Uganda deregisters 90,000 companies over failure to file annual returns

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has deregistered 90,000 companies after they failed to file annual returns for five consecutive years and missed the deadline to restore their status.

In a notice issued on Monday, 3 August 2026, the Registrar of Companies said the action was taken under Section 130(6) of the Companies Act, Cap 106, after affected businesses failed to comply with statutory requirements.

The companies had earlier been struck off the register through public notices issued in 2023, with a 12-month grace period given to allow them to apply for administrative restoration and regularize their affairs.

The Daily Monitor cited the URSB as saying the deregistration means the affected companies have lost their legal personality and can no longer operate as registered entities.

The bureau said deregistered companies can no longer enter into contracts, open bank accounts, sue or be sued, or conduct business under their registered names.

The move also affects company name protection, as deregistered entities’ names return to the public domain and may be reserved or registered by other parties.

URSB official Nabende warned business owners about the consequences of losing their registered names.

“When your company is deregistered, you lose the legal protection of that name. Anyone can now take it. The only way to get it back is through a court process, and that is expensive,” Nabende said.

The bureau said many of the affected companies were removed due to non-compliance rather than formal closure, including businesses that were registered but never became operational or those operating informally while ignoring statutory obligations.

URSB said former directors or stakeholders who still have assets, property, or pending contracts linked to deregistered companies must now seek reinstatement through the High Court.

The bureau advised active companies to file annual returns on time and keep their contact details updated to avoid similar penalties.

URSB said the exercise is part of efforts to clean up Uganda’s company register and strengthen compliance with corporate reporting requirements.