Overview:
In his acceptance speech, Rujoki dedicated the award towards the tax collectors of Uganda.
The Commissioner General of Uganda Revenue Authority, Mr John Rujoki Musinguzi, has been accorded the Abeto Africa Award, a prestigious honour given to people who have greatly impacted on their countries and Africa.
The ABETO initiative was founded in 1995. Later, in 2009 the initiative kick started the Abeto Africa Peace Award aimed at recognizing the role of Pan African leaders.
In his acceptance speech, Rujoki dedicated the award towards the tax collectors of Uganda.
“I want to appreciate, and humbly accept this award. In the last three years at URA, we have registered revenue increment in 3 digits. Over the last FY alone, we grew revenue collection by 16.7%, that is about Ugx 5 Trillion and we are still doing more,” he said.
“All this growth has been done without introducing new taxes but by rather broadening the tax base. With tolerance and peace, URA is going to further increase the number of tax payers so that everyone can contribute to Uganda its fair share of tax,” he added.
He said Uganda will one day be fully financially independent and able to finance its needs without “begging.”
“I dedicate this award to the gallant men and women of URA for putting in the much needed strength to ensure that revenue mobilization is done,” he said.
The first recipients of this award include Nelson Mandela in 2009, President Kaguta Museveni in 2010 and former Tanzania President Julius Mwarimu Nyerere in 2011.