Dicksons Collins Kateshumbwa the former Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner, Domestic Taxes has joined politics.
He is vying for the Member of Parliament for the Sheema Municipality in Western Uganda under the ruling party- the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“Yes we are on,” he told CEO East Africa Magazine via WhatsApp.
He said his campaign would be premised on “Restoring Unity and Promoting Development.”
“After serving my country at URA for 15 years, I have decided to use the experience, networks and relationships gained in those fourteen years to support in the development of my home, Sheema but also the country at large,” he told CEO East Africa.
“Sheema Municipality, being a town, is primarily a trading community. I look forward to using my over 15 years’ experience in URA and my representation in parliament to continue shaping a progressive taxation regime that fosters the growth and development of my people in Sheema, but also the country at large,” he added.
“I have served in URA with integrity and spearheaded a lot of reforms in Customs. Despite the recent negative attacks by mafias groups spreading false news and propaganda, I chose to ignore them and stay focused. The public knows my record of service and that’s what matters. No amount of attacks can cause me to live under unconscious guilty,” he said, adding: I have also served the continent and international community as the first Black Chairperson of World Customs Organization…my networks and experience with be useful in strengthening our NRM party and transforming Sheema Municipality.
Modernising General Insurance: SanlamAllianz CEO Ruth Namuli on Building Uganda’s Insurance Powerhouse with Trust, Innovation, and ScaleThe World Customs Organization develops international standards, fosters cooperation and builds capacity so as to facilitate legitimate trade, secure a fair revenue collection and protect society by providing leadership, guidance and support to Customs administrations all over the world.
Kateshumbwa, who resigned from URA in May 2020, spent the longest part of his career in tax collection as a Commissioner for Customs, a position he was appointed to in June 2015, replacing Richard Kamajugo.
Legendary and transformational leader
Over the five years he was a Commissioner for Customs, he drove over 18 reforms, creating an efficient tax collection machine that oversaw a 43% growth in international trade taxes, from UGX4.82 trillion in FY2015/16 to UGX6.88 trillion in FY2018/19- a compounded annual growth rate of 9%. In FY2017/18 and FY2018/19 he twice beat the targets- achieving 100.44% and 100.13% respectively.
Writing on Facebook, upon his exit, Doris Akol, the former URA Commissioner General and Kateshumbwa’s boss until March 2020 described Kateshumbwa as an exceptional leader.
“Legendary is the word. Thank you Kateshumbwa. Transformational leader!” wrote Ms. Akol.
