Kabahweza Kamugisha Allan
The URA’s Commissioner of Information Technology and Innovation, Robert Mutebi recently delivered a lecture for the second intake at the National Defence College in Njeru, where he called on Ugandans to make more investment in agriculture, value addition, and tourism, saying these activities bring in more money to the economy.
“Local investors must add value to their products to be able to attract better market within the region,” he said.
Mutebi’s lecture hinged on the theme, “Uganda’s State Capacity to Extract Revenue, The Prospects and Challenges.”
He advised that it is more profitable to produce high-quality products that are scarce and in demand.
“When Ugandans produce on demand and scarce products, they will find good markets in the region and make money, from which they will pay taxes for national development. Innovations for scarce products bring money into the economy,” Mutebi said.
On corruption, the Commissioner noted that management is determined to rid the vice out of the institution, highlighting some of the strides taken so far.
“There is a shift that we need to curb corruption in society. At URA, the current management has dismissed over 80 staff who involved themselves in acts of corruption,” said Mutebi.
He applauded the Uganda People’s Defense Forces for supporting URA in the fight against smuggling and for refurbishing the railway line, which will improve the transportation of goods.
In his remarks, Col. Christopher Tumwine of the UPDF lauded Mutebi for the lecture, saying that it reminded them of their mission to liberate Uganda from economic dependence.
