Leaders and traders in the Sebei region have asked URA to organize tax sensitization barazas across all town councils to improve understanding of taxation.

The appeal was made by Lasto Steven Cheromit, the Local Council III Chairperson of Binyiny Town Council in Kween District, during an engagement with URA officials aboard the Tujenge Bus on Tuesday.

He noted that many traders lack clarity on the different taxes collected by URA and local governments, leading to confusion and mistrust.

“We request for tax barazas in our town councils so traders can clearly understand who collects what,” Cheromit said. “Many traders are calling me, claiming URA is demanding taxes they already paid to the council. There is a lot of misinformation that needs to be addressed through proper tax education and sensitization.”

His concerns followed similar complaints from traders in Bukwo Town Council earlier this week.

Chemutai Justine, a shoe vendor, questioned what she perceived as overlapping tax obligations. “Both URA and the town council collect taxes. Isn’t that double taxation?” she asked. “Why can’t URA and the local government come together and explain the different taxes and how they are used?”

In response, Andrew Kyakonye, team lead of the Tujenge Bus initiative, said plans are underway to organize tax barazas aimed at educating taxpayers under the Kapchorwa Domestic Taxes Station.

Emokol Carlos Ogaino, the officer in charge of the Kapchorwa Domestic Taxes Station, acknowledged the growing demand for taxpayer engagement and commended the Tujenge Bus team for their outreach efforts.

“Traders have been requesting more tax education, and these door to door visits in Bukwo and Kween have significantly contributed to improving our revenue collections from 62.89% to 66.94% this financial year,” Ogaino noted.

The Tujenge Bus outreach campaign concluded on April 02nd, in Pallisa District under the Mbale Domestic Taxes Station.

By Kamugisha Kabahweza Allan