By Kabahweza Kamugisha Allan
In sharing, we learn from each other and at URA we are ready to share our successes and learn from your successes for the development of our nations. We are glad you chose to benchmark on us. These were the opening remarks of Irene Mbabazi Irumba ,the Assistant Commissioner Learning and Development at the opening of a 5-day benchmark by the Malawi Revenue Authority at URA headquarters, Nakawa.
Mbabazi explained that URA staff undertake training in different tax-related courses to enable them understand the concept of tax better.
“We have a curriculum for training our employees including Integrated Tax Revenue Administration Training (ITRAT) and it is a prerequisite for all new staff joining URA,” she said.
Mbabazi also noted that URA has rolled out a competency framework tool to help in identifying where each employee lies in terms of development.
“The tool helps in identifying technical competencies, skills and behavior of employees, and it ensures staff have the critical skills and as they get the skills, they have the core such as behavior,” Mbabazi.
At the opening of the first session, Ag. Manager Compliance Risk Management, Muhangura Bright Louis noted that it is time African countries free themselves from the economic dependence on the West.
“Benchmarking on revenue authorities in Africa will enable us identify mechanisms that will support the realization of economic independence as we got political independence from the West,” said Muhangura.
He explained that URA relies on data from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies, which is analyzed to identify risks and mitigate them accordingly.
Presentations from different URA officers hinged mostly on identifying and understanding duties of the Compliance Risk and Business Analysis units including the governance framework and understudying how the risk and business analysis is managed in an automated and integrated tax system environment.
The Head of Malawi Revenue Authority’s delegation Dr. Dorcus Stella Manyenje lauded URA for allowing them to benchmark on how to identify and manage compliance risks.
