The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has firmly defended its acquisition of additional office space at Pearl Tower on Yusuf Lule Road, Kampala, framing the decision as a strategic necessity driven by rapid institutional growth and a commitment to modernisation.
In an article published by ChimpReports, URA’s Assistant Commissioner of Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, detailed the Authority’s rationale for the expansion.
Driven by Growth and Recruitment
Kalumba explained that the move is a direct result of the URA’s substantial increase in workforce and revenue targets. The URA recently completed a large-scale recruitment drive, adding over 1,000 new staff, primarily deployed in the Customs Department.
“We have grown to serve you better and quicker,” Kalumba is quoted as saying, clarifying that the expansion is in response to both the increased complexity of the economy and the need to accommodate the rising number of personnel. He noted that the URA staff complement has grown from approximately 2,000 five years ago to over 3,000 currently, a number that aligns with the increase in revenue targets. Since the URA Tower in Nakawa can only house about 1,700 employees, acquiring new space became “inevitable.”
Strategic Relocation for Taxpayer Service
The relocation is also aimed at fulfilling a modernisation agenda to improve taxpayer convenience. The Pearl Tower offices will host several key departments, including the Large Taxpayers Office (LTO), the Public Sector and Medium Taxpayer Divisions, and the Petroleum Division.
Centenary Group and Service Cops Sign Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Digital Financial InclusionKalumba emphasised the service benefit of the new location, which is situated closer to the Central Business District (CBD): “This affects the taxpayer in the most positive way. We are now nearer to our clients. More staff means faster and more meticulous service.”
Furthermore, the new premises will host a Taxpayer Support Centre to offer free services—such as assistance with filing returns and self-clearance—to help bridge the “tax knowledge gap” for taxpayers.
Setting the Record Straight on Rent
Addressing public concerns and social media speculation about the cost, Robert Kalumba explicitly dismissed circulating reports that the URA was paying Shs 18 billion annually for the new office space. He branded these claims as “false and misleading,” and reiterated that the procurement process was open, competitive, and fully compliant with the PPDA Act, underscoring the URA’s commitment to transparency and fiscal prudence.
Owned by Ruparelia Group, RR Pearl Tower One is, according to the developer, a benchmark Grade-A office space, featuring 16 floors of premium, customizable offices, offering a total of 24,000 sqm of lettable office space. The tower, which is part of the larger 18-acre Pearl Business Park, boasts a class-leading parking ratio with 360 dedicated on-site parking slots and over 1,000 overflow spaces within the business park, eliminating delays for teams and visitors.
To ensure business continuity and peace of mind, the building is equipped with reliable infrastructure, including three-phase power, energy-efficient systems, 24/7 backup power, duplex lifts, rooftop water reserves, smart office design, 24/7 CCTV, on-site personnel, and fire systems. Future development phases of the Pearl Business Park are set to include a 5-star hotel, a mall, and a hospital, positioning Pearl Tower One as the “bold home for Africa’s leading businesses” and Uganda’s most future-forward business ecosystem.
