By Mulengera Reporters
The scorching dry season is griping in, in East Acholi, and businesses in Lamwo District are seizing new opportunities. To support them, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has deployed its mobile office, the Tujenge Bus, to Palabek Kal Town Council, ensuring that essential tax services are within reach for local entrepreneurs.
Kitara Joseph, a 52-year-old retail shop owner, was among the first to visit the Tujenge Bus, on February 28th. In just 15 minutes, he obtained his tax clearance certificate (TCC), saving him the long and costly journey to Kitgum.
Grateful for the convenience, Kitara noted that he no longer has to close his shop for a day just to access URA services.
The Tujenge Bus is part of the broader two-week URA tax education campaign across East Acholi, covering Kitgum, Agago, Amuru, Pader, and Lamwo Districts. Local leaders have welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the need for continued engagement to address common misconceptions about taxation.
Palabek Kal LCIII Chairperson, Okiya Noel, pointed out that many residents struggle to distinguish between local council fees and URA taxes, often fearing they are being taxed twice.
Similar concerns were raised in Pantogo Town Council, Agago District, where LCIII Chairperson Komakech Joseph invited URA to train local leaders on Tax Identification Number (TIN) registration.
The training sessions have already had a positive impact. Laika Dusuman, a senior accounts assistant from Patongo Town Council, pledged to help residents register for TINs free of charge, ensuring more businesses can formalize their operations.
URA Commissioner General John R. Musinguzi emphasized that continuous tax education is key to improving compliance and revenue mobilization. He noted that targeted, sector-based education efforts help address taxpayer concerns, particularly in the informal sector, where misinformation often leads to resistance against tax obligations.
Isaac Gyagenda, URA’s Ag. Supervisor for Tax Education Outreach in Northern Uganda, reaffirmed that the Tujenge Bus initiative is bridging the information gap and making tax services more accessible. He highlighted that bringing services closer to taxpayers not only enhances compliance but also strengthens trust between URA and the business community.
With the success of the ongoing tax education campaign, URA remains committed to expanding outreach programs and ensuring that every Ugandan taxpayer has the knowledge and resources needed to fulfill their tax obligations with ease. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
