BY FLORENCE NAMUGANZA
According to the Uganda National Bureau of statistics, Mbale is one of the fastest growing cities in Uganda with an average population of 488,960 and out of these, 255,621 are female. The URA performance records also show that the Mbale tax register has 82,766 taxpayers of who 23,505 are women. With these statistics, URA chose to engage Mbale women in business as a way of facilitating development and revenue growth in the region.
The 6th Annual Women’s Conference held at Wash and Wills Hotel in Mbale was premised on the theme Technology a driving factor for business facilitation and growth. The conference was organised in partnership with Women of Uganda Network (Wougnet), an NGO that promotes use of ICT by women in business.
The theme rallied women in business to adopt the use of technology to enhance business activity and maximise profit. Key of these was adoption of digital platforms to widen customer base and interaction to increase visibility and sales.
Women were also tipped on the smart ways of keeping business records with Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS). The traditional way of manually keeping records for tax purposes proved susceptible to damage and alterations. This affected quality and accuracy of tax return filing and refund processes.
In her speech, Rt Hon Lukia Nakadama Isanga, the third Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda while officiating the conference urged women to use platforms such the women’s conference to network and share knowledge on good business practices
“When we engage in business, let us not forget the values of teamwork, humility and hard work. Let us handhold other women to do what is required to achieve similar levels of development,” Nakadama emphasized.
The Minister also reminded women on the need to pay taxes when in business.
“As women, we understand the need of having good health facilities for ourselves and our children. However, we cannot claim such services if we do not support government to make this possible.” she added
URA’s Commissioner for Legal Services and Board Affairs Patience Rubagumya told women at the conference that URA is positioned as a business enabler to handhold all business persons contribute their fair share.
“We come up with such engagements to hear from you and see how best we can improve our services to help you better,” Rubagumya explained.
She added that URA is aiming at growing an economically independent Uganda that needs the support of every Ugandan. She emphasized that women are equipped with knowledge to sustain their businesses so that they can contribute to revenue and the development of the country.
Fatuma Namutosi, the founder of Byeffe foods in Mbale appreciated the initiative of equipping women with knowledge to sustain business. She however expressed concern on the high internet costs which are impeding the use digital market platforms by women to market their products.
On the other hand, Wougnet ’s representative Goretti Amuriat urged women to utilize social media platforms as a marketing tool to find new customers and establish partnerships.
