By Dismas Nuwaine
The Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Mr. John R. Musinguzi, has reaffirmed URA’s strong commitment to working hand-in-hand with key players in the oil and gas sector to ensure tax compliance, transparency, and smooth operations, especially as Uganda moves closer to first oil.
Speaking during a high-level meeting held at URA headquarters in Nakawa yesterday, Mr. Musinguzi welcomed Mr. Philippe Groueix, the General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Uganda, and Mr. Liu Xiangdong, President of the China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) Uganda Limited.
Musinguzi applauded the existing partnerships, noting that they have already led to great progress in building mutual understanding and cross-organizational cooperation in the area of taxation.
“Our goal is to create a tax environment that is fair, predictable and supportive of investment,” he said. “At the same time, we must protect Uganda’s revenue interests so that oil wealth benefits all her citizens.”
During the meeting, the parties discussed ongoing efforts to boost technical cooperation and keep open channels of communication between the taxman and the oil companies.
Musinguzi also emphasized the importance of regularly reviewing intra-company pricing methods used by multinational oil companies to ensure they comply with Uganda’s transfer pricing regulations. This, he said, is key to preventing profit shifting and tax base erosion.
“Transfer pricing is a sensitive area globally,” Mr. Musinguzi noted. “By working transparently and within the law, we can build a strong tax system that reflects the true value of transactions and ensures Uganda gets its fair share.”
Audit and reporting were also high on the agenda. Both sides agreed on the need for routine audits and timely data sharing, especially on production volumes and earnings, so that tax assessments remain accurate and up to date.
Mr. Groueix commended URA’s professionalism and reiterated TotalEnergies’ commitment to compliance and continued collaboration.
“We value URA’s openness,” he said, adding, “We are ready to continue engaging closely with the taxman and other government agencies to ensure our operations are compliant, responsible, and beneficial to Uganda’s economy.”
