Uganda Revenue Authority is prioritizing engagement and education as an approach that will identify the challenges taxpayers face.
“Prioritizing engagement and education, with enforcement being the last resort will help us identify the challenges taxpayers face, given that we cannot work alone without involving partners in developing the country,” said Gordon Mutungyi, URA Station head of Katuna One Stop Border Post during a Customs Cross Border Tax Baraza in Katuna.
Mutungyi said that the Baraza provides an opportunity to learn from each other.
He noted that while Katuna has the least numbers of smugglers many people are smuggling small phones and requested those involved to desist from the vice. The Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Nyakahuma Godfrey expressed his appreciation to URA’s approach of sensitizing people about taxes.
“URA should work with other government entities like the local government to provide a 360-degree understanding of taxes,” he said.
He encouraged URA to hold more talk shows on different channels to engage the people who do not attend the engagements.
During a cross-border engagement, Kyarisiima Deborah, a business community leader requested that URA conduct more tax sensitization sessions.
“These engagements are helpful to people transitioning from smuggling to legitimate cross-border trade. I used to smuggle spaghetti and shoe cream, which were popular in Kabale’s market at the time, but I am now happily paying taxes,” revealed Kyarisiima.
She requested the government to reduce taxes so that people trade based on their capabilities. The engagement focused on smuggling, customs procedures, and processes.
The Katuna OSBP links Uganda to Rwanda and is the sixth OSBP implemented to facilitate trade in the region, promote prosperity and regional integration.
