KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan traders are strongly criticizing the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) for enforcing tax regulations without properly involving them in planning processes, leading to ongoing clashes between the two groups.
The Uganda National Traders Alliance (UNATA) made the criticisms on Friday, saying their exclusion from tax policy development has resulted in a lack of understanding and mistrust of the authority’s regulations.
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“We are not just asking for inclusion, we are demanding it,” said Godfrey Katongole, president of UNATA. “We want to be part of the process of creating tax laws that affect our businesses.”
Katongole also highlighted the need for more education and sensitization on tax matters, saying that many traders lack a clear understanding of their tax obligations.
“The URA needs to do more to educate traders on tax compliance,” Katongole said. “We are not trying to evade taxes, but we need to know what is expected of us.”
Nicholas Aruho, who led the URA delegation at a meeting with traders, acknowledged that there are challenges in the relationship between the authority and traders.
“We recognize that there are issues that need to be addressed,” Aruho said. “We are committed to working with traders to resolve these issues and ensure smoother operations.”
However, Aruho did not directly address the traders’ demand for inclusion in tax policy development.
Separately, Katongole appealed to Kampala’s security agencies for help against groups of youths who are intimidating and harassing traders in the city.
“These gangs are using handcarts known as ‘ggali’ to extort money from traders,” Katongole said. “We need the security agencies to take action against these gangs and protect our traders.”
Abraham Tukundane, commander of the Central Police Station in Kampala, assured traders that authorities would not tolerate violence disguised as political activity.
“We will arrest anyone found engaging in such acts,” Tukundane said. “We urge traders to report any incidents of harassment or intimidation to the police.”
The meeting between traders and the URA was also attended by representatives from the Office of the President and the Ministry for Kampala Affairs.
Francis Adero from the Office of the President and Evelyn Atuhaire Kamya from the Ministry for Kampala Affairs supported the traders’ call for increased tax education, saying it would help reduce frustration and complaints.
