The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Henry Musasizi has urged the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to bring more people into the tax net instead of squeezing businesses that already pay, as the government seeks to reduce reliance on borrowing.
Speaking at the graduation of 174 URA officials after leadership training in Kaweweta, Nakaseke District, Musasizi said the authority must close revenue gaps while supporting legitimate businesses.
He urged officials to use data and technology to detect non-compliance and treat taxpayers fairly.
“We want a URA way which ensures that every taxpayer in this country pays his due taxes,” he said.
The officials completed the Transformational Leadership Course, Intake 10/2026, at the Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership and Pan-African Centre of Excellence. URA organised the training with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
Musasizi said domestic revenue had risen from about Shs16 trillion in the 2019/20 financial year to Shs36 trillion in 2025/26. The government now wants to increase domestic revenue from about 14 per cent of gross domestic product to 20 per cent within five years.
He said Uganda could collect more by removing obstacles to tax collection. However, he warned that corruption within URA would undermine public trust and efforts to fund development from local resources.
“You don’t have to steal in order to be successful in life,” he said.
URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi pledged to meet the government’s Shs46.6 trillion domestic revenue target for the 2026/27 financial year. He said the trained officials would help the authority achieve it.
Musinguzi urged the graduates to apply their training at work and pledged to tackle corruption and indiscipline within URA.
He also credited the UPDF with supporting operations against smuggling along Uganda’s borders and waterways.
Representing the Chief of Defence Forces, Maj Gen Henry Masiko said stronger revenue collection would help fund security operations and improve the military’s capacity.
He urged the officials to reject corruption, laziness and self-interest, and embrace the government’s call for greater accountability.
The school’s commandant, Brig Gen Justus Rukundo, said the course covered leadership, patriotism and discipline. He challenged the graduates to continue learning and resist corruption, sectarianism and the pursuit of an easy life.