TAXMAN MAY 2018

URA Scoops
PRAU Award
1

2
FROM THE EDITOR
Dear Colleagues,
I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for the
terrific job in your different offices of ensuring that “All your
Hands are on Deck”. I recognize the long hours some of you
are working and field operations you are engaged in. Such
devotion is crucial to us winning and assuring the sovereignty
of Uganda through collecting revenue that meets the national
budget requirements.
In a special way, I would like to recognize stations that have
already met their targets. This not only inspires the rest of
us to double our effort but is also confirmation that URA
staff have the capacity to uplift this country to unreachable
horizons!
Lastly, I encourage all of you to keep reading the Taxman and
sharing ideas as they happen in your places of operation.
Good Reading!
Vincent Seruma
Assistant Commissioner Public
and Corporate Affairs Division.

3
Editorial team
Ian. M. Rumanyika
Content Manager
Susan Kamugasa Muyiyi
Editor / Writer
Immaculate Wanyenze
Writer
Benon Tugumisirize
Writer & Photographer
Samuel Semugooma
Photographer
Solomon Kimbugwe
Photographer & Writer
Herbert Sempogo
Writer
How you can participate:
Send your contributions: story tips, pictures and
stories to the editor on media-desk@ura.go.ug

4

5
COMMISSIONER GENERAL’S
FOREWORD
Dear Staff.
We live in changing times. The
scope of our business changes
by the day and we ought to
be prepared for the changes. Soon
the reality of living in an oil producing
country will be upon us.
The advent of social media and the
hunger for information is one of the needs
we have to fill. We have to fill this need
with accurate, easily understandable
and relevant information about taxes.
The onus to influence opinions about
taxation is upon us. You have probably
seen the call to join the writer’s club.
Let your voice be heard. We have
many tax experts amongst us who are
knowledgeable about tax matters but
they are silent. I take this opportunity
to appreciate the staff who have taken
up the challenge. I am looking forward
to enjoying the fruit of this coalition. We
have to get our voices on the new tax
policies heard loud and clear.
Also new is the translators club. Tax
education is a major strategic direction
we have undertaken. We now have the
club. Well done!
I know what it means to have an
individual revenue target to accomplish.
But I also know that it can be surpassed
by working harder. Do not under look
your contribution however small.
Write that story, commentary properly
to inculcate a taxpaying culture by
gradually changing taxpayer behavior.
Make that audit worth your time. Do
not allow the arrears portfolio to grow
to unmanageable levels. Make sure that
office is clean and conducive for creative
thinking. Do not postpone what you
can do today. Provide that service with
purpose and passion.
I take this opportunity to empathize with
some of us who have lost their loved
ones. May their souls rest in eternal peace
and may they always be remembered.
The Financial Year 2017/18 is about to
end. What lessons can you pick from
what worked and what did not? How
prepared are you for the new one? One
of the exciting things we are looking
forward to in the coming year is when
we finally move into the new building.
Be encouraged to pursue great exploits
in both your personal and professional
lives.
In the words of Nelson Mandela, It always
seems Impossible until It Is Done!
Enjoy reading the Taxman.
Doris Akol.
Your Team Leader

6

7
‘NAME IT’
CAMPAIGN
Dear Staff,
A great opportunity is here for you to write your name in the
history of URA by participating in the competition to name the
new H.Q building. Great prizes are up for grabs!
As you take a break from the rigorous day’s activities, find time
to ponder on what name will best suit our magnificent tower. The
campaign will run from 4 th June - 30 th June, 2018. The rules of the
game are quite simple and are listed below:
NAME IT COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS:
• Entries will be submitted online.
• No group entries are allowed, persons should compete as
individuals.
• Name should be original and carry a full explanation behind it.
• Only one entry per person.
• A panel will shortlist the top 5 entries which will be
presented to MEC.
• The shortlisted participants will present to MEC.
• Final decision will be made by MEC.
• All staff are eligible except MEC, CSD Management and
members of the relocation team.
The name chosen will be copyrighted to URA
May the best man/woman win!!
Herbert Rusoke
Commissioner Corporate Services

8
URA TAX SOCIETIES
GROWING LEADERS
Jacob Kiige is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in
Law. He is the president of the Uganda Christian
University, (UCU) Tax Society. He spoke to the
Taxman about his leadership journey
By Susan Kamugasa Muyiyi
Jacob Kiige scored aggregates 18 in his primary leaving
examinations. Like any child, he was scared and
wondered what his parent’s reaction would be.
“I felt defeated when the results were announced. I feared to
approach my father,” he says. Instead his father congratulated
him.
“He is a positive person,” Kiige fondly says of his father.
The soft spoken gentleman speaks confidently but humbly
about his life and how he become the president of the Tax
Society. Naturally, he has a passion to change society. This
has led him to seek out leadership positions.
On how he handles his studies and the society’s activities.
“Multi-tasking and prioritizing,” he calmly notes.
During the Taxpayer Appreciation Week (TPAW) week he
was involved in the preparations. This was an in road for him
to get acquainted with the Public and Corporate Affairs team
under which the tax education mandate falls.
“I volunteered in manning the service points.”
At the university he creates awareness about the tax society
activities, gets involvement from his team and enrollment of
students into the society to bring brilliant ideas on board. His
team recently organized a tax debate under the theme The
Impact of Tax evasion and Avoidance on our Economy.
This goes to show that they are not waiting to be spoon fed
by URA. Although it was 2 weeks to the examination period,
about 213 students were mobilized and attended.
He believes that the team can come up with ideas on how
to better the tax system and create a feedback mechanism
during the budget breakfast.
“Critical issues like filing and paying, how tax education and
tax incentives for startups should be structured are very
important matters to resolve,” he notes.
URA, he notes should also focus on challenges people face
when trying to be complaint.
About the plans he has for the society, “The work plan is
exhaustive and beyond the tax debates I want them to be
relevant to society and the ordinary person outside the
Uganda Christian University Community.”
These will for instance reach students who are
outside and not interested in the debate format.
His Leadership Profile
“I am very passionate about leadership and
leaving a legacy in society,” he says.
Kiige says his leadership journey started when
he was 10 years. He was a class monitor and
prefect. He has so far held about 25 leadership
positions that come with diverse responsibilities.
These are mainly in youth groups where
practical skills are shared. In most of these
places, he has been seconded to lead.
So great is his passion that payment for his time
as president is the least of his worries. URA
does not pay him. It is his passion in whatever
space that he is provided with.
For fun he loves to hang out with friends. He
loves swimming. His guiding principle is that
there is a time for everything. He is passionate
about music.
He was born in 1996, attended Green Hill and
Kamuli boys boarding school, then Mwire
Secondary school. At the Kira College he
enjoyed music and dancing though he is not a
good dancer.
Tax societies are intellectual platforms
established by Uganda Revenue Authority

9
Captain Jacob Kiige with Samuel Taremwa his vice
(URA) in partnership with various
universities in Uganda. So far, the
authority is partnering with 10
universities in this venture. They
are, Uganda Christian University
(UCU) -Mukono, Nkumba, Uganda
Martyrs (Rubaga, Mbale and Nkozi
Campuses), Ndejje, (Main and
Rubaga Campuses), Makerere
University Business School
(MUBS), Mountains of the Moon
and Kyambogo Universities. The
first tax society was established on
20th April 2017 at UCU.
The composition of a tax society
includes an executive board of
students with a president, vice
president, general secretary,
publicity secretary and a treasurer.
The board is guided by two
patrons; a resident patron from
the university and URA station
manager in the vicinity of the
University.
In order to create a taxpaying
culture according to the 2016-
2020 authority’s strategic focus,
influencing taxpayer behavior
at an early stage by embracing
youth ambassadors is one of the
initiatives URA has undertaken.
Tax societies have been established
to extend tax education within the
universities and the surrounding
communities. The leadership of the
societies is hands on in the execution
of Tax debates, university bazaars,
tax discussions amongst other
activities, notes Vincent Seruma
the Assistant Commissioner Public
and Corporate Affairs Division and
also the URA spokesperson.
Some of the ideas that have been
proposed by the university students
include; to have consistent mobile
Taxpayer Identification Number
(TIN) application drives within
business hubs, the mandate of
URA should be revised to include
allocation of revenue collected,
taxation of churches, taxing
dormant land, satellite mapping in
rental tax collection. The students
suggest that URA should interest
itself in people earning from the
crypto currency.
Other milestones include;
significant membership with an
average of about 500 members
and 265 fully subscribed to one of
the societies.
Members voluntarily pay a minimal
membership fee prescribed by the
respective societies. Recognition
of the societies by both University
Administration(s) and students
goes to show that the initiative is a
great one, adds Seruma.
So far, 16 tax debates have been
held since the societies were
birthed. Some of the themes that
have been discussed include; Role
of ICT in Widening The Tax Base,
The Impact of the Social Media Tax
on the Economy, The Advantages
of Having a TIN, The Remedy
to Uganda’s Public Financing
Problem.
UCU organized a tax debate
together with UCU Launchpad -
a university think tank and a tax
essay competition on the role of
ICT in increasing the tax base in
Uganda.
The future of the societies
according the Seruma is bright.
“Inter-University Tax Society
Competitions such as Moot
Competitions on Tax Laws/
concluded cases Tax Debates, Tax
Quizzes will be very prominent.
We are also planning to have Tax
Society Think tanks amongst the
various initiatives we are working
on,” he reveals.
Increase in membership of the
societies is an initiative the societies
are working on.
URA is also making inroads into the
curriculum review for secondary
schools with the National
Curriculum Development Center
(NCDC).

10
People
Meet one of our
Research Assistants
David Henning
Interview by Gloria
Nshekanabo
Research Planning and
Development (RPD)
is a Division in the
office of the Commissioner
General mandated to provide
technical advice to URA in the
development and execution
of strategy and business
development.
Proactive research is carried
out to provide solutions to the
increasing challenges in tax
collection and administration.
Research is a global function
and URA definitely relates
with other global researchers.
The Division has been host to
various researchers from all
over the world.
Where are you from and
which organization do you
represent?
Most people would argue that
I am German. I was born in
Germany, both my parents are
German and I have German
citizenship. However, my
identity is heavily influenced
by my Norwegian upbringing.
That is to say, whenever I
meet a person from Norway,
we have a lot in common,
more than when I meet
someone from Germany. In
addition, my family currently
resides in Norway, which
makes Norway “home”. I
would therefore introduce
myself as Norwegian.
I work for researchers from
the University of Warwick,
Columbia University
and Paris School of
Economics. However, our
funding organization is the
International Growth Center.
I therefore guess, ultimately,
I represent the International
Growth Center in my work
here.
What do you do?
My official title is “Field
Research Assistant”, which
means I assist the professors
in their research endeavor
with URA. I am based in
RPD, from where I: analyze
data, discuss inconsistencies
found with URA officials, ask
for clarifications regarding
variable definitions, try
to understand the laws
and regulations that
guide taxpayers’ behavior,
collaborate with the relevant
departments to execute
our research, draft reports
about how the research is
progressing and present
our results to relevant
stakeholders. I have also
given a one-week training
course in data analytics to
staff in Domestic Taxes DT
and Customs, and whenever
someone has questions about
data analytics, I try to assist
to the best of my ability.
How do you find working
here?
My time here has been
wonderful. I have found the
people working here to be
extremely friendly, welcoming
and helpful. Especially that
last point, helpful, has been
crucial for advancing the
research we are pursuing.
Furthermore, I have also

11
found it really interesting.
My colleagues have taught
me a lot about Ugandan
culture, society, and general
practices. It has been fun to
discuss and debate different
points of view, and the new
perspectives I was confronted
with have changed my mind
in many instances.
What good have you learnt
from RPD?
It is difficult to put into
specific words what I have
learnt during my stay here,
but I will do my best. Firstly,
I have, of course, learnt a
lot about the research that
is done here. I have been
introduced both to the type
of research conducted by the
URA and how such research
is executed. Secondly, I have
become familiar with the
organizational structure. That
is to say, I have learnt how the
organization is subdivided
into departments and units,
and how they interact to
promote the URA’s goals.
Thirdly, I have learnt how data
is collected and processed
through different systems,
and how it can be accessed.
More broadly speaking,
because this is my first
research project, I have learnt
how to conduct economic
research and analyze data.
Indeed, all of my data analytic
skills have been acquired
while working in RPD. Lastly,
working here has taught me
about the importance of dress
codes, especially keeping
your shoes and cars (or in
my case, motorbike) clean.
My colleagues would point
out that I am extremely bad
at following it, my shoes are
often dusty, but I can assure
you the situation was a lot
worse before I came here.
Would you recommend
the next person from your
country to work with URA?
Why?
If I find someone who is
interested in tax policy in
Africa, yes, for sure! Firstly,
because he can learn how
tax policy is developed and
implemented by an advanced
tax authority. Secondly,
he can learn about what
challenges a tax authority
faces in an economy that is
to a large extent informal.
Thirdly, URA is a fun place to
work!
What do you think staff in
RPD will remember you for?
Oh gosh, that is a difficult
question. I think they will
remember me for my energy,
passion and general good
mood. I do hope they will
also remember me for my
willingness to help and
kindness.
What will URA and Uganda
benefit from the research
you are conducting?
We hope that our research
will improve the compliance
behavior of firms in Uganda.
As such, it will benefit URA by
raising the revenue collected,
and it will benefit Uganda by
increasing the Governments’
ability to fund various
initiatives. Our research is an
example of how to analyze
firm-behavior using URA
data, so we further hope
that it will encourage URA
to adapt more such analyzes
in the future. Lastly, our
research utilizes state of the
art evaluation techniques, and
we hope the URA will adapt
these to an ever-increasing
extent moving forward. With
the ultimate aim of boosting
revenue collections.

12
VINCENT SERUMA
REVEALED
For the first time in URA, members of
senior management were transferred
across departments. Susan Kamugasa
Muyiyi the Taxman’ daring snoop caught
up with Vincent Seruma the Assistant
Commissioner Public and Corporate Affairs
formerly AC Human Resource (HR) Division
under Corporate Services for a candid
conversation about the changes.
Q. How did you feel when you
received news about your transfer
from the Human Resource Division
to the Public and Corporate Affairs
Division?
A. I had mixed feelings. I wondered
what it meant in terms of my career.
By the time I was transferred, I had
worked for 13 years in the Human
Resource function. When I retire
from URA in a few years’ time after
20- years of service, what will I define
myself as; as a Human Resource
professional or Public and Corporate
Affairs expert?
It bothered me. Maybe it is still
something I am still battling with.
My work philosophy is to always get
things done regardless of where my
posting is.
had to counsel myself that it did not
have to be me to do finish all the work
I had started. Someone else other
than myself can ably see all outputs
through. I had to painfully drop
designing a 360 degree assessment
leadership tool in the middle of testing
and deployment.
In HR, I had already gone through the
team formation process. I was at that
point where I was getting my teams
to know me well and the other way
round. . Having to be uprooted after
13 years was not easy. I love working
in an environment of continuous
innovation.
I was thinking, how am I going to start
this all over again? Discussing how
we were going to work and getting
output from the team, getting to
I had become attached to HR; the
plans and projects I had for HR. I
had to immediately detach myself. I

13
monitor social media vigilantly. Courting
media including Red Pepper. I have been
to that media house several times. This
is something I still do.
I read a lot and follow some media gurus
to keep abreast with what is going on.
I also study relevant cases and their
application in my context of work to
be at the top of my game. I met and
engaged with the regional spokespeople
who represent us at the regional level. I
have not done intensive formal training
in media management as yet.
I have also had to adopt continuous
engagement including establishing
WhatsApp group and the willingness to
pick calls all the time.
The other key issue for me was to get to
know the people on the team and how
they work. I may not fully know them
but I have a fair idea of how everyone on
my team works. From my assessment of
the team, I realized that they were/are
willing and ready to work with me.
The team also had their own fears. I was
told that my team feared me. They had
been told that I was a very tough guy.
know the people on the team.
Q. What were your first 100 days
like?
The first thing that was critical for me
to establish was the mindset that I can
apply myself regardless of where I am.
I had to get to know the key media
personalities in this country. Those
that influence opinion and reaching
out to them. These have been useful as
they notify me about bad press even
before it comes to my attention. They
also offer free radio and TV space on
short notice.
I read the papers every day and
The team was closely studying my style
of work. I chose to be who I am. I decided
to be clear about my expectations and
we agree to fight together. Even when I
boil, the team knows that I need results
and that it is never something personal.
Internally I had to deal with people
issues. That is all I can say.
In terms of expected outputs, I had to
quickly identify the key activities.
My team is a team with high energy.
I decided to build on the efforts of
my predecessor Sarah Banage, the
Executive Assistant to Commissioner
General had started.
I interested myself on what happens
around. Before becoming the ACPCA,
I was not very active on social media,
Twitter and Facebook. I had to get help
in knowing how these things work and

14
be on the lookout for what is happening
in the news.
I also had to seek a mentor, a media guru
to get guidance. I got two, a lady and
gentleman to guide me on how to handle
the media.
How have you settled into your new
role?
My style of work. I like to sit down with
a team to understand what we want to
achieve before we even start. In most
cases, writing concept notes for key
projects, making sure the responsibility
centers are clear. When things are not
going as expected, I roll my sleeves. I
can be very unforgiving when one is
significantly failing in their tasks.
I don’t forget important tasks either. I like
to brain storm and work with the team
to generate ideas. I am also quite flexible
with appointments. I can sign documents
from anywhere.
I am a very strict person but I have learnt to
casually relate with my team and I believe
that I have managed to break the power
barrier. I have heard to be deliberate about
cracking jokes and having outings.
I have heard to study my boss. The
Commissioner General is my principle
employer. What she likes, does not like,
her style of work thought process and
expected output. The way I related
with her when I was still at HR was very
different.
I have also realized that there is so much
that URA needs to do in terms of public
relations and communication within
limited resources.
Future Plans
Media Management
I would like to establish consistent
technical tax training for journalists so that
they can report from an informed point of
view. I intend for us to seriously review the
communication channels to determine
which ones to drop.
Making sure that we have comprehensive
MOUS with key media houses to reduce
expenses on media buying is a key priority
area. We will also have increased technical
visibility of the URA brand by having more
stories written without prompting by bad
press from the media.

15
Tax Education
Translated videos in local
languages on a step to step
How to about the various selfservice
facilities we have put in
place. We will pass on other
information through drama and
sponsoring Music, Dance and
Drama competitions. School
outreach programs that are
already underway will help us
create young tax ambassadors
to influence their peers into
embracing a tax paying culture.
We plan to hold more taxpayer
engagements in the districts to
help dispel the misinformation
and strengthen relations within
the communities.
Client Support
We are working on promoting all
our services channels including
all payment platforms.
Corporate Image
Protecting our corporate image
especially during bad press is
paramount. The best public
relations strategy is anchored on
how best we offer our services.
This has to be consistently good.
Fears
This is not a job for the faint
hearted. I am always on call. Bad
news always spreads faster than
the good news like a bush fire in
a hot season.
In such situations, my first
instinct is to get the facts from
a reliable source.
Depending on the nature of
the issue, I notify my boss and
reach out immediately using
our social media team. I call the
media houses without waiting
for them to call. I brain storm
with my team and agree on the
position. I also reach out to some
confidants who work with us by
proxy to rectify the situation.
You don’t know how the day
will begin and end. I don’t know
what to expect and the hardest
thing is that you are not in
control of the happenings. The
growing hostility of the public
towards URA’s operations is
also of bother to me. However,
we have a great opportunity to
have news out every day given
the interest that the public has
in the organization.
Best moments
Corporation with other
government communicators
and from my predecessor. The
other is when we coordinated
the first Taxpayer Appreciation
Week (TPAW) at Kololo under
the My Taxes Work theme.
This is because it provided an
opportunity for URA to account
to the public and for government
to give back to the people. I was
thrilled by the people’s interest.
We had crowds at the venue
on all the days. The successful
execution of this event helped
us win the best Public Sector
campaign award during the 2018
Public Relations Association of
Uganda Excellence Awards.
The other highlight is the
Kasese/Mpondwe engagement
in Collaboration with the
members of parliament from
the area.
Aside from your work with
URA what other ventures are
you involved in?
I am a farmer.
I work with the church to provide
administrative support through
planning and strategy.
I am a very visual person. I listen
to Ted Talks. I am a not very
enthusiastic Manchester United
fan. I would rather spend time
with my family and not glossing
through a book.
WHAT HIS TEAM SAYS ABOUT HIM
“That man is a work horse. He
pays attention to detail, keeps
time and likes things done
systematically in an orderly
manner.”
“He is incredibly good. I am a big
fan of his work methods. He is
hands on. He takes the trouble to
learn the processes. He is involved.
He clarifies his expectations for
assignments and never takes no for
an answer. He celebrates success.”
“He is always open to review.
He has sought feedback from
me about how he performed
at a certain talk show. That is
humility!”
“He electrified the team. He
rejuvenated certain energies in
people, empowering them to do
great.
“He never uses the old script
for doing anything even when
your brain is burnt out. He gets
involved not the kind of person
who walks in on the last day of an
event.”
“He gives direction. He is very
demanding though he gives you
distance to do your work. He
brings out the best you can give.
He is an army commander ahead of
his troops. Tadumira kuvamabega.”
“You can say no to Vincent, argue
at the same level. He creates that
kind of environment around him.”
“He is good. He empowers gives
you a task and direction and a
deadline. A good team player. He
has an open door policy. You don’t
have to have an appointment to
engage him.”
“He is fun to work with gives you
a chance to independently think
you feel you have owned the
outcome of the assignment even
when he guided you all along. He
is passionate about his work. He
does not give up on people.”

16
10 Bicycles winners in Lira
being addressed by the RDC
Leaving no stone
unturned. Shaking
the raffle bucket
Kabale Winner receives his bike from Arnold the station
head in set is Louis one of the MCs for the day
Samuel Mwangushya wins one of the first motor cycles in
Fortportal during the Mpa Receipt Yange campaign in Fort portal

RECEIPT CAMPAIGN
17
Auntie Flo from Jinja
wins another bike
Along Kasese Road in Fortportal
Staff take a moment to relax during the Receipt campaign

18
#MYTAXESWORK WINS
BEST PUBLIC SECTOR
CAMPAIGN AWARD
By Herbert Ssempogo
IT was a leap of faith when
Uganda Revenue Authority
(URA) submitted an entry for
a competitive public relations
award.
The deadline was nigh and the
process was rather rigorouscomprising
several descriptive
narrations online. It was a race
against time.
Nonetheless, as darkness
crept onto the skyline on Holy
Thursday, an entry for the
#MyTaxesWork under Best
Public Sector Campaign, was
submitted.
In the three-day event
spearheaded by the URA,
Ministries, Departments, and
Agencies (MDAs) showcased
how government revenue is
used.
This was in addition to offering
free services at the Kololo
Independence Grounds where
the event was held. It was the
basis of the URA entry.
A week after the hasty
submission, the Public Relations
Association of Uganda (PRAU)
organised an awards dinner
at which individuals and
institutions that shone were
honoured.
Despite the excellent décor-a
red and theme, a sumptuous
meal and band music, the URA
team were a little anxious.
There was competition from
other institutions.
Desirous of the award in
the same category were
National Water and Sewerage
Corporation and National
Medical Stores, a partner in the
#MyTaxesWork campaign.
The team lead by Assistant
Commissioner, Public &
Corporate Affairs, Vincent
Seruma received the award
from ICT & National Guidance
Minister, Frank Tumwebaze.
Seruma acknowledged MDAs
and staff, who participated in
#MyTaxesWork. He dedicated
the award-a gold coated
trophy-to taxpayers.

19
The awards are an annual event
on the PRAU calendar and are
meant to inculcate excellence in
communication.
URA has won several PRAU
awards. Among them are the
following;
• 2009 Best Event for the
African Tax Administration
Forum’s (ATAF’s)
• 2009 Best Public Sector
Campaign
• 2011 Best Internal Magazine
– The Taxman Magazine
• 2011 Best People’s choice
award
• 2012 Best Media
management campaign –
Wiping out the deficit
• 2012 Best Internal
Communications campaign
- Managers’ Forum to wipeout
the revenue deficit.

20

The Hands on Deck campaign is
geared at firing us up to collect above
our target. MPCA excites Busia staff
during the launch of the campaign
21

22
Let Our
Stakeholders
Hear One Voice
By Hudson Kalema - Supervisor Client
Support unit, Public & Corporate Affairs,
also in charge of institutionalizing
Stakeholder Engagements in URA
Stakeholders are individuals
who represent specific
interest groups served by
the outcomes and performance
of URA. At a corporate level,
there are primary stakeholders
that we must engage and these
include; media, Government,
Regulatory bodies,
Management & staff etc.
As part of URA Strategic
direction (2016-2020) under
the key pillar of Productive
Partnerships, stakeholder
engagement is key in the
successful achievement of
the URA’s mandate because
stakeholders are our partners in
revenue mobilization
URA key stakeholders are
strategic in nature because
they can affect our business
positively or negatively.
Corporate stakeholder
engagements aim at creating
positive relationships through
appropriate management of
stakeholder expectations and
agreed objectives.
Optimising stakeholder
relations will help URA maintain
productive partnerships which
will result into;
a) Cultivating a taxpaying
culture that enhances
voluntary compliance
b) Increasing stakeholder
participation in policy or
process developments
c) Enhancing stakeholder
participation in revenue
mobilization
d) Enhancing good
stakeholder relations
e) Improving the climate of
“doing business”
At present, URA holds
stakeholder engagements but
in a clustered format. Different
business units have their
key stakeholders who they
engage in varying principles
and this has deprived URA of
some added value expected
like analysis and reporting,
planning, drawing synergies,
developing and maintaining
relationships and so many
others.
Best practice as per the
benchmarks we conducted

23
indicate that this function
needs to be streamlined under
one accountability centre.
During the closure of the
Service Support Enhancement
Project (SSEP), this function
was streamlined to PCA in
2015. Since then, the intended
objective of streamlining did
not take course because the
respective business units are
fully in charge of budgets fully
manage this entire Stakeholder
engagement process.
Aligning the planning,
budgeting, implementation,
analysis and reporting
responsibilities under PCA
would indeed help URA
achieve her Strategic goals.
However, close collaboration
with affected business units will
still continue because they are
the subject matter experts
For URA to provide the
required level of service to its
stakeholders, it is very critical
that we:-
1. Have the ability to address
the right stakeholder needs
and wants plus the needs
and wants of URA from those
stakeholders. The stakeholders
can have a massive impact
on the organisation and on its
ability to perform;
2. Develop and align
performance measures to
the organisational strategies,
processes and capabilities
(people, culture, infrastructure
and technology) with the aim
of meeting the above sets of
needs and wants.
For the above to happen,
measures should be aligned to
the URA strategies across the
functions in the value chain.
The support functions should
align their strategies to those
of the operational functions to
ensure a seamless attainment
of the overall desired
performance.
In conclusion,
Stakeholder engagement helps
you to manage the politics
that can often come with the
organisation / major projects. It
helps you win support for your
organisation / projects and
eliminates a major source of
project and work stress.

24
URA launches the
Translators Club
By Joseph Willigers
Akin to a vast virgin garden
awaiting seed and sowers,
taxpayers have for years
hungered for tax literature in
local languages.
Moreover, majority of business
operations (more so the
informal sector) in Uganda are
transacted and aided by the
local languages/dialects.
Following two scouting
rounds for individuals, who
could translate tax literature,
a total of 120 staff submitted
applications.
After tests and examinations
assessed by Makerere
University’s Institute of
Languages, a total of 19,
who excelled, have been
commissioned.
They received appointment
letters from the Assistant
Commissioner Public and
Corporate Affairs, Vincent
Seruma at the Nakawa HQ
recently.
They will routinely translate
URA Tax literature into other
Ugandan languages based on
the fact that Uganda many
people prefer a local language
in order to appreciate URA
service.
Going forward, laws/articles,
concepts and ideas among
others will be translated into
four pilot languages namely
Runyakitara, Luo, Langi and
Luganda.
In a brief remark, Seruma
stated, “I am pleased to inform
you that you have been
appointed on a part-time basis.
This role should not interfere
with your responsibilities at
your respective duty stations
because you are expected to
work during flexible hours.”
One of the translators,
David Otim, an Enforcement
Supervisor in Domestic Taxes
said, “Having the documents

25
in [the locals’] own language
will make them appreciate
URA for recognizing them but
also indirectly improve their
compliance.”
Many business folk, he added,
are illiterate and would,
therefore, acquire knowledge
of the tax issues when the
literature in published.
Addressing the translators,
Manager Public and Corporate
Affair, Ian Rumanyika
emphasized the importance of
maintaining the structure and
style of the original texts of the
tax materials while keeping the
meaning of ideas and facts of
the original tax law accurate.
“Whereas languages may
be translated into, there must
not be misrepresentation of
the legal terminology yet at
the same time the messages
must be simple. You must
pay strict attention to cultural
references including slang and
other expressions that may not
translate literally,” he said.
Other matters discussed
included widening the
Translators Club to include
other stakeholders like SMEs to
quality assure and interaction
with users after the first batch
of work is done (feedback)
plus adherence to timelines
and resource tools (reference
books/library).
The commissioned translators
are; Maurine Konga, Jim
Kagolo, Betty Achan,
Christopher Kirumira, Mariam
Nakabugo, Mary Nyangoma,
Rita Mayanja and Patrick
Bitamazire.
Others are John Bosco
Muhwezi, Peter Twesiga
Mukama, Godfrey Mutebi,
Jovile Mungyereza, Wilberforce
Ssempijja, Hafsah Sseguya,
Theopista Namawejje, Monica
Mpairwe, Jane Ashaba,
Marcelino Tumwine and David
Otim

26
SNAPPED- Guess
where this picture
was taken from.
The winner of the first snapped
corner will be announced very soon
and a great reward awaits them.
Continue reading the Taxman your
favorite magazine.

Thank you for guessing right
Patrick Mukiibi and Patrick
Muheire MD Stanbic Bank at the
launch of an online payment
platform with the bank
27

28
URA AT THE RECENT
CORPORATE LEAGUE EVENT

THE URA HOME
TAKING SHAPE
29

30

31

32