Taxpayers in the Mukono region are urging the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to change how they educate people about taxes. They want URA to move away from holding meetings in hotels and focus on reaching out to taxpayers who need information about VAT, EFRIS, TIN operations, and tax calculation. This change is seen as a way to make revenue collection more transparent and to help tax collectors and taxpayers understand each other better.
URA organized a “Tax Baraza” meeting in Mukono as part of a nationwide campaign to appreciate taxpayers for their contributions. People from different sectors, including individuals, organizations, companies, trader associations, and political and religious leaders from Buyikwe, Kayunga, Mukono, and Wakiso districts, attended this event.
However, many attendees were not satisfied with how URA communicates and raises awareness about taxes. Vincent Lukwago, the Chairperson of the Mukono Traders’ Association, said that unclear tax rules and a lack of awareness have led to the closure of many businesses in the region. He emphasized the need for grassroots communication and a simpler way of explaining taxes, particularly regarding TIN billing.
Lukwago pointed out various issues, including ongoing billing of individuals who got a TIN for specific purposes and concerns about the EFRIS system. He stressed the importance of clear communication and extensive education to address these problems. Lukwago also suggested that URA should engage directly with taxpayers rather than relying only on hotel meetings, which may not be accessible to everyone.
Betty Nambooze, the Mukono Municipality legislator, had concerns about how URA collects taxes. She suggested adopting a more transparent British tax system since Uganda is a member of the Commonwealth. Nambooze questioned the presumptive tax strategy and how URA deals with tax debts, even when a business is no longer operational.
She also warned about the risk of fraudsters hacking into URA’s systems and inflating tax amounts, sometimes involving URA employees. Nambooze called for changes in URA’s digital system to benefit all taxpayers.
Monsignor Richard Kayondo, the Vicar General of the Lugazi Diocese, a tax-paying entity in the region, stressed the importance of honesty in tax compliance. He quoted a biblical verse (Romans 13:3) to highlight the significance of living honestly to avoid fear of authority. Kayondo also asked URA to find solutions to the issues related to presumptive tax.
In response, Ibrahim Bbosa, the Assistant Commissioner for Corporate and Public Affairs, acknowledged that there are problems in how taxes are administered, which sometimes cause conflicts between taxpayers and collectors. URA is changing its approach from enforcement to engaging with taxpayers to improve their relationship.
During the meeting, URA recognized more than ten taxpayers for consistently paying their taxes, marking a positive step toward strengthening the tax system in the region.
