Govt to Plant Trees, Account for Public Funds During URA’s Tax Payers’ Week

Under its annual initiative to account to Ugandans on how their taxes have been utilized, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is yet again set to hold a Tax Payer Appreciation Week.

The events which will run from September 26 and 28 are themed ‘Stronger Together’. Activities to characterize the week will include taxpayer visits in all regions by URA staff, interaction with the public, free services and a countrywide corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity.

In Kampala, at the Kololo independence grounds, numerous government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will explain to the citizens what services and programs their taxes have been spent on.

“Ultimately, this will increase awareness, promote Government programmes, transparency and accountability,” URA said in a statement issued Wednesday.

At Kololo, people will also receive free services namely legal advice, financial and tax advisory, verification of land titles and yellow fever vaccination for the one-week period.

Other services are HIV testing and counselling, Hepatitis B vaccination, sickle cell and cancer testing and registration of births and deaths.

“Additionally, 200 compliant taxpayers will exhibit their goods and services at no cost. An innovation village will showcase skills and businesses,” said this tax body.

The various MDAs will on September 21 be involved in a countrywide tree planting exercise meant to rejuvenate Uganda’s receding tree cover which has fallen sharply from 25% 30 years ago to 9% currently.

This is the first time the tree planting activity is happening, under the Tax Payer Appreciation Week.

National Forest Authority (NFA) has offered 10 million tree seedlings for free to be planted as part of this effort.

URA senior management will also visit small and medium taxpayers to appreciate them for contributing to nation development.

As is the custom, the week will climax with the awarding of taxpayers who excelled in tax compliance in the financial year 2017/18.