By Kabakama Irene
Following the unfortunate shooting that happened early last month in Madi-Okollo, URA has agreed to collaborate with other government agencies to sensitize residents of West Nile on the impact of smuggling to not only their community but also the economy.
At the Madi-Okollo Town Council Hall today, the Commissioner General, John Musinguzi noted that one of the major causes of the clashes between URA and taxpayers is ignorance of tax laws.
“Some of you unknowingly violate tax laws, like driving numberless motorcycles and selling smuggled fuel and cooking oil, not knowing you are hurting the economy,” said Musinguzi
He tipped the community that involving themselves in smuggling denies URA the opportunity to collect revenue and also denies market to compliant taxpayers. He called on the residents to stop the vice and cooperate with URA in revenue mobilization.
The Commissioner General was accompanied by the State Minister for General Duties Henry Musasizi, who called for a harmonious relationship between URA and the community.
“We need your cooperation with URA staff so that we can do away with shootings and killings. We are happy that you are willing to move and abandon smuggling because it has several disadvantages, like the loss of lives,” the minister implored.
Musasizi also warned government officials who use government vehicles to convey un customed goods, adding that government will deal with them.
The two officials are on a visit to the West Nile region to engage the leaders and community to find a lasting solution to the smuggling vice that is prevalent in the region.
During the visit, the URA boss conveyed condolences to the families of victims who lost their lives in smuggling-related incidents last year.
He condemned the killings and emphasized that it was not URA’s intention to harm citizens in the execution of its mandate.
Later in the day, the leaders met and condoled with the aggrieved families.
