By Irene Kabakama
Uganda Revenue Authority is prioritizing engagement and education as an approach that will identify the challenges taxpayers face.
URA Station head of Katuna One Stop Border Post, Mutungyi Gordon made the remarks last Friday during the Customs Cross Border Tax Baraza in Katuna, Kabale District.
“We are prioritizing engagement and education. Enforcement will be the last resort to penalise errant taxpayers,” said Mutungyi.
Mutungyi noted that while Katuna has the least number of smugglers, the habitual smugglers are fond of smuggling mainly phones.
The Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Nyakahuma Godfrey expressed his appreciation to URA’s approach of sensitizing people about taxes.
“URA should work with other government entities like the Local Government to provide a 360-degree understanding of taxes,” he said.
He encouraged URA to hold more talk shows on different channels to engage the people who do not attend the engagements.
During a cross-border engagement, Kyarisiima Deborah, a business community leader requested that URA conduct more tax sensitization sessions.
“These engagements are helpful to people transitioning from smuggling to legitimate cross-border trade. I used to smuggle spaghetti and shoe cream, which were popular in Kabale’s market at the time, but I am now happily paying taxes,” testified Kyarisiima.
She requested the government to reduce taxes so that people trade based on their capabilities.
