King Rwoth Ubimu Phillip Rauni Olarker III of the Alur Kingdom has requested the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to partner with the Kingdom in providing tax education to the West Nile region. He emphasized that the lack of basic information and simple guidelines on taxes makes it difficult for people to comply with tax laws.
“The people of West Nile are not uncooperative; they just need to be educated in a friendly manner to understand that URA is not an enemy,” the King said. He suggested that URA should work with local leaders and communicate tax information in the local languages to make it more accessible.
King Olarker also mentioned that there are members of his cabinet responsible for revenue mobilization. By equipping them with the necessary tax knowledge, they can share this information regularly and improve relationships with the people.
The King expressed his dissatisfaction with the level of service delivery in West Nile. He pointed out that poor roads, high poverty levels, and a lack of major economic activities contribute to the people’s reluctance to pay taxes. He argued that better services and development projects would encourage people to pay taxes willingly.
Ajiga Mansur, who oversees enforcement in Arua, thanked the King for his hospitality and urged him to support URA in fighting issues like smuggling, which are common in the region. Mansur highlighted that the West Nile region is known for smuggling fuel and dangerous contraband items, as well as widespread ignorance about taxes. He mentioned that the enforcement team faces hostility from the community and requested local leaders to take an interest in condemning such activities.
Clare Sanyu, the Stakeholder Coordinator for the West Nile region, emphasized the importance of the King’s support. She noted that influential figures like King Olarker could help bridge the gap between URA and the local population. She also asked the King to inform his subjects about the ongoing motor vehicle registration campaign.
“The deadline for promotional consideration for motorcycle registration is June 30, 2024, but many people are still riding motorcycles without registration numbers. We hope you can convey this message to your people,” Sanyu said.
