TAXMAN MAY 2018

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.”