By Jumah Kakomo
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has questioned a reported government proposal to grant the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) access to individuals’ and businesses’ bank account information, warning that the move could undermine financial privacy and public confidence in the banking sector.
Robert Franco Centenary, the FDC vice chairman in charge of Western Uganda, raised the concerns on Monday at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, saying the proposed measure should be backed by a clear legal framework and safeguards against the misuse of personal financial information.
Centenary said the party recognised the importance of tax collection in financing public services but insisted that revenue mobilisation must respect citizens’ constitutional rights.
“Tax collection must be conducted within the law, with respect for citizens’ constitutional rights and appropriate safeguards for personal financial information,” he said.
His remarks follow reports that State Minister for Finance Amos Rugoloobi informed Parliament that the government intended to proceed with a proposal to grant URA access to bank account information belonging to individuals and businesses.
Centenary questioned how the proposed arrangement would distinguish taxable income from other deposits, such as salaries, personal savings, family support and remittances.
He urged the government to clarify the legal basis for the proposed access, the categories of financial information URA would be permitted to obtain and the safeguards that would regulate its use.
The FDC official opposed what he described as blanket access to financial records, warning that inadequate controls could expose sensitive information to unauthorised disclosure or misuse.
He cited Article 27 of the Constitution, which protects the right to privacy, and the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019, arguing that the proposal should be assessed against the applicable legal framework.
However, the precise legal implications would depend on the proposal’s wording, the statutory powers available to URA and any applicable legal exceptions.
Centenary also referred to previous legal disputes involving URA requests for bank account information, urging the government to consider relevant court decisions and subsequent legal developments before proceeding.
“The responsibility to collect taxes does not remove the government’s obligation to respect the law and protect citizens’ rights,” he said.
Beyond privacy concerns, the FDC linked the proposal to wider economic pressures affecting households and businesses, including unemployment, the rising cost of living and increasing operating expenses.
Centenary said economic policies should encourage investment, business growth and job creation. He also called on the government to explain the factors behind fuel price increases and exchange-rate pressures and outline measures to cushion their effects.
He questioned whether public expenditure was delivering sufficient benefits to taxpayers, arguing that confidence in the tax system depended partly on the responsible and transparent management of public resources.
According to Centenary, improving tax compliance requires more than enforcement. He called for fair tax administration, action against tax evasion through lawful procedures, stronger public financial management and policies that enable businesses to expand and create jobs.
He said citizens would have greater confidence in meeting their tax obligations if public revenue were managed transparently and translated into essential services, including healthcare, education, roads and security.
The FDC also raised concerns about governance and the investment climate, citing political uncertainty, reports of arbitrary arrests and the Protection of Sovereignty Act.
The party argued that these issues should be considered in assessing the broader environment for investment and economic activity in Uganda, adding to its call for economic policies that balance revenue collection with the protection of citizens’ rights and the promotion of business growth.
