By Dismas Nuwaine
The Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), John Musinguzi, has called on African tax officials to embrace science and technology in the fight against tax evasion.
He emphasized that implementation of proven data-driven, evidence-based strategies will not only strengthen domestic revenue collection but also secure financial independence for African nations, reducing reliance on foreign aid.
Musinguzi made these remarks at Serena Hotel, Kampala, during a dinner event following a five-day technical training workshop hosted by URA, with support from the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).
The workshop, which began on Monday at Fairway Hotel, Kampala, brought together tax experts from 24 African countries under the theme: “Leveraging Scientific Approaches to Combat Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs).”
The Commissioner General thanked ATAF and the German Cooperation (GIZ) for their commitment to strengthening local capacity and providing resources to enhance tax administration in Africa.
He urged delegates to take action by applying the scientific methods learned during the training and convincing their respective governments to invest in modern forensic tools.
“As revenue authorities, we have a unique opportunity to transform Africa’s economic future. Don’t let the knowledge gained here go to waste, rather, engage your Commissioner Generals and Finance Ministries to prioritize these critical technologies,” Musinguzi urged.
He further stressed the importance of cross-border collaboration among African nations in tax administration, saying it is key to achieving economic prosperity for the continent.
“We must work together, or we risk being left behind in global development. With Africa’s resources, youthful population, and a shared vision, we have the potential to drive the next cycle of economic growth,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Denis Kugonza, Commissioner of the Tax Investigations Department (TID), highlighted the need for continued tax education to change public perception about taxation.
“Many citizens do not fully understand their tax obligations. Raising awareness on how taxes directly contribute to national growth will reduce resistance and improve compliance,” he noted.
Caroline Mutabayarwa, Head of the Tax Academy at ATAF in Pretoria, South Africa, commended URA’s strides in adopting science-driven solutions to fight tax fraud.
She described the workshop as a turning point for Africa, urging tax authorities to fully integrate forensic science in revenue administration.
“This training has deepened our understanding of illicit financial flows and their economic impact. Scientific approaches offer practical solutions, and we must sustain this momentum,” she said.
Mutabayarwa concluded with an energizing call to action to all delegate members: “The message has been clear and exciting, we must not let this fire die!”
