By Solomon Mukisa
In a collaborative effort with the Mutukula Business Community, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) hosted a breakfast meeting with over 50 women entrepreneurs at the Mutukula Border Post.
The gathering aimed to address vital issues such as business formalization, tax compliance, and effective record-keeping as key drivers of business growth and income improvement. This event provided women with an opportunity to learn how adhering to tax regulations and formalizing their operations can elevate their enterprises.
Dr. Gaalya Micah, the Acting Assistant Commissioner of the Tax Education Division, highlighted the women’s contributions to socio-economic development and expressed appreciation for their participation.
He emphasized that the government prioritizes protecting local industries and has created incentives to support them.
Notably, these policies are often leveraged more by men, who typically own larger businesses.
Dr. Micah urged women to explore available tax incentives and consider engaging in tax-exempt businesses to foster their growth. He also encouraged them to form self-motivated groups to enhance business development. He mentioned URA’s partnership with UNBS to tackle black market goods, which undermine standard products.
Augustine Ayesiga, the URA Station in charge of Kyotera DT, stressed the importance of tax compliance and accurate record-keeping. He encouraged women to formalize their businesses, explaining that legal registration opens doors for growth, financial support, and access to larger markets.
He invited them to engage with URA, emphasizing that their offices are always open for guidance and assistance.
Muwonge Joshua, a trainer from the Tax Education Outreach office, detailed the process of business formalization and various tax regimes that apply to businesses of different sizes.
He underscored the importance of record-keeping, which aids in tracking profits and losses, making informed decisions, and ensuring compliance with tax laws.
He cautioned against tax evasion and false declarations, stressing the serious consequences such actions could entail.
Vivian from the Tax Education office reinforced the initiative’s importance, highlighting URA’s ongoing efforts to engage and educate female entrepreneurs as part of a broader strategy to promote tax compliance. This marks a significant step in empowering women entrepreneurs by equipping them with the knowledge and resources necessary to formalize their businesses, comply with tax regulations, and maintain detailed records.
Jane Benuza, Chairperson of the Women Cross-Border Association, shared her insights, thanking URA for creating an empowering platform to discuss business challenges and opportunities.
She urged URA and the government to share success stories from women entrepreneurs who have navigated similar challenges, as this could inspire others to expand their operations. Jane also encouraged her fellow businesswomen to abandon the “smuggling mentality” and to follow correct customs procedures, even if their goods were not subject to taxes.
