URSB Opens New Branch to Serve Greater Masaka Region
By Angela Nyakuni
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Yesterday opened a new branch in Masaka City to serve the Greater Masaka Region. With the opening of this branch, URSB now has a total of 5 Regional branches with others being in Mbarara, Mbale, Arua and Gulu.
The headquarters including 3 branch offices at Posta, Sekaziga House and Twed Plaza in Kampala City. The Masaka Branch shall offer URSB’s entire spectrum of services with the vision of helping enterprising Ugandans from across the region to take full advantage of easy access to services and ease the doing of business to capture the growing opportunities in the central region which is the country’s new economic engine.
This newest full service branch located at Plot 28, Edward Avenue, Mayor’s Chambers, started its initial operations on 09th March, 2021 and covers over 10 districts including Lyantonde, Sembabule, Rakai, Kyotera, Kalungu, Lwengo, Bukomansimbi, Kalangala, Masaka district as well as Masaka City.
Speaking at the grand opening, Hon. Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, the Minister of Justice & Constitutional Affairs who was also the Chief Guest said the government was committed to ensuring that citizens are provided with services in order to spur socio-economic development.
“Masaka is very vital in our economy, as well as a priority city in Uganda. Under President Museveni's economic stimulus initiatives, this region is endowed with immense opportunities that if tapped can be Uganda’s economic hub.
By setting up an office here, URSB is making a crucial step on its path to expanding its nation-building services to reach a multitude of citizens and support development plans as envisioned in our Vision 2040 strategy that prioritizes spread of infrastructure that promotes national transformation.”
This also signifies a pioneering move in government’s plans to develop social and economic capacity in high potential regions through provision of accessible services,” Kamuntu said.
Ambassador Francis Butagira, the Board Chairman added that URSB’s Strategic Development Plan II focuses on areas that support the business environment and Masaka had been identified as a viable region to set up. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited to be opening our Masaka branch to serve more clients easily.
Along with the soon to be launched Uganda Business Facilitation Centre which will give URSB, Uganda Investment Authority; Capital Markets Authority permanent occupation under the One Stop Centre initiative, we are pleased to expand our presence in this region and introduce our services to the residents and business owners of these vibrant communities,” Amb. Butagira concluded.
Mercy Kainobwisho, the Registrar General on her part said the branch opening was in response
to growing demand for services in the region. “URSB has decided to open this branch here after we sensed the opportunities arising from the economic development in the region. We will ride on the Masaka office to make our contributions to the economic development of the broader central region and offer support to local enterprises, while leveraging on our other range of services to stimulate positive livelihoods for our clients.
Together with the offices in Kampala and Mbarara, the new office will enable us to create a cohesive service network and further strengthen our service capabilities in this region,” the Registrar General said.
Other high profile dignitaries at the event included the State Minister for ICT Hon. Judith Nabakooba, Ministry of ICT; National Guidance Permanent Secretary Moses Wataasa, members of Parliament, URSB Board Members, the Resident City Commissioner Masaka, and the outgoing Mayor.
The launch was also preceded by a week-long business clinic at Liberation Grounds in Masaka Municipality at which URSB together with other partner Government Agencies showcased their services to the residents. URSB is a Government agency established by an Act of Parliament with a nationwide mandate to register businesses, marriages, intellectual property rights, security interests in moveable assets and regulation of insolvency processes.