By Irene Kabakama
John R. Musinguzi, the commissioner general of the Uganda Revenue Authority yesterday, visited the Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga to discuss strategies on how voluntary compliance can impact revenue collection.
The Katikkiro Mayiga in his response encouraged URA to work with the media and equip them with all thenecessary information that they need for proper reporting. Adding that this will enable taxpayers to pay taxes with ease.
He also pledged the support of the Buganda Kingdom in advancing tax education towards their subjects to help them remain and become compliant. He challenged URA to engage policymakers on proper service delivery for accountability purposes to taxpayers.
“Tax collection is a public good that requires the participation of everyone and paying taxes is a responsibility that needs to be instilled in people from an early age,” Mayiga stated.
The Buganda Kingdom Premier commended Musinguzi for putting a human face to tax collection, pointing out that this will go a long way in influencing voluntary compliance and broadening the tax base.
“The way taxes are collected and used will contribute to widening the tax base,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, Musinguzi thanked the Buganda Kingdom as good stakeholders. He noted how URA has found it inevitable to work with different stakeholders as part of its total transformation drive to encourage voluntarily compliance.
Musinguzi also reiterated calls for voluntary compliance from all Ugandans, citing the low tax-to-GDP ratio of 14%.
Responding to Katikkiro’s call for accountability to citizens, Musinguzi pledged to revive initiatives like the “Because of You” campaign that illustrate what taxes are doing.
