Registering Your Business Name with URSB
Registering a sole proprietorship/business name at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) costs UGX 35,000 for name reservation plus UGX 25,000 for official registration. You can do this without a lawyer through the URSB Online Business Registration System (OBRS) using your National ID. The OBRS portal (`obrs.ursb.go.ug`) allows name search, document uploads, and payments entirely online to check if your preferred name is already taken.
Business Name vs. Limited Company
A business name (sole proprietorship) means no legal separation between you and your business, making you personally liable for debts. A Limited Company (LTD), however, creates a separate legal entity, protecting personal assets. While not always strictly enforced for micro-vendors, registering your market stall name with URSB can protect your brand and open doors to formal bank loans and government grants.
Company Registration: Documents and Timelines
Business name registration through OBRS typically takes 1–3 working days. Company incorporation, however, usually takes 3–7 working days after submitting all required documents. For company registration, you'll need National IDs, passport photos, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Form S.18, and proof of payment for stamp duty and registration fees.
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