Executive summary

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has officially deregistered 37,702 companies from the national company register. This follows notices issued on 20 July 2023, 14 August 2023 and 30 August 2023 under Section 130(6) of the Companies Act, Cap. 106, stating that companies that had not filed their annual returns for five or more years would be struck off the register.

Affected companies were given 12 months to apply for restoration. That window has now closed, and those that did not apply have been permanently deregistered as of 18 June 2026.

Consequences

For companies on this list, the consequences are serious and immediate:

• The company loses its legal status and can no longer operate, sign contracts or own property.
• Directors and shareholders may become personally liable for company obligations.
• The company's bank accounts may be frozen or inaccessible.
• Doing business under a deregistered company name puts its owners and directors at significant legal and financial risk.
• Outstanding tax liabilities, penalties and other legal obligations remain enforceable despite deregistration.

Actions to consider now

Company owners and directors should check the URSB deregistration list as soon as possible to determine whether their company appears on the list. Access to the full list is available on the URSB official website: https://ursb.go.ug/.

Professional support may be required

If a company has been deregistered, or its compliance status is uncertain, the entity may need to obtain professional guidance on the following matters:

• The process and requirements for restoration to the companies register
• The status of any outstanding annual returns and statutory filings
• Any tax obligations, penalties or compliance exposures that may remain outstanding
• Whether restructuring, re-incorporation or other remedial options may be appropriate in the circumstances
• The need for companies that remain on the register to maintain timely annual returns and statutory filings to avoid future deregistration

Affected companies should reach out to a knowledgeable tax advisor for further information, including restoration requirements, statutory filings, tax compliance considerations and possible remedial options.