The Big Story

The Taxman’s Call: Three Decades of Persistent Legal Struggles Between URA & Telecoms

The groundwork for URA's intense scrutiny of telecoms was laid in the early 2000s when Celtel, now Airtel, challenged Value Added Tax assessments on airtime provided to its employees. 
The groundwork for URA's intense scrutiny of telecoms was laid in the early 2000s when Celtel, now Airtel, challenged Value Added Tax assessments on airtime provided to its employees. 

Uganda’s telecom sector has blossomed since its liberalisation in the 1990s, evolving into a highly profitable and transformative force.  With mobile penetration surpassing 70% and mobile money establishing itself as a parallel financial system, telecom operators wield considerable influence across communications, finance, digital inclusion, and public infrastructure. This robust growth, however, has also positioned them as a prime target for the taxman, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). For nearly three decades, URA has been locked in a persistent legal struggle with key players in the telecom industry, notably MTN, Airtel, Celtel, and Uganda Telecom (UTL). These disputes typically involve URA’s efforts…

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About the Author

Trevor Lutalo is a features writer and storyteller with a strong interest in topics such as business, taxation, and climate issues. He has explored the connection between environmental sustainability and economic growth, while also delving into subjects like travel and agriculture.

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