Minister Musasizi  Tasks New URA Recruits on Integrity as Govt Targets 20% Tax to GDP Ratio

By Wilfred Arinda Nshekantebirwe

The Minister of  Finance Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, has challenged newly recruited Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) staff to make integrity, professionalism and fairness the cornerstone of their work as government moves to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation.

Musasizi made the call on Monday during the pass-out ceremony of 174 newly recruited URA officers who completed a one-month leadership training at the Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership in Kaweweta.

Addressing the graduates, the Minister said their role goes beyond tax collection, noting that every interaction with a taxpayer is an opportunity to build public trust in URA and government.

“Every interaction with a taxpayer is an opportunity to build trust in URA and in Government,” Musasizi said. “Revenue administration must be anchored in fairness, professionalism and integrity.”

He urged the officers to use the information, resources and authority entrusted to them responsibly and to help cultivate a culture where Ugandans appreciate that paying taxes is part of nation-building.

“This is not the destination, but the beginning of a greater responsibility,” he told the recruits. “You have a responsibility to help build a culture in which Ugandans understand that paying taxes is part of building the country we all want.”

The Minister also challenged the new staff to embrace technology and continuous learning, stressing that their ultimate duty is to serve Ugandans.

The training comes at a time when government is intensifying efforts to boost domestic revenue, with a target of raising Uganda’s revenue-to-GDP ratio from the current 14% to 20%.

“Uganda’s economy has grown to Shs 250.4 trillion, but our tax-to-GDP ratio remains at about 14%. We must strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and raise this to at least 20% to finance our development without excessive dependence on borrowing,” Musasizi said.

Government has in recent years prioritised widening the tax base, curbing evasion, and improving efficiency at URA as part of its strategy to finance development expenditure and reduce reliance on external borrowing.

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