By Jumah Kakomo
The Uganda revenue authority on 23rd November, 2023 appreciated various Taxpayers by awarding them under the theme “celebrating the Economic Heroes of Uganda.’
During the awarding ceremony, the commissioner General of the Authority John Rujoki Musinguzi noted that there is a deep sense of gratitude and admiration for each and every taxpayer attending the ceremony but not just about numbers and financial transactions.
“It’s about the collective commitment to building a better society. I am honored to express our heartfelt appreciation to all the individuals and businesses who have fulfilled their civic duty by paying taxes,” Musinguzi stated.
He says taxpayers are the unsung economic heroes of the country, contributing to the foundation upon which shared aspirations are built. He adds that taxpayers’ willingness to contribute their hard-earned income is not merely a legal obligation but a testament to their dedication to the well-being of the nation.
“The funds collected through taxation serve as the foundation of our public services, Rujoki said.
He further disclosed that every tax payment is a demonstration of citizenship, a tangible expression of their belief in the importance of a functioning society.
“It is through your collective contributions that we are able to bridge gaps, address challenges, and strive towards a future that is brighter and more equitable for everyone,” Musinguzi added.
Musinguzi also revealed that in addition to funding essential services, taxpayers’ payments contribute to the stability and growth of the local economy, they provide the resources necessary for job creation, innovation, and the development of a thriving business environment.
“Your commitment to financial responsibility not only benefits the community today but also lays the groundwork for a sustainable and prosperous future, we understand that paying taxes is not always an easy task, and we acknowledge the sacrifices many of you make to fulfill this responsibility. Your dedication does not go unnoticed, Musinguzi revealed.
It should be noted that the Hon. Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. MatiaKasaija, while launching the URA digital strategy last month, tasked URA to raise the tax to GDP from the current 14% to 20% in the next four years.
According to Musinguzi, once they achieve this milestone, they should be able to fund the national budget without relying on external donors. Developed countries with a high tax-to-GDP ably fund their national budgets without borrowing. For instance, Belgium has 48.0 %, Austria 45.6 %, Finland 43.6 %, Greece 43.1 % and Italy 42.9 %.
“The journey of economic transformation is not a one man’s job but for us all to work together to deliver our country to economic independence, ” Musinguzi stated.
“As we move forward, let us continue to work together to build a community that reflects our shared values and aspirations. Your role as taxpayers is pivotal in shaping the future, and we are confident that, with your continued support, we will overcome challenges and achieve new heights,”Musinguzi added.
The prime minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja thanked the Management and Staff of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), who conceived this idea of not only appreciating the Taxpayers through mere words but also choosing to take action through a series of events marking the taxpayer appreciation season.
She says she is well informed that a number of activities have taken place over a month, including the annual Thanksgiving event, the launch of the URA digital transformation journey, the Authorized economic operator 10-year anniversary, the launch of the URA regional office in Masaka and the URA Service Excellence week among others which all aim to ensure effective service delivery and raise revenue.
“John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, said that, and I quote, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”I urge the Management and staff of URA to live by what you have demonstrated to us during this season. The selflessness of service does not end by holding events but also by showing the public a service-related approach in all you do, “Nabbanja said.
She adds that whereas it is the duty of the government (through URA) to collect taxes, this duty gives the Government an obligation to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them, and show the results in a transparent way.
“The taxpayer should know how their money is being used, and indeed, they have a right to demand services from the Government. This is a key element of Governance, Accountability and Service Delivery to the public. I want to assure you that the Government is committed to supporting you by ensuring that the Revenue collected is properly utilized, “Nabbanja added.
Nabbanja also revealed that URA faces challenges in tax administration just as any institution would face, but challenges make them stronger as they stride through them, overcome them and learn lessons from them and the government will always be supportive of every venture URA undertakes.
In the same vein, Nabbanja congratulated the Taxpayer Appreciation 2023 awardees for their vigilance in ensuring that they pay their taxes in the right amounts and on time in an effective manner, contributing to the continuous economic growth and development of this country.
“Your contribution is much appreciated, and you are an inspiration to others. You are the Men and Women Building Uganda. Your tax compliance provides a beacon of hope to those beginning businesses and also our young ones, whom we anticipate to emulate from you,”Nabbanja said.
The Chairman Board of Directors Uganda Revenue Authority
Juma Kisaame applauded all the awardees for making Uganda great and easing their efforts in revenue collection when you pay their taxes on time and meet their obligations as required.
He says URA’s outstanding performance of 100.23% exhibited in the financial year 2022/2023 calls for applauding the compliant taxpayers for their contribution towards transformational revenue mobilization. He adds that over the years, URA has registered year on year revenue growth in tax collection. For example, last financial year alone, we posted 16.4% year on year growth with collections of UGX 25,209.05 billion compared to the financial year 2021/2022 which had a 12.14% growth with collections of UGX 21.062 billion.
”This excellent performance clearly shows how taxpayers have enabled us to dispute economic speculations despite the tough business environment. URA has soared because of the undoubtable support from diligent taxpayers and we don’t take that for granted,” Juma said.
He says taxpayers have spurred URA towards cementing the success registered in adoption of several innovations such as EFRIS for the VAT registered taxpayers, DTS for Local excise collections from manufacturers and importers of gazette products, BWIMS for efficient warehouse management, USSD code that is targeting improvement in the collections from the presumptive category and advanced income tax collections, and automated ledger reconciliation that improves transparency and tax compliance, among many others.
In a bid to collect over UGX 29.2 trillion revenue for financial year 2023/2024, Juma urged everyone to spread the word and encourage other taxpayers to embrace the waiver on interest and penalties that allows taxpayers to pay only the principal tax of their liabilities before this grace period expires on December 31, 2023.
LIST OF AWARDEES – TPAD 2023
| SN | Category | Selected taxpayer |
| A | Excel Award | |
| i) | Winner | Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda Limited |
| ii) | 1st Runner Up | Chop Gaming Ltd |
| iii) | 2nd Runner Up | Bank of Baroda Uganda Ltd |
| B | Vantage Award | |
| i) | Metro Non-Individual | Uzima Chicken Limited |
| ii) | Metro Individual | Mr. Chetan Kumar Dhattani |
| iii) | Central Non-Individual | Mildmay Uganda Institute of Health Sciences |
| iv) | Central Individual | Mr. Darshan Mehta Mukesh |
| v) | Eastern Non-Individual | Kach-Ap-Global Forwarders Ltd |
| vi) | Eastern Individual | Mr. Wilson Mayamba |
| vii) | Northeastern Non-Individual | GiveDirectly |
| viii) | Northeastern Individual | Mr. Ogera Ochabal Wilberd |
| ix) | Midwestern Non-Individual | Erianah Glass Matt & Hardware – SMC Limited |
| x) | Midwestern Individual | Mr. Govind Pindoriya Khimji |
| xi) | Southwestern Non-Individual | Church of Uganda Kisiizi Hospital |
| xii) | Southwestern Individual | Mr. Bernard Mugarura |
| xiii) | Northern Non-Individual | Restore Leadership High School Limited |
| xiv) | Northern Individual | Mr. Richard Canopwonya Lander |
| xv) | West Nile Non-Individual | Noble Unit (U) Limited |
| xvi) | West Nile Individual | Mr. Khemis Yunus |
| xvii) | MTO Non-Individual | Education Development Center Inc. |
| D | Commissioner General’s Award | |
| i) | CG’s Award | Grant Thornton Uganda |
| ii) | CG’s Award | Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa – Ankole Diocesan Bishop |
