The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is a key governmental agency under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, tasked with the collection and accounting of tax revenues in Uganda. It operates primarily from its headquarters housed in URA Tower, a notable skyscraper in the Nakawa Industrial Area of Kampala.
Overview
URA was officially established in 1991, with the principal aim of enhancing tax collection which was significantly low at the time. Over the years, URA has made substantial strides in increasing Uganda’s tax-to-GDP ratio, with a notable increase from 6.83% in 1991 to 13% in 2015, with further ambitions to raise this to at least 16% by 2020.
Significant Leadership and Reforms
Under the leadership of various Commissioner Generals, the URA has seen significant reforms and improvements in tax collection mechanisms. Allen Kagina, in particular, is credited with spearheading major anti-corruption initiatives within the agency during her tenure from 2004 to 2014. The leadership baton was passed to John Musinguzi Rujoki in March 2020, who took over from Doris Akol.
Facilities
In a move to consolidate its operations and staff, URA completed a 22-storey tower next to its original headquarters in Nakawa in 2018, which was officially commissioned in January 2019. This modern facility is designed to accommodate most of the URA’s staff and operations under one roof to enhance efficiency.
Governance
URA is governed by a seven-member board of directors, responsible for overseeing the administration and strategic direction of the agency. This board is appointed by the Minister of Finance and includes distinguished members from various sectors.
Objectives and Functions
- Tax Collection: Efficiently collecting taxes to fund national development.
- Enforcement of Tax Laws: Ensuring compliance with tax laws through appropriate measures and audits.
- Service Improvement: Enhancing taxpayer services to improve compliance and satisfaction.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with various stakeholders to improve tax policy and administration.
The role of URA is critical in shaping Uganda’s economic landscape through effective revenue collection and management, which in turn supports governmental development projects and services.