Kasese traders ask URA tax education

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In Kasese District, the Business community has asked the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to create adequate awareness to enhance tax compliance.

They say that there has been a huge gap in communication and information dissemination, and if it is not addressed, it will be difficult for the tax body to realize its targets.

During a post-budget meeting with officials from URA and the Ministry of Finance, the taxpayers were also unhappy that URA is setting high tax collection targets without considering the fall in key economic enterprises like agriculture and mining.

Rev. Noah Masereka and Julius Kato said that URA has come up with certain policies without the input of the taxpayer.

Jolly Biira, another trader in Kasese town, was unhappy that URA officials rush to demand taxes but do not allocate adequate time to sensitize the citizens about taxes.

But David Okwi, a senior economist with the Department of Project Analysis and Public Investment in the Ministry of Finance, said they are deepening information sharing, collecting feedback, and enhancing accountability as steps towards bringing taxpayers closer to the relevant ministries and agencies.

Ambassador James Mbahimba said that most average businesspeople are ignorant of taxes imposed on them and, in turn, elude paying them. He added that most business people are illiterate, and yet URA officials keep referring them to use online platforms, including the website, which they can hardly navigate.

Mbahimba said that in setting tax collection targets, the tax body should take into consideration the local social and economic challenges people are facing, or else businesses will fail.

Kameli Zephania said it’s time URA started working with tax agencies to enhance tax education. He added that most taxation messages are in English, yet a large section of the local business community is less educated to adequately understand tax matters written in English.

However, Francis Mugisa Kithula, a local businessman, said there is a need for routine URA-local business community engagements so that traders can present their concerns.

In conclusion, Robert Kariisa said URA is coming out in the next financial year to expand community engagement on tax matters.

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