President Museveni has signed into law nine critical bills aimed at enhancing Uganda’s domestic revenue collection, trade regulation, and budget implementation as the country enters the new fiscal year.
The President announced the development in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, June 30, 2025, emphasizing the importance of the legislative reforms in strengthening the country’s fiscal management and economic stability.
“Today, I have signed the following bills into law,” Museveni wrote, listing the acts that now officially take effect: the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2025; the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Act, 2025; the Excise Duty (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 2025; the Tax Procedures Code (Amendment) Act, 2025; the Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2025; the Hides and Skins (Export Duty) (Amendment) Act, 2025; an unnamed amendment Act of 2005; the External Trade (Amendment) Act, 2025; and the Appropriation Act, 2025.
These legislative updates form a central part of the government’s 2025/2026 fiscal strategy, enabling the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and related institutions to enforce revised tax structures, eliminate inefficiencies, and close revenue leaks.
Among the key reforms is the Appropriation Act, which provides legal authority for the government to spend public funds as allocated in the newly approved national budget. The Supplementary Appropriation Act addresses additional funding needs for government programs that arose outside of the original budget.
Meanwhile, amendments to the VAT, Stamp Duty, Excise Duty, and Tax Procedures Code Acts are expected to refine Uganda’s tax regime — adjusting rates, closing loopholes, and simplifying enforcement mechanisms.
Trade-focused legislation such as the External Trade (Amendment) Act and the Hides and Skins (Export Duty) (Amendment) Act signal government intent to regulate exports more strategically and maximise value from key sectors.
Finance and legal experts have welcomed the move as timely and crucial to ensuring the smooth execution of the budget, though implementation details are expected to follow in regulations issued by the Ministry of Finance.
The signing of the laws comes just days after the Parliament passed the national budget for financial year 2025/26, setting the stage for the rollout of government priorities in infrastructure, education, health, and security.
