By KT Reporter
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has launched a vigorous campaign to strengthen internal integrity as a key strategy for improving tax compliance, enabling the authority to achieve the country’s ambitious revenue collection targets. John Tinka Katungwesi, Commissioner of the URA Tax Academy, says the initiative aims to close all leakages and prevent revenue losses.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Masaka City, Tinka noted that while URA is mandated to collect the required revenues from taxpayers, it also has a duty to maintain high levels of transparency to ensure that all collected funds are properly accounted for. He explained that the campaign involves establishing and strengthening partnerships with the public to foster a culture of integrity, build a sustainable revenue mobilization strategy, and eliminate corrupt practices.
“We want the public to collaborate with URA by reporting any forms of corruption among our staff and acting as goodwill ambassadors who resist the temptation of offering bribes. If clients do not give bribes, there will be nothing for anyone to take,” he said. Tinka emphasized that with this year’s revenue collection target set at 40 trillion shillings, up from 32 trillion shillings in the previous fiscal year, the authority must deepen internal administrative efficiencies, streamline processes, and enhance productivity.
He further noted that the campaign seeks to actively involve the public in safeguarding national revenues by encouraging voluntary reporting of tax evasion.
Ronald Bbaale Mugera, Chairperson of the Masaka Business Community, urged the tax body to avoid repressive measures when engaging ordinary taxpayers, warning that disruptive approaches could strain relationships and undermine the campaign’s objectives. In addition to enforcing high ethical standards among staff, Mugera called on the URA Tax Academy to develop and implement a continuous public sensitization framework to improve compliance. He noted that the authority often targets only a small percentage of the eligible tax base, largely because many taxpayers are not fully aware of their civic responsibility to pay taxes.
Moses Mbaaga Kizito, Chairperson of Kinoni Town Council, also urged URA management to establish mechanisms to eliminate tax brokers, whom he blames for creating unnecessary conflicts among taxpayers by exaggerating evaluations for personal gain. He argued that the government and taxpayers are losing significant sums to unscrupulous brokers, who often pose as agents in processes related to obtaining development plan approvals in urban local councils.
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