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Uganda NRIs · Capital Gains Tax

Capital gains tax on Indian shares and mutual funds for NRIs in Uganda

Selling Indian equity or mutual funds from Uganda triggers Indian capital-gains tax — here's the rate, the AMC withholding, and how to reclaim the excess.

If you invest in Indian listed shares or mutual funds while living in Uganda, gains on those holdings are taxed in India — under the India-Uganda treaty, India keeps the right to tax gains on Indian securities (Article 13(5): India taxes gains on shares of an Indian company), so the headline long-term rate stays at 12.5%. When you redeem, your broker or AMC withholds tax on the gain before paying you, often at a flat rate that runs ahead of what you actually owe once the ₹1.25 lakh long-term exemption and your holding period are applied. The over-withheld amount comes back through your Indian return.

India-Uganda key facts: capital gains tax

Default Section 195 rate12.5%
India-Uganda DTAA treaty rate12.5%
Your saving via the treatyNo rate reduction — see note below
Treaty article / basisArticle 13(5): India taxes gains on shares of an Indian company
Your TRC issuing authorityUganda Revenue Authority (URA)

Rates reflect India's domestic Section 195 withholding and the India-Uganda treaty. Surcharge and cess apply on top where relevant.

How it works on the India side

Indian capital-gains tax on equity and equity mutual funds follows Sections 111A and 112A: long-term gains (held over a year) are taxed at 12.5% above a ₹1.25 lakh annual exemption, and short-term gains at 20%, after the Budget 2024 changes. For an NRI, the AMC or broker deducts TDS on the gain at redemption — and because they apply a flat slab without your personal exemption or full holding-period detail, the deduction is frequently more than your real liability.

The correction happens on your return. You compute the gain properly across all your folios and brokers, apply the exemption and the right rate per holding period, and set the TDS already deducted against it. Where the TDS exceeded the actual tax — which is common once the exemption is applied — the excess is refunded. Getting the cost basis right across multiple brokers is the part that most often goes wrong.

What changes because you live in Uganda

Ugandan residents are taxed on worldwide income at rates up to 40%, with a foreign tax credit for the Indian tax paid. The certificate you need for the treaty rate is the Uganda Revenue Authority tax residency certificate, not the far more expensive immigration residence permit, which is a common and costly mix-up. Other income not covered by a specific treaty article is taxable only in Uganda, so India cannot reach it.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions from Uganda NRIs

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Read the full guide, or see your country's complete picture

Capital Gains Tax sorted, by an Indian CA who works with Uganda NRIs

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