Uganda's Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, has challenged newly recruited Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) staff to prioritize integrity, professionalism, and fairness in their work. This call was made during the pass-out ceremony of 174 newly recruited URA officers who completed a one-month leadership training at the Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership in Kaweweta. The Minister emphasized that their role goes beyond tax collection, as every interaction with a taxpayer is an opportunity to build public trust in URA and the government.
Minister Musasizi stressed that revenue administration must be anchored in fairness, professionalism, and integrity. He urged the officers to use the information, resources, and authority entrusted to them responsibly and help cultivate a culture where Ugandans appreciate that paying taxes is part of nation-building. The Minister also challenged the new staff to embrace technology and continuous learning, stressing that their ultimate duty is to serve Ugandans.
The training comes at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to boost domestic revenue, with a target of raising Uganda's revenue-to-GDP ratio from the current 14% to 20%. According to Minister Musasizi, Uganda's economy has grown to Shs 250.4 trillion, but the tax-to-GDP ratio remains at about 14%. The government aims to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization to finance development without excessive dependence on borrowing.
The government has prioritized widening the tax base, curbing evasion, and improving efficiency at URA as part of its strategy to finance development expenditure and reduce reliance on external borrowing. Minister Musasizi told the recruits that they have a responsibility to help build a culture in which Ugandans understand that paying taxes is part of building the country they all want.
The Minister made these remarks on September 22, 2026, during the pass-out ceremony of the 174 newly recruited URA officers. He emphasized that this is not the destination but the beginning of a greater responsibility for the recruits. The officers completed a one-month leadership training at the Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership in Kaweweta.
The government is committed to financing development expenditure and reducing reliance on external borrowing. To achieve this, the government is strengthening domestic revenue mobilization, with a focus on widening the tax base, curbing evasion, and improving efficiency at URA. The target is to raise Uganda's revenue-to-GDP ratio to at least 20%.
Minister Musasizi's call to the new URA recruits emphasizes the importance of integrity, professionalism, and fairness in revenue administration. The government aims to build a culture where Ugandans appreciate the importance of paying taxes in nation-building. The new recruits have a critical role to play in achieving this goal and contributing to Uganda's economic growth.
Key points
- The government aims to raise Uganda's revenue-to-GDP ratio from 14% to 20%.
- Minister Musasizi emphasized the importance of integrity, professionalism, and fairness in revenue administration.
- The government is strengthening domestic revenue mobilization to finance development without excessive dependence on borrowing.
