Unlocking Uganda’s Revenue Potential: URA’s Denis Kato Demystifies the Numbers for MPs

By Mulengera Reporters

As part of its commitment to growth through synergy, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) on 13 March, engaged Members of Parliament in a high-level workshop on domestic revenue mobilization under the Resource Enhancement and Accountability Program (REAP), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED).

The engagement, held at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, aimed to explore strategies for improving Uganda’s Tax-to-GDP ratio, a key economic indicator of revenue performance.

In a riveting session, Denis Kato, URA’s Manager for Corporate Planning, Strategy, and Risk Management, provided an in-depth analysis of Uganda’s revenue landscape, shedding light on the science behind the numbers and the structural bottlenecks hindering optimal tax collection. He walked MPs through URA’s revenue performance over the years, pinpointing trends, achievements, and gaps that need urgent attention.

A significant part of Kato’s presentation addressed the challenges in revenue mobilization, including tax evasion, the dominance of the informal sector, and compliance gaps in digital tax solutions.

He stressed the importance of strengthening tax administration and ensuring equitable taxation across all sectors of the economy.

Highlighting URA’s technological advancements, Kato showcased the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS), a groundbreaking digital tool designed to curb tax fraud, enhance transparency, and streamline compliance. While adoption has been increasing, he urged lawmakers to support policies that will drive nationwide uptake and boost revenue collection.

To contextualize Uganda’s performance, Kato presented Tax-to-GDP comparisons across years and regions, illustrating how Uganda fares against its regional counterparts.

The data revealed that despite commendable improvements, Uganda still has room to increase its revenue mobilization efforts to match regional benchmarks.

This engagement was more than just a numbers discussion but also a strategic conversation on policy reforms, stakeholder collaboration, and innovative solutions needed to transform Uganda’s revenue collection landscape. MPs were urged to champion policies that promote tax compliance, enhance accountability, and build public trust in the tax system.

Through continuous engagements like ‘URAMeetsMPs25,’ URA remains dedicated to strengthening partnerships with key stakeholders, ensuring that revenue collection aligns with Uganda’s development goals. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).