Several individuals, private companies and government agencies were recognised as Uganda’s most compliant taxpayers for the year 2021 during the Tax Appreciation Awards held by Uganda Revenue Authority on Friday, 10 December 2021.
Speaking at the event at the URA headquarters in Kampala, the Commissioner General, Mr John Musinguzi Rujooki, said the awards are meant to show the public the value of paying taxes.
“As an organization, today is a crowning moment for a series of events we have had to celebrate the 30 years of our existence. Everyone of you is valued and treasured by URA. We cannot succeed on our mission without your support,” he said.
Mr Musinguzi added the event is also one of the ways by the tax body to increase public sensitisation about paying taxes.
“From the various engagements we have had with the taxpayers, it has come out that these people need more information on the taxes they are supposed to pay. We have therefore deepened our tax education to address this,” he said.
“We have enhanced most of our processes like filing and paying taxes to be done online. Our service lines have also been enhanced to offer customer care on a 24/7 basis,” he added.
Mr. Juma Kisaame , the chairman, Board of Directors of Uganda Revenue Authority, said Uganda is still a low-income country with high poverty levels.
“It is within this context that URA must be deliberate in reducing the tax gap. We will not get tired of engaging the public on their rights and obligations as far as tax compliance is concerned. We are open to suggestions and feedback,” he said.
In his remarks, Finance minister Matia Kasaija asked the taxpayers to always honour their tax obligation in good time. He said by doing so, they are indirectly investing in businesses and economic prosperity of the country and at the same time reducing his frequent trips to the Cabinet seeking to borrow.
LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
Excel Award
1. Citi Bank – for meeting all her monthly and annual obligations with 100 percent filling ratio.
2. Housing Finance
3. Davis & Shirtliff
Vantage Award
4. Pride Microfinance Limited (PMFL) — has proven to be loyal, dedicated, passionate and committed to filing accurate returns and paying taxes on time.
5. Uganda Clays – has proven to be very compliant and passionate about meeting their tax obligations as pertains timely filing and payments on time.
6. Uganda Batteries (UBL) – has proven to be very compliant and passionate about meeting its tax obligations by ensuring timely filing and payment of taxes.
7. DHL – for consistently fulfilling its tax obligations, providing excellent services and professionalism.
Central Region
8. Classic Africa Safaris (U) Ltd — the company is up-to-date with filing and payments and they always meet their tax obligations by the due date.
9. Mr Michael Kimoni Mutie – recognised for being the most compliant taxpayer in the central region
Northern Region
10. St Jude — has proven to be very compliant and passionate about meeting their tax obligation and one of the most compliant taxpayer in the northern region.
11. Mr Christopher Dau — is a renowned businessman in Lira City. He has proven to be very compliant and passionate about meeting his tax obligations as pertains timely filing and payments.
Western Region
12. Millennium Security Ltd – We commend and are proud to award Millenium Security Ltd as the most compliant taxpayer in the western region under the Non-Individual category.
13. Mr Goodman Muhangi — It is, therefore, our honour and privilege to recognise Mr Goodman Muhangi, as the most compliant taxpayer in the western region under the Individual category.
Eastern Region
14. United Worldwide Forwarders — timely pay taxes, file accurate returns and for that receive the award as the most compliant taxpayer in the eastern region under the Non-Individual category.
15. Mr Sigh gets the Vantage Award for the best individual taxpayer in the eastern region.
Wholesale Category
16. Aum Limited – recognised as one of the compliant taxpayers under Vantage Wholesale category.
17. Royal Pharma (U) Limited, one of the most compliant taxpayers under Vantage Wholesale category
Agriculture Sector
18. Incafex Ranches Ltd is a managing agent of various ranches – We commend and are proud to award Incafex Ranches Ltd as Vantage Award Winner under the manufacturing sector.
19. Fido Dido Industries –Vantage award winner under the manufacturing sector.
Real Estate Sector
20. Laaluma Nivas Limited – the most compliant taxpayer under the Real Estate Non-Individual category
21. Ms Dolatikhanu Madatali — the most compliant real estate taxpayer under the individual category.
MDA and Local Government
22. Mbabara University of Science and Technology (MUST) — URA commends the university for complying with the taxpayer obligations as stipulated in the Taxpayer Charter
23. Mbale District Local Government –became exemplary as they have adopted and coped with the e-TAX systems and other policy changes in real time.
Trailblazers
24. Ecobank Uganda — was the 1st e-Payment partner bank after the introduction of e-TAX, all partner banks collecting URA revenue were required to integrate their banking systems with e-TAX to ease reconciliation and enhance efficiency in revenue reporting.
25. United Bank for Africa (Uganda) Limited — was the first Online Payment partner bank with URA.
26. Spedag Interfreight — is one of the leading freight logistics companies in East Africa operating in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and DR Congo.
27. Nice House of Plastics — Nice House has always spearheaded technological and other innovations that greatly impacted URA operations over the years.
Commissioner General’s Award & Lifetime Achiever
28. The New Vision Printing & Publishing Company LTD – fully adopted and embraced the Electronic Fiscal Receipting Solution (EFRIS) – one of URA’s smart solutions aimed at improving business efficiency.
Commissioner General’s Award Strategic MDA
29. Uganda Registration Services Bureau – for contributing to URA revenue mobilisation efforts over the years.
30. National Planning Authority for contributing to URA revenue mobilisation efforts over the years.
31. URA salutes and appreciates the top management of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), for its gallant contribution to URA, in preparation for the mission to mobilise sufficient revenue that will deliver Uganda to economic independence.
32. ATAF – owing to the strong partnership between the tax prefect and the continental tax body
33. Institute of Internal Auditors – for upholding professionalism and integrity.
34. Southern & Eastern Africa Trade Information & Negotiations Institute (SEATINI) – this institution actively collaborates with URA in revenue mobilisation engagements aimed at advancing adoption of progressive tax policies in Uganda. We recognise SEATINI-Uganda, for the Commissioner General’s award for strategic professional body 2021.
URA Lifetime Achievers Award 2021.
35. Ms Allen Catherine Kagina, for Commissioner General
36. Ms Doris Akol
37. Hon Elly Rwakakoko – the first Ugandan URA Commissioner General, replacing Dr Edward Odame Larbi-Siaw, a Ghanaian expatriate whose tenure ended in 1997
38. Hon Gerald Ssendaula, Minister of Finance, he later led URA’s governing body.
39. Mr Keith Muhakanizi, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance. Remembered for his vehement support in the development of the Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Strategy
40. Mr Justin Zaake, former Deputy Commissioner General of URA
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