By Andrew Irumba Katusabe
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has signed into law a set of nine crucial bills aimed at strengthening Uganda’s tax system, trade framework, and public expenditure controls for the financial year 2025. The announcement was made on the night of June 30, 2025, through his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
Among the signed bills are amendments to Value Added Tax, Stamp Duty, Excise Duty, and other legislation that will significantly shape Uganda’s revenue and economic direction over the coming year.
- The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2025: Updates Uganda’s VAT framework to improve compliance, streamline tax collection, and possibly widen the tax base.
- The Stamp Duty (Amendment) Act, 2025: Adjusts the stamp duty regime, including new rates, exemptions, and instruments subject to duty.
- The Excise Duty (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 2025: Revises taxes on excisable goods and services such as beverages, fuel, cosmetics, and digital services.
- The Tax Procedures Code (Amendment) Act, 2025: Enhances the Uganda Revenue Authority’s powers in enforcement, administration, and auditing of tax compliance.
- The Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2025: Legalizes additional government spending that was not initially planned in the national budget.
- The Hides and Skins (Export Duty) Act: Introduces or adjusts duties on the export of raw hides and skins to encourage value addition within Uganda.
- (Amendment) Act, 2025:
- The External Trade (Amendment) Act, 2025: Reforms trade policy, potentially affecting imports, exports, licensing, and cross-border trade with regional and global partners.
- The Appropriation Act, 2025: Approves the overall allocation and spending of public funds for government operations in the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
These legislative changes mark a significant shift in fiscal governance as Uganda prepares to roll out a new budget cycle. They are expected to impact businesses, consumers, exporters, and investors alike, as the government tightens tax laws while boosting transparency and accountability in public finance management.
