By Hannah Marion Namukasa
President Yoweri Museveni has announced the formation of a new oversight unit aimed at enhancing operations within the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and tackling corruption within the tax administration system. The State House Revenue Intelligence and Strategic Operations Unit, as detailed in a statement from the Presidential Press Unit released on Friday, marks a significant move to bolster revenue collection efforts and ensure transparency in financial governance.
The unit will be headed by David Kalemera, who has been appointed as a senior Presidential advisor for this role. Its mandate includes monitoring URA activities closely to identify and eliminate revenue leakages while rooting out instances of corruption that undermine tax compliance and collection.
“The creation of this unit underscores our commitment to closing revenue leakages and enhancing efficiency within the tax administration system,” the statement emphasized. President Museveni has previously established several units under State House, including the State House Monitoring Unit (SHACU), the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, and the State House Investors Protection Unit.
While these units have aimed to streamline governance and protect investor interests, they have faced criticism for potentially overlapping with existing government agencies such as the Inspectorate of Government. Critics have also pointed out concerns regarding the necessity and effectiveness of these additional layers of oversight.
Despite these criticisms, the State House has defended the creation of the new revenue oversight unit as a necessary step to strengthen institutional accountability and ensure that tax revenues are effectively utilized for national development priorities. The unit’s establishment aligns with ongoing efforts to improve Uganda’s fiscal management and economic resilience amid evolving global and domestic challenges.
