URA Boss Musinguzi Is Confident That The  Authority Will Reach  The  FY2023/24  Revenue  Target  As  It  Hit A  100.25%  Target Last Year

By Gad Masereka

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) registered a tax revenue collection of up to UGX25,209.05 billion, exceeding the net revenue target of UGX25,151.57 billion. This represents a 100.25% performance with a surplus of 57.48 billion.

While presenting the performance report for the concluded financial year 2022–23 on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at URA Towers, the Commissioner General of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), John R. Musinguzi, attributed the remarkable performance to the stable and resilient economy, the loyal contributions of taxpayers, improved policy, and tax administration measures, among other interventions that were implemented during FY2022/23.

In FY 2022/23, URA had a net revenue target of UGX 25,151.57 billion. However, we surpassed this goal and collected UGX 25,209.05 billion. This represents a remarkable 100.23 percent performance with a surplus of UGX 57.48 billion. The year recorded a significant revenue growth of 16.40 percent (UGX 3,551.04 billion) compared to the previous financial year, thanks to the stable and resilient economic performance, enhanced administrative measures, and the cooperation of patriotic taxpayers,” he said.

During the same press conference on URA’s annual revenue performance, the Commissioner General said he is optimistic the tax body will hit the FY2023/24 tax revenue target and “will be able to rise to the challenge with the support of taxpayers’ collaboration, despite the higher tax revenue target.”

He said that the total domestic tax revenue collection for FY 2022–23 was UGX 16,425.41 billion, surpassing the target of UGX 16,188.51 billion by 101.46% and resulting in a surplus of UGX 236.89 billion. This represents a growth of UGX 2,761.52 billion (20.21%) compared to the previous fiscal year.

He added, however, that there were shortfalls in international tax collection and indirect taxes.

“However, indirect domestic taxes fell short of the target, with a deficit of UGX 553.54 billion. In terms of international tax collections, a total of UGX 9,326.64 billion was collected, which is slightly below the target of UGX 9,462.70 billion,” he said.

Among the tax administration measures implemented during FY 2023–24 were: increasing operational hours; improving arrears management; engaging with taxpayers to encourage compliance; utilizing mobile offices; increasing awareness through sensitization efforts; using alternative dispute resolution; implementing compliance initiatives such as audits and vetting; using the information to inform decision-making; conducting tax investigations; implementing a new performance management approach; and using technology in custom processes, among others.

The Executive Director of CSBAG, Julius Mukunda, raised a concern.

The Executive Director of Civil Society Budgeting Advocacy Group (CSBAG) Uganda, Julius Mukunda, who represented the civil society stakeholders, congratulated URA for hitting the target and requested URA to continue widening the tax base and cover all porous borders to curb smuggling, which he said is still a challenge to tax revenue collection in Uganda.