URA Takes Real Estate Tax Services Closer to Kampala’s Property Market

KAMPALA. Uganda Revenue Authority has moved its specialised Real Estate Tax Office from its headquarters in Nakawa to RR Pearl Tower One on Yusuf Lule Road, bringing a dedicated tax service closer to one of the capital’s busiest commercial areas.

The relocation took effect on September 7, 2026, with the new office occupying the ninth floor of the building opposite the Ministry of Health headquarters. URA said the move is intended to make access to real estate tax services more convenient for taxpayers and improve service delivery.

For property owners, developers, landlords and other people dealing with real estate transactions, the change means that specialised assistance will now be available at the new location rather than at the authority’s Nakawa headquarters.

The decision comes as Uganda’s property sector continues to expand. Kampala’s skyline has changed rapidly over the past years, with new commercial buildings, residential developments and mixed use properties creating a larger and more complicated tax base for the government.

Real estate generates several tax obligations, making the sector increasingly important to domestic revenue mobilisation. As more property is developed and transactions become more sophisticated, tax administration must keep pace with the people and businesses expected to comply.

URA’s choice of a prominent central location can therefore be viewed as an attempt to reduce one of the practical barriers that sometimes discourage taxpayers from seeking clarification. A specialised office located close to major business activity can provide direct contact for people dealing with property related tax questions.

The choice of building has also attracted attention because RR Pearl Tower One is owned by businessman Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, whose group has extensive interests in real estate. The arrangement creates an unusual intersection between a public tax administration office and a major private property portfolio.

RR Pearl is also a name associated with the Ruparelia family and honours the late Rajiv Ruparelia, who was closely involved in the family business and philanthropic activities before his death in 2026. The building consequently carries both a commercial identity and a family association.

For URA, however, the immediate concern is service delivery rather than symbolism. The authority has been working to improve voluntary compliance and strengthen the collection of domestic revenue, with property taxation forming part of that wider effort.

The real estate sector presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Its rapid growth means there is more taxable economic activity, but it also creates a wider range of properties, ownership arrangements and transactions that must be properly assessed.

A dedicated office can help bridge that gap by providing taxpayers with a point of contact for registration, assessment, clarification and other services associated with real estate taxation. Easier access does not remove taxpayers’ obligations, but it can make compliance less difficult to navigate.

URA has advised taxpayers who previously visited the Nakawa office to take note of the new location and use RR Pearl Tower One for services offered by the Real Estate Tax Office. The effectiveness of the move will ultimately depend on whether taxpayers experience faster assistance, clearer guidance and better service.

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