C-NEWS BUREAU CHIEF
At the recent launch of the Own Source Local Government Revenue Mobilization Strategy (OSLGRMS) on March 22 at the Imperial Royale Hotel, Kelemensio Busingye, Manager of Revenue Reconciliation at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), shared vital insights into the state of revenue mobilization within local government jurisdictions in Uganda. Busingye’s address provided a comprehensive overview of the strategies, achievements, and challenges encountered in enhancing local government revenue collections.
In his speech, Busingye emphasized the crucial role of collaborative efforts among government entities, highlighting the significant boost in revenue collections as a result of these synergies. The successful implementation of the Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy 2019/2020 – 2023/2024 has been a key factor in this revenue growth, fostering partnerships across different government agencies.
A notable achievement outlined by Busingye is the engagement of 155 out of 176 local governments with the URA. This collaboration has resulted in a substantial collection of 144.6 billion Ugandan Shillings over two and a half years. He explained URA’s comprehensive support to local governments, which includes helping with filing returns, facilitating timely payments, disseminating taxpayer information, and integrating local entities into URA’s revenue processing systems.
Despite these successes, Busingye acknowledged several areas needing improvement, such as the need for regular stakeholder engagements, better training initiatives, timely disbursement of funds, provision of tools and infrastructure, and expanding revenue collection channels. He stressed that addressing these issues would reduce compliance gaps and enhance overall revenue collection.
Busingye encouraged local governments to adapt to emerging IT trends, utilizing URA’s expertise to develop effective revenue strategies. He also highlighted URA’s commitment to improving client service delivery through upgraded contact centers, web chat facilities, and extensive tax education programs. Busingye recommended the adoption of voluntary disclosure initiatives and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to encourage compliance and resolve tax disputes.
Concluding his address, Busingye called for a collective effort from all stakeholders to realize the objectives of the OSLGRMS. He emphasized the importance of innovation and resilience in the face of revenue mobilization challenges, reiterating URA’s ongoing support for local governments in their crucial role in Uganda’s economic growth.
The launch of the OSLGRMS marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s commitment to strengthen revenue mobilization at the local level, promising a transformative journey towards sustainable economic growth and development nationwide.