By Mulengera Reporters
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao has commended the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) for its efforts to strengthen taxpayer education, describing public awareness as critical to improving compliance with tax laws, particularly following the recent tax amendments.
Speaking during his visit to the URA exhibition stall at the Northern Region Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) Trade Show in Gulu City last week, where he was the Guest of Honour, Mao applauded the Authority for helping taxpayers understand their obligations and the impact of changes in the country’s tax laws. He encouraged URA to sustain its tax education campaigns to ensure more Ugandans appreciate the importance of taxation in national development.
The Minister’s remarks crowned a week-long taxpayer education and compliance campaign by URA that culminated on Saturday, August 1, with the conclusion of the Northern Region BUBU Trade Show in Gulu City and the inaugural Bunyoro Regional Agriculture, Environment and Trade Show in Hoima City.
Throughout the four-day exhibitions, URA provided taxpayers with a range of services, including Tax Identification Number (TIN) registration, return filing support, tax advisory services and guidance on the new tax amendments. The engagements also gave businesses, farmers and individual taxpayers an opportunity to seek clarification on various tax matters directly from URA officers.
During the second day of the Gulu trade show, Abel Gulu, who represented the Northern Region Customs Manager, emphasized that broad-based tax compliance ensures a fair sharing of the tax burden, explaining that when everyone contributes, no taxpayer is required to pay more than their fair share. He also highlighted customs incentives introduced under the latest tax amendments and encouraged businesses to take advantage of the available incentives while remaining tax compliant.
Beyond the exhibition grounds, URA officers conducted compliance support visits to several establishments in Gulu City, including Churchill Courts Hotel and Acholi Inn, as part of efforts to strengthen relationships with taxpayers and improve voluntary compliance. The establishments appreciated the Authority’s continued support and pledged to prioritize timely tax filing and payment.
Cuthbert Byomugabi, Supervisor Compliance at the URA Gulu Office, noted that the improved working relationship between URA and taxpayers had strengthened tax collection efforts by promoting cooperation and mutual understanding.
The compliance outreach also extended to Vanguard Primary School, where URA officers engaged teachers and school administrators on the importance of declaring income from businesses operated outside their primary employment.
Leading the engagement, Supervisor Stakeholder Relations Ziad Kaketto explained that every eligible taxpayer has a responsibility to comply with tax obligations because tax revenue finances government programmes and public services. He further noted that Uganda’s progressive tax system ensures that those with higher incomes contribute more, while lower-income earners pay proportionately less, urging participants to embrace tax compliance with confidence.
Meanwhile, at the inaugural Bunyoro Regional Agriculture, Environment and Trade Show in Hoima City, URA focused on addressing tax concerns affecting farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural value chain.
Hoima Station Head Felix Ekojot said the exhibition provided an opportunity for the Authority to explain taxes applicable to farmers, exemptions on agricultural inputs and other sector-specific tax issues affecting agricultural businesses.
The outreach campaign formed part of URA’s broader strategy to promote voluntary tax compliance by bringing tax services closer to the public and strengthening partnerships with businesses, institutions and communities. By combining taxpayer education, compliance support and stakeholder engagement, the Authority continues to make tax administration more accessible while encouraging citizens to contribute to Uganda’s sustainable development through voluntary tax compliance. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
