By Nouella Anaso
“To URA, it is a gift. But to me, it is a miracle. I have never received such a gift before. This morning, I didn’t have sugar for my tea. Yesterday my children asked for blue band. Now they will also have rice, spaghetti, cooking oil. I did not expect this blessing today. Thank you URA,” she said.
Selestio Regina, is a 73-year-old lady who was one among the many taxpayers that were randomly gifted with a groceries hamper while she waited to lodge a complaint over her stolen number plate.
The commissioner General, John R. Musinguzi and a section of senior management launched the Taxpayers Appreciation Season (TPAS) on Thursday 21st October 2021 as they surprised a few taxpayers with gift hampers, a tip-off gesture on one of the many things that will happen during this rewarding season. Under the theme: 30 years of Developing Uganda Together, URA will recognize, reward and appreciate compliant taxpayers to inculcate a culture of voluntary compliance among all Ugandans from October to December 2021.
At the Upper ground service centre of the URA Tower, the URA leaders randomly gifted walk-in taxpayers who were waiting for services.
Sam Kawuka said that he had only come to the Authority to do some clearance when he was gifted by URA. “I feel so proud, I feel so good is what,” he said. Nicholas Kuteesa is another taxpayer who was also set to dancing with a hamper. In the moment’s happiness, he pledged to pay a little more than required.
While addressing the happy clients, the CG assured them that their contribution to tax is vital for the development of Uganda. He said that the beautiful weather and fertile soils can only be enjoyed where there is development.
“We need good roads, power, well paid civil servants, good education and state of the art services. This can only come from the taxes we pay. We are using this opportunity to appreciate you and to rally you to join us and voluntarily pay your taxes so that you help us transform our nation,” CG said.
The Taxpayers Appreciation Season will include the following activities; –
- The E-Bomba Ya Business Summit (Season 3)
For the 3rd year in a row, the E- Bomba Ya Business Summit will run every Friday from 10:00am to 12:00pm for a period of 5 weeks starting on the 15th October, 2021. The summit will address itself to business opportunities and recovery during and after COVID-19.
- The Customer Service Week
To celebrate the taxpayer and position URA as a service-oriented organization, URA will give an exceptional service offering for a week to the taxpayers across all stations to celebrate compliance as we promote our services.
- Regional Taxpayer Visits
From the second week of November 2021, URA management members will go to the field and reach out to the most compliant taxpayers and key stakeholders in revenue mobilization in the regions.
- Profile and recognize the Compliant Taxpayers
URA will profile and publish 30 most compliant taxpayers per region from the 6 jurisdictional regions of Uganda to further celebrate the most economic heroes of Uganda who have not only worked hard to sustain the economy but also contributed regularly and significantly to the national revenue mobilization efforts over the years.
- The Taxpayers Awards Gala
This will be the highlight of TPAS season where 40 of Uganda’s most compliant Taxpayers during the previous FY will be rewarded. Also, seasoned taxpayers from over 30 years will be recognized at a national platform.
