Govt to inject Shs10b in URSB
Justice minister Kahinda Otafiire addresses the newly elected board of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau during their inauguration in Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY DOMINIC BUKENYA
What you need to know:
Purpose. The money is meant to boost the agency’s service delivery.
Kampala. The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) will receive Shs10 billion from government to boost its delivery of services, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister said yesterday.
Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire said a request had been made to the Ministry of Finance to set aside the aforementioned money.
URSB is a statutory body that was created to take over the functions of the Registrar general’s office under the Ministry of Justice. Its mandate entails registration of businesses, civil registration and official receivership in liquidation and bankruptcy cases.
Maj Gen Otafiire said the money will fund initiatives such as reforming the registration of services through automation, establishing a one-stop-centre for incorporation of businesses, opening more regional offices and setting up a permanent home for the body.
“Today, URSB earns Shs20 billion annually in revenue. A few years back, it was raking in Shs4 billion. So with a shot in the arm, we have the capacity to rake in as much as Shs50 billion annually,” said the Justice minister.
Mr Otafire tasked the new board to operationalise the establishment of a one stop centre and opening new regional offices. He also asked the board to assess and ensure the bureau has the right human resource. “I do not want be in acting capacity, one is either permanent or not with the bureau,” he said
He made the remarks during the inauguration of the government agency’s new board of directors yesterday. The seven-member board was appointed by the minister on November 5, last year to serve a period of three years.
Mr Francis Butagira, who will chair the new board, said there was need for the bureau to incorporate e – registration, e – payment and e- licensing in order to minimise human contact.
“The country has to be sold as one where one can open up a business in a few days and not months,” said Mr Butagira.
Analysts have urged Uganda to emulate Rwanda which has become the favourite destination for investment because of the ease in registering a company, among other strengths. Incorporation of a company in the neighbouring country can be concluded in six hours.
New board members
The new board members are Mr Francis Butagira, Mr Patrick Mutabwire, the Acting Permanent Secretary ministry of local government, Ms Christine Kahwa, Mr Moses Kaggwa, Mr Moses Okailangole, Mr Swalik Wasswa Musokoyi and Mr Ben Anyama.
