Uganda Rolls Out Mandatory National ID Integration for Tax and Legal Proceedings
KAMPALA – In a sweeping move to centralize citizen identification, the Ugandan government has announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) will become the primary identifier for tax payments and court filings. The initiative, officially announced on November 11, 2025, is set to streamline government services but has immediately drawn criticism over privacy and exclusion.
The dual-pronged rollout affects both the financial and judicial sectors. The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) confirmed via a social media post that the Tax Procedures Code Amendment Bill will see the NIN replace the existing Tax Identification Number (TIN) starting in July 2025.
“Soon and very soon your NIN will be your TIN…” the URA posted, adding that the change “will enable you to conduct all payments, licenses and registrations using one channel.”
Simultaneously, the judiciary has issued an internal memo mandating the inclusion of NINs and photocopies of national ID cards for all affidavits and witness statements filed in court. The directive, signed by Deputy Registrar Waninda Fred K.B., is described as an attempt to “enhance the integrity” of legal evidence.
While the government promotes the integration as a step towards efficiency and improved compliance, critics are raising alarms. The main concerns center on the potential for increased state surveillance, data privacy risks in the absence of robust data protection laws, and the exclusion of marginalized groups.
It is estimated that over 10 million people in Uganda, including rural residents and refugees, are not registered in the national ID database. For these individuals, accessing essential services like the judicial system or formalizing their tax status could become significantly more difficult.
The push towards a single, multi-purpose ID reflects a growing trend in digital governance across East Africa, but the rapid implementation in Uganda is set to test the balance between administrative convenience and fundamental citizen rights.
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