By CEO East Africa Magazine Team Uganda’s ambition is bold: to grow its economy tenfold, moving millions out of poverty and cementing its place among Africa’s rising stars. The 2025/26 national budget, with a resource envelope of UGX 72.4 trillion, sets the tone — prioritising human capital, infrastructure, industrialisation, and digital transformation. But behind the optimism lies a fiscal squeeze. Public debt is climbing past USD 31.5 billion (51.26% of GDP), leaving little room for fresh borrowing. That means financing Uganda’s 10x dream depends squarely on domestic revenue mobilisation. Rather than introducing new taxes, the government is tightening administration —…
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Uganda’s High Court has issued a decision that reshapes the rules of engagement in tax disputes. The decision gives clarity on the much-contested 30% deposit requirement and reins in the contempt powers of the Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT). The case arose when Nile Breweries disputed additional tax assessments issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) for VAT and excise duty. Nile Breweries had already paid its self-assessed taxes but challenged URA’s additional demand, which it viewed as unlawful. While seeking an injunction before the Tax Appeals Tribunal, a condition was imposed that Nile Breweries pays 30% of the tax “in…
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In April 2024, Ms. Crystal Kabajwara made history as the first female Chairperson of Uganda’s Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT). Her appointment marked a defining moment for the institution, which has…
Congratulations on completing your first year as Chairperson of the Tax Appeals Tribunal. For starters, many people do not understand the mandate of the Tribunal as well as, how does…
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,…
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In this interview, Rytter Muzira, the Supervisor, Media Management at Uganda Revenue Authority, speaks to Robert Mutebi, the Commissioner of Information Technology and Innovation on the progress of this strategy and how it is shaping URA into a service organisation that puts the taxpayer first. What are the goals for the ICT department in URA and what are some of the steps you are taking to achieve them? As a department, we have three goals: to deliver services instantly, to include everyone in our services, and to ensure our systems are interoperable. One of the key factors for achieving these…
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Uganda Revenue Authority’s just-launched Digitalisation and IT Strategy 2023/24-2027/28 is a “living and breathing” testament to the tax authority’s determination to leverage cutting-edge technology to achieve the organisation’s mission to “mobilize revenue for national development in a transparent and efficient manner,” that should be embraced and supported by all stakeholders, John R. Musinguzi, the Commissioner General has rallied all stakeholders. The 5-year strategy is a master plan that seeks to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery to the taxpayer and in so doing, maximise revenue growth and increase customer service satisfaction. At the core of the strategy is the use…
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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) are now popular gear, especially for people engaged in the film industry, videography, vlogging and tourism, amongst other businesses. On the other hand, away from such civilian uses, drones are also known to be used for subversive and illegal purposes such as reconnaissance and surveillance (spying) and in some cases targeted attacks, activities otherwise reserved for state security actors. Uncontrolled flying of drones may also pose safety risks to other users of Ugandan airspace such as aircraft as well as pose safety risks if flown in busy residential or urban areas. It is for these security…
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Efforts by various Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement teams in Mutukula, Masaka, Madi Oepi and Elegu have netted several illicit traders, confiscating several smuggled goods, such as textiles, motorcycles, cigarettes, hair accessories, confectioneries and a motor vehicle. In one of the enforcement operations, a Sino truck Reg. No. UBK 632X, was intercepted by the Mutukula team as it attempted to smuggle into the country, 1,024 rolls of assorted textiles and assorted hair extensions and braids from Tanzania. Relatedly, a URA team confiscated 40 Motorcycles that had been illegally imported into the country, as well as intercepted 250 Bombas (5 Cartons) of Supermatch…
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“I read a book called Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant 2 years ago and it greatly shaped my thinking in terms of excellence in your field or passion. To be a Mamba means to be a ‘great’ in a field so I named myself ‘Tax Mamba’ not because I was the best, but to challenge myself to become that,” she explains, adding: “I am slowly working on that and we can take it as a prophetic declaration for my next great achievements in tax. It was a brave decision on my end but it wasn’t hard as I truly believe…
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