By Kabahweza Kamugisha Allan, and Photography by Gabriel Kyambadde
The Tujenge team has concluded a 3-day tax education drive in Sembabule district registering 100s of new taxpayers. This was during the first three days of the Tujenge Bus five days expedition in Masaka sub-region in which URA’s tax education team is sensitizing and educating the population on their tax rights and obligations.
Lwemiyaga subcounty chairman, Kamugisha Johnstone lauded URA for giving taxpayers instant Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) saying TINs had brought many issues in the subcounty. He explained that residents of Lwemiyaga have been freed from wrangles which arose due to not having a TIN, and people were using others TINs to buy motorcycles and motor vehicles.
Over 800 clients were reached and supported by the tax education team on the bus and through door to door engagements.
The chairman Lwemiyaga boda boda stage, Ssensayi Joel said that boda boda riders have been rescued from people who were demanding a lot of money to process a TIN, which is a requirement to get a motorcycle logbook. He noted that they were spending between UGX 50,000/= and UGX 100,000/= to get a TIN, expressing his gratitude to URA for giving them free TINs instantly.
Kabatongole Rachael, who missed a tender to supply molasses explained that she did not know a TIN and its use until when she met the URA team on Tujenge bus. “I spent a lot of money running after that tender and just because of a TIN, I failed to get the tender,” she said.
URA Masaka station head Umar Mbuga noted that residents of Sembabule district are not yet fully aware of their rights and obligations in terms of taxation. He however appreciated all the taxpayers who approached the bus to get free services.
The Tujenge team continues to provide services to taxpayers and they are currently in Bukomansimbi.
