URSB Deregisters Over 50,000 Companies for Failure to File Returns

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has deregistered 50,003 companies from the national register after they failed to apply for restoration within the legally prescribed timeframe.

In a public notice issued on December 30, 2025, the Registrar of Companies said the affected firms were struck off the register in accordance with Section 130(6) of the Companies Act, Cap. 106. The law empowers the Registrar to deregister companies that fail to file annual returns for a continuous period of five years.

According to URSB, the affected companies had earlier been notified through gazette and public notices dated July 20, August 14 and August 30, 2023, and were given a twelve-month window to apply for restoration. However, 50,003 companies did not comply within the required period, prompting their removal from the register.

“The Registrar of Companies has deregistered 50,003 companies that failed to apply for restoration,” URSB said in the notice, adding that the full list of deregistered entities has been published on the Bureau’s official website.

URSB explained that deregistration means the affected companies are no longer legally recognised and cannot lawfully conduct business, enter contracts, or benefit from legal protections accorded to registered entities unless restored in line with the law.

The Bureau urged company directors, shareholders and the general public to verify the status of their companies by reviewing the published list on the URSB website. Affected parties seeking clarification or guidance were advised to visit or contact any URSB office across the country.

The mass deregistration exercise is part of URSB’s ongoing efforts to clean up the companies register, enhance compliance, and improve the ease of doing business in Uganda by ensuring that only active and compliant entities remain on the official register.

URSB has in recent years intensified enforcement of statutory filing requirements, repeatedly warning company directors of the legal consequences of failing to submit annual returns and maintain up-to-date records.

The Bureau said further updates would be communicated through official channels.