citizen-centric e-Government platforms, and commitment to transparency, inclusion, and innovation.

Dr Hatwib Mugasa, Executive Director of NITA-U, said, ‘Digital transformation is no longer a choice but an imperative. Hosting DGA 2026 positions Uganda at the center of Africa’s digital discourse, allowing us to demonstrate how infrastructure, interoperability, and innovation are powering inclusive growth.

He noted, ‘Uganda’s commitment to digital excellence and its track record in implementing scalable, citizen-centric ICT solutions made it a natural choice for the 2026 host. We are excited to partner with MoICT and NITA-U to make the next year’s Summit the most impactful yet.’

The upcoming Summit will provide Uganda with a platform to showcase homegrown digital solutions, share policy successes, and lead continent-wide dialogue on shaping the next decade of digital governance in Africa.

Dr Mugasa said Uganda’s achievements in areas such as digital identity systems, cybersecurity frameworks, smart service platforms, and digital payment integration were among the key factors behind the country’s successful bid.

The DGA Secretariat, in its announcement, commended Uganda’s ‘commitment to digital excellence and its track record in implementing scalable, citizen-centric ICT solutions’ describing the country as a natural and strategic host for the 2026 edition.

Background

Now in its third year, the DGA Summit has evolved into a high-level, outcome-driven gathering, unlike conventional conferences.

It features pre-scheduled bilateral engagements between governments and technology partners, fostering tangible commitments, projects, and partnerships.

Across Africa, countries are scaling up investment in digital infrastructure to address challenges in public service delivery, economic inclusion, and data governance. Key trends driving this evolution include AI-powered governance, digital ID integration, e-payments, and data protection frameworks.

The country’s readiness to take the lead in hosting the Summit comes at a time when African governments are seeking scalable, inclusive, and citizen-first digital strategies.

The 2026 edition will thus not only be a celebration of Uganda’s progress but also a defining moment for regional cooperation and knowledge sharing. Look at the stories we have had in the past five years.

Despite millions more Ugandans registering to vote in the last six General Elections since 1996, more than three in every 10 of them don’t vote. This boycott rose to four out of every 10 registered voters choosing not to cast their ballots in the last elections in 2021.

Figures from the Electoral Commission (EC) shows that 4.3 million registered voters, on average, have boycotted the polls over each of the last six electoral cycles from 1996 to 2021. Electoral observers and political actors blame this increasing voter apathy on the growing lack of confidence in the electoral system.

They also blame the commercialisation of politics, dull messaging by political players, and low civic education. But officials from the EC have wiped the blame off their shoulders, saying they have always done their best.

The EC spokesperson, Mr Julius Mucunguzi, says the EC has conducted voter education at every election cycle, but the decision to turn up and vote lies in the hands of the registered voters.

‘Voting in Uganda is not compulsory, and no one will take you to court because you did not vote. We have done our part of voter education, where we show the people how to vote. Civic education is done by the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). No Ugandan will ever come up and say that I didn’t vote because I did not know that would be illegal, but they have their own reasons,’ he said.

Mr Mucunguzi lamented the absence of a law forcing all registered voters to turn up and vote. He said voter turnout is at the mercy of the voters.

‘That is why we always announce the results of elections based on the votes cast by those who turn up,’ he said.

Mr Mucunguzi added that the politicians are currently doing their role of encouraging their voters to turn up on the day of voting because the EC’s role is to manage the electoral process by organising the election and guiding voters, and not engaging in rallying voters.

Several political actors this newspaper spoke to said they have designed and are preaching strong, appealing messages to reverse the growing trend, which leaves a few people to decide the political fate of the 45.9 million Ugandans.

Ugandans under President Museveni have since gone to the polls under adult suffrage six times in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and in 2021.

The 1996 polls, organised under the Movement system, attracted three candidates, namely incumbent President Museveni, who was backed by the National Resistance Movement (NRM); Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, a former Foreign Affairs minister under Museveni and Democratic Party leader, who ran under the Inter-Party Forces Cooperation (IPFC) banner, and Mr Kibirige Mayanja, who was affiliated with the Justice Forum (JEEMA).

A total of 8.4 million Ugandans registered to vote in the election, but only 6.1 million turned up for the actual voting, implying that 2.2 million voters, representing 27.5 percent, snubbed the polls. Even those who turned up did not vote properly because the EC’s May 9, 1996, Ugandan Presidential Elections Final Results indicate that 196,190 votes were invalid. But compared to all other five subsequent elections, the 1996 polls had the biggest voter turnout in comparison with the total number of Ugandans who registered to vote.

In 2001, a total of 10.7 million Ugandans registered to vote, which was an increase by 2.3 million from those who registered in 1996. But of the 10.7 million who registered, 7.5 million turned up, implying that 3.1 million voters, translating into 29.7 percent, snubbed the polls.

Ahead of the 2006 polls, the EC registered 10.4 million voters, with 7.2 million turning up for voting, but 30.9 percent snubbing the polls. The number of invalid votes also increased to 295,525, compared to 186,453 registered in 2001. In all six electoral cycles, 2011 registered the second-highest number of voter apathy because 5.6 million voters of the 13.9 million who registered did not turnout, representing 40.3 percent.

The number of invalid votes also rose to 334,548. In the 2016 election, in which Col (rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye last stood against the incumbent Museveni, the EC registered 15.2 million voters, of which 10.3 million turned out, but 4.9 million, representing 32.4 percent, snubbed the polls.

The 2021 General Election, despite attracting 18 million voters, the highest number since 1996, also had the highest number of voters boycotting the vote. Of the 18 million registered voters, only 10.7 million turned up while 7.3 million voters, representing 40.7 percent, snubbed the polls.

Why voter apathy?

Dr Juma Kakuba Sultan, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Kyambogo University, blamed the voter apathy on commercialisation of the vote, and detachment of the elite.

‘We have a class of the elite who sit in their offices and choose to detach themselves from the electoral process. For instance, a lawyer says he or she cannot go and vote for a Senior Six dropout to rule them. The monetisation is also a big issue, which is why you see people on polling day being given money to go and vote.,’ he said.

A human rights lawyer, Mr Hassan Male Mabirizi, argued that the existing fragile political climate, coupled with blackmail, voter bribery, and intimidation, discourages the participation of the majority of the voters who comprise the women and youth, especially the first-time voters who represent a significant portion of Uganda’s population.

‘A free and fair election doesn’t begin on polling day; it starts the day after the previous election ends. From the moment a new leader is sworn in, their conduct and the environment they create determine whether the next election will be credible. In functioning democracies, like the United Kingdom or even Kenya, politics is part of everyday life. You don’t often see police disrupting political meetings or arresting leaders for assembling,’ he said.

‘Just look at how the electoral commissions are set up in other countries. In Kenya, for instance, commissioners are interviewed in public, grilled, scrutinised, and selected transparently. But here, we have a one-man show. One individual appoints all the commissioners, and then they’re sent to Parliament for vetting, behind closed doors. Even journalists aren’t allowed to witness the vetting process of the very people who will manage our elections,’ he added.

Mr Erias Lukwago, the mayor of Kampala City, who is also the president of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party, said the voter apathy stems from mistrust because Ugandans no longer believe in the election results.

‘Ugandans believe that a ballot has no value in changing the political landscape of their country, especially in the presidential election. So, the majority will end up boycotting the presidential elections and instead come for other elections,’ he said.

Political observers say reversing this trend will require more than just mobilisation, and will demand deliberate efforts to rebuild public trust and restore confidence in the democratic process.

Gen David Muhoozi, the State minister for Internal Affairs, said: ‘If we all do what we are supposed to do, we shall have a free and peaceful election. But all the actors must play their part, not just the security personnel. The public has both rights and obligations under electoral laws.’

He assured the public that the government has trained security personnel to act with professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights. But he acknowledged the misbehaviour by some security personnel, urging the public to distinguish between the actions of individuals and the intentions of the government.

‘These misconducts are never acts of the government; they are the actions of individuals,’ he added.

Many Ugandans remain sceptical. The country has a troubled history of militarised elections, with accusations of state-sanctioned violence, harassment of Opposition figures, and suppression of dissent.

In both the 2016 and 2021 elections, security forces were widely accused of intimidating voters, violently breaking up Opposition rallies, and detaining political opponents.

The 2021 election was especially violent, following the arrest of presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, in November 2020, which sparked nationwide protests and resulted in the deaths of more than 50 people, largely at the hands of security agents. For the last three days, all the eight presidential candidates have not received gross cases of misconduct by the security forces except for minor scuffles that break out during the implementation of the campaign guidelines. Officials from different political parties yesterday acknowledged the gross voter apathy.

The Secretary General of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, Mr David Lewis Rubongoya, said the party is banking on its strong campaign message to avert the situation.

‘We are preaching to them the importance of voting, especially through the protest vote, which will usher in a new Uganda where we are all treated equally without any discrimination. We are optimistic that the electorate, especially the youths, will pick up the message and turn up to vote on polling day,’ he said.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party presidential candidate, Mr James Nathan Nandala Mafabi, said he is preaching a strong campaign message and the importance of voting.

‘This country’s leadership can change if we all turn up and vote, and that is the message I am telling the people where I am campaigning because nothing will change unless we all come out and vote massively,’ he said.

Mr Lukwago said: ‘We are now fighting to ensure Ugandans regain their powers given to them by the Constitution in Article 1, which empowers them to decide on who should govern them, and once that is done, we shall restore people’s confidence in the elections.’

Mr Fred Ebil, the secretary general of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party, said Ugandans should vote massively so that the votes overwhelm and would be too big to be cheated.

A new community-based health insurance scheme has given hope to poor parents and their children in Wakiso District. Under the scheme dubbed Renaissance Medical Fund, parents pool together resources to cater for their children’s medical bills whenever they fall sick.

Each parent pays Shs24,000 per child per year to a pool. Parents also have the option of paying Shs500 per week or Shs2,000 per month.

Mr Innocent Luther Kater, the chief executive officer of Pearl Foundation for Human Rights and Development (PFHRD), the charity organisation behind the health insurance scheme, said: ‘We want children to stay healthy and focus on their studies. Some of the children we are supporting have been missing school due to treatable ailments.’ In addition, parents can also benefit from the same scheme at the same cost.”

Ms Marion Nakyeyune, one of the beneficiaries who is enrolled in the scheme together with her two children, said it is a turning point.

‘I used to fall sick so often but I couldn’t receive the required treatment due to financial challenges. When I joined the scheme, I was able to get treatment. My weight has increased from 38kg to 60kg, after receiving the required medical treatment,’ she said.

Ms Rose Namatovu, a mother of three children, who said her husband abandoned her, also praised the scheme. She said the scheme had enabled her to secure treatment for her son, who has sickle cell disease.

‘I have been spending about Shs6,000 per day on his medication. When he gets an attack, he is hospitalised for a week or two. This was costly. His medical bill is now cleared by the insurance scheme,’ she said.

She added that her 15-year-old son is also a beneficiary of the education fund run by the same charity organisation. Mr Robert Mutungi, the deputy chief administrative officer of Kalangala District, one of the areas where the organisation operates, said supporting the education and health of the needy is vital given that it contributes to the country’s human capital development that is needed to spur economic and social growth.

Mr Jairus Mwesigwa, the managing director of PFHRD, said the organisation also initiated a general emergency fund that supports any community member.

‘This fund was able to support several Ugandans during Covid-19 lockdown with hefty medical bills when they were out of work,’ Mr Mwesigwa said.

He called upon President to assent to the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill that was passed by Parliament to ensure universal health coverage. In 2021, Parliament passed the Bill, but the President declined to assent to it due to disagreements among stakeholders.