At least 22 individuals and companies have been awarded as the most compliant taxpayers in the country. The group was awarded during the 17th Taxpayer appreciation day at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) headquarters.
URA has registered year on year revenue growth in tax collection. The last financial year, URA posted 16.4% year on year growth with collections of Shs25,209.05 billion compared to the financial year 2021/2022 which had a 12.14% growth with collections of Shs21.062 billion.
Recognized under; Commissioner General’s Strategic Partner of the Year, Vantage and excellent, the awardees include; Cocacola, the top taxpayer of the years; Rt Rev Assoc Professor Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, Bishop of Ankole Diocese; Grant Thornton; Wilson Mayamba; Katch Ap Global Forwarders Limited, Richard Canopwonya Lander and others.
Speaking at the awarding ceremony, John R. Musinguzi, the Commissioner General of URA said every tax is a demonstration of citizenship, a tangible expression of your 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 toward a future that is brighter and more equitable for everyone.
“Taxpayers are the unsung economic heroes of our country, contributing to the foundation upon which our shared aspirations are built. Your willingness to contribute your hard-earned income is not merely a legal obligation but a testament to your dedication to the well-being of our nation. The funds collected through taxation serve as the essence of our public services,” he said.
He urged all taxpayers with outstanding taxes to take advantage of this and pay their outstanding principal tax, which will automatically grant them a waiver of accumulated penalties and interest.
Juma Kisaame, the Chairman, Uganda Revenue Authority Board of Directors said 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.
The minister of finance Matia Kasaija committed to supporting URA in its mandate fulfills the government’s objective of liberating Uganda from donor dependency.
