Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), together with the Finance Ministry have discussed the opportunities & responsibilities in the budget for FY 2023/24.

URA Commissioner General, John Musinguzi said Ugandans are expected to contribute Ushs 29.7 trillion next financial year, which is 56% of the National Budget, adding that he is confident that this will be achieved.

This was at the post-budget engagement that was officiated by the Minister of Finance, planning, and economic development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, in Kampala.

Following the national budget reading on 14th June 2023, URA in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, planning, and economic development has laid out the expectations and way forward in attaining a targeted 52.753 trillion to be collected as tax.

The URA Commissioner General, John Musinguzi assured Ugandans that the taxes have not increased from the previous.

He added that there has been a notable increase in the number of taxpayers, and highlighted some of the initiatives they will focus on to increase the tax base and distribute the tax burden.

Musinguzi urged the public to follow up on their tax payments especially VAT by stressing the need for an e-receipt, as a way of getting accountability.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, planning, and economic development, Hon. Henry Musasizi noted that Uganda’s economy has continued to grow steadfastly with GDP growth for the year ending 30 June 23 projected at 5.5% compared to 4.7% last FY. Musasizi called for the payment of taxes by citizens.

He expressed the agency’s intention to rebuild and ensure a good customer-agency relationship to boost and hit the intended tax revenue as the revenue collection target for the FY2023/24 budget is projected at Shs 52.7Trn compared to Shs48.1Trn this FY. The preparation of the budget estimates for Financial Year 2023/24 started in September 2022, involving wide consultation with stakeholders including the president of Uganda H.E. Yoweri Museveni.

MARY PRIMA AWOR