The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has acquired 80 biometric fingerprint scanners to support the ongoing transition from Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) to National Identification Numbers (NINs), with the first machines already operational in Kampala and Wakiso districts. The development is expected to make it easier for the tax authority to verify taxpayers’ identities and update their records as the country moves towards a more unified identification system.
The scanners will enable URA officials to confirm taxpayers’ identities using their fingerprints and link their national identification details to existing tax profiles. The exercise is intended to improve the accuracy of taxpayer information, reduce duplicate records and strengthen the management of tax registration across the country.URA Commissioner General John Rujoki Musinguzi said the equipment was already being used at selected locations. He noted that the rollout would be extended to upcountry stations starting October 26, 2026, allowing taxpayers outside the capital and Wakiso to access the verification service as the exercise expands.The ongoing exercise is part of the second phase of Uganda’s transition from TINs to NINs.
Under this phase, taxpayers are required to visit designated URA offices in person to authenticate their identities and confirm their personal information. Officials will verify details, including names, places of residence and other relevant biodata, before linking them to existing tax records.Uganda began the transition in July 2026 as part of a government initiative to establish a coordinated identification system. URA has also introduced prompts on its tax system encouraging users to update their information when they log in. Taxpayers are expected to ensure that their national identification details match the information in their existing tax profiles to avoid complications during the process.Employers intending to facilitate the transition for large numbers of workers will be required to submit formal requests to URA for coordinated support.
The arrangement is expected to help organisations manage the verification exercise more efficiently while ensuring that employees’ tax records are updated correctly.Musinguzi said the authority planned to acquire additional scanners to expand the service to more locations nationwide.
He also indicated that taxpayers who fail to complete the transition could face difficulties accessing certain government services and incentives linked to national identification, making timely verification important.The transition is part of wider efforts to improve tax administration and strengthen domestic revenue collection. Uganda aims to increase its tax-to-gross domestic product ratio from 14 per cent to 20 per cent, and more accurate taxpayer records are expected to support this ambition. However, the success of the programme will depend on taxpayers completing the verification exercise and URA ensuring that the necessary equipment and services are accessible across the country.
