The Ministry of Local Government is promoting the Electronic Local Government Revenue Collection System, E-LogRev, as a groundbreaking development to modernize and enhance revenue collection in urban areas.
E-LogRev employs technological innovations to automate various aspects of revenue management, including billing, taxpayer registration, assessment, payment, reconciliation, enforcement, and reporting for local government units. The system aims to streamline collection processes, double revenue generation, and eliminate longstanding issues that have hindered transparency and accountability in urban revenue collection.
In a significant move towards improving revenue collection in cities, the local government ministry launched the program in Mbale city last week, setting an example for other local governments and cities in Uganda.
During the launch event, City Clerk Ambrose Ochen expressed optimism that E-LogRev would effectively address persistent issues that have delayed accountability in the city’s revenue collection across different divisions. He highlighted the potential for E-LogRev to usher in a new era of transparency and efficiency in Mbale City’s governance.
Furthermore, the Mbale Resident City Commissioner, Rex Achila, oversaw a five-day training program for technical workers from various city divisions, including the Industrial Division and the Northern Division. The training was designed to ensure a seamless transition from the old system to E-LogRev and equipped technical teams with the knowledge and skills to operate the new system efficiently.
As part of the transition, the RCC provided essential equipment, such as laptops, printers, and internet routers, to division representatives. These tools are intended to facilitate local revenue collection using E-LogRev.
City councillor Abdul Aziz Sharaf, representing the mayor, Kassim Namugali, noted that they anticipate a substantial increase in revenue collection, potentially raising quarterly revenue from UGX 314 million to around UGX 700 million. This revenue boost aligns with the city’s plan to enhance domestic revenue mobilization and invest in transformative projects to improve service delivery.
