By Elizabeth Nakiru
Uganda Revenue Authority commenced its feedback sessions dubbed ‘Open Minds Forum’ with the aim of partaking in personal and up-close engagements with taxpayers to appreciate them, receive their feedback and recommendations, and respond to arising queries. The first meeting was held in the Mukono division, with over 200 participants in attendance.
During the meeting, Irene Nassolo, the Mukono regional manager, applauded the taxpayers for their compliance and diligence in fulfilling their tax obligations, noting that the Mukono region has consistently hit its revenue target every year. She also invited them to seek redress in case they were disgruntled with the assessments that URA gave them.
“If you receive an assessment you are not comfortable with, please come, and we will support you. We shall listen to you through our objections management team,” said Nassolo. She further mentioned other methods of appeal, including alternative dispute resolution (ADR), voluntary disclosure (VD), and a tax waiver that permits taxpayers with outstanding tax arrears to only pay their principal tax, forfeiting the accumulated penalties and fines.
While the participants expressed their willingness to collaborate with URA to pay taxes, they also raised concerns about slow service delivery from URA officers, highhandedness, and miscalculated tax assessments. They noted that these were detrimental to their journey toward tax compliance and needed to be addressed by URA.
“When we come to your offices, please handle us well; all we need as taxpayers is direction on what to do when it comes to fulfilling our tax obligations, said Benjamin Kasambura, the Chairperson of the Uganda Small Scale Industries Association (USSIA) Mukono district.
The issue of the closure of businesses without notifying the owners was also severally raised by participants. They recommended dialogue between the taxpayer and URA before a closure is enforced.
In her remarks, Mukono Municipality MP Hon. Betty Nambooze thanked URA for organizing an event where taxpayers are listened to and equally appreciated them for their contribution to the revenue basket that funds government projects.
She informed participants that the role of parliament is to ensure that the taxes collected are put to good use and for the benefit of all Ugandans.
Ibrahim Bbossa, the Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, told members present that URA was making strides to improve service delivery, and indeed, there have been changes to that effect. “We have lost over 80 staff over misdemeanors including corruption, negligence, and fraud. This should show you that we are improving our services, and we shall continue to do so for a better client experience,” he said.
Msrg. Richard Kayondo, Vicar General of Lugazi Diocese, graced the meeting as a guest of honor and appealed to taxpayers to work with URA to develop Uganda for future generations.
