John R. Musinguzi, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner General, has been reappointed for a second 4-year term, CEO East Africa Magazine has learnt.
He was first appointed in March 2020 to take over Uganda’s tax authority from Doris Akol who was Commissioner General from November 2014.
“The board and staff of Uganda Revenue Authority congratulate Commissioner General – John R. Musinguzi on his remarkable reappointment for another term as a team lead of the URA Family.
“This momentous occasion reflects the unwavering trust and support extended by the President of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, the Honourable Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the esteemed Board of the Uganda Revenue Authority,” the Authority wrote on its social media pages.
“This collective endorsement underscores a unified commitment to our nation’s fiscal integrity and prosperity. Together, we embark on this continued journey with enthusiasm and a shared vision for a brighter, more prosperous Uganda,” the authority further said.
The appointment of John Musinguzi Rujoki, a former Senior Presidential Advisor on ICT and Investment Matters and a computer scientist by background⏤ he holds a Master’s degree in Computing and Information systems from the University of Greenwich and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Makerere University⏤ met mixed reactions from stakeholders who considered him an ‘outsider’ to the system who didn’t have prior experience in mainstream tax management.
However his supporters argued that the relevant changes that needed to be done at URA, needed someone from the outside to shake it down and John R. Musinguzi was the man to do that. His credentials in technology also gave him an edge as some of the key enhancements needed in Uganda’s tax management had to be technology-led.
Indeed, his performance record in his first term has disproved his critics.
Under Mr. Musinguzi, revenue collection has grown by over 50.48% from UGX 16,751.64 billion in FY 2019/20 (the time he joined URA) to UGX 25,209.05 billion in FY 2022/23. The tax register has grown by 154.96 per cent from 1,594,116 in 2019/20 to 4,064,432 taxpayers by half year of FY 2023/24.
More importantly, while there has been consistent growth in revenue since the 1990s, the highest magnitude realised in the last four years. During this time the tax to GDP ratio has been oscillating between 10 -14 per cent since FY 2009/10, but the highest tax to GDP for the last 33 years was 14 per cent achieved in FY 2022/23 according to statistics from the authority.
This is despite Uganda’s tax collection efforts being hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commenting about his reappointment, Mr. Musinguzi wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I’m profoundly honoured by the trust and confidence bestowed upon me by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Hon. Matia Kasaija and the URA Board. I look forward to continuing to rally and guide the dedicated URA team in our commitment to Uganda’s self-sustenance”..