DPP’s office benchmarks at URSB: Strengthening partnerships for business integrity
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) paid a benchmarking visit to the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), reinforcing the strong collaboration between the two institutions in combating business and financial crime.
Welcoming the delegation, Registrar General, Ms. Mercy .K. Kainobwisho, acknowledged the presence of the esteemed guests and URSB staff, expressing her delight at the reunion with familiar faces, some of whom were her former classmates.
Recalling her internship days at the DPP’s office at Workers House, the Registrar General reflected on the valuable exposure she gained, although she humorously noted that criminal law was not her calling leaving that path to her sister. However, her deep connection to the DPP’s office has remained strong over the years.
She highlighted URSB’s evolving mandate, which now primarily focuses on Intellectual Property, Business Registration and Insolvency, following the handover of civil rights responsibilities to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
Drawing an analogy between businesses and marriages, she noted how both start with excitement and love but can sometimes lead to disputes. URSB plays a key role in resolving business conflicts, facilitating legal share transfers, and simplifying business closures.
Ms. Kainobwisho added that the most significant reforms at URSB has been digitisation and automation, drastically reducing the business registration process from weeks to under three hours.
She further noted URSB’s commitment to compliance and accountability, evidenced by its consistent quarterly reports to the DPP and strict monitoring of business and financial crimes.
“This vigilance has led to the striking off of tens of thousands of inactive companies, resulting in a clean and credible business register. In Uganda, we strive for strong partnerships and stakeholder engagement to create a transparent, well-regulated business environment,” she concluded.
The visit reaffirmed the critical role of collaboration between URSB and the DPP’s office in fostering a business-friendly and legally compliant Uganda.
