Tax collector Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) will focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in this year’s Tax Payers Appreciation Month (TPAM), commissioner General Doris Akol has said.
Addressing reporters during TPAM’s press launch at URA headquarters in Nakawa, Kampala, Akol explained the importance of SMEs to Uganda’s economy.
“They employ the majority of Ugandans, contribute 25% to the Gross Domestic Product and boost economic growth,” said Akol.
She also noted that at least the over 376,600 registered SMEs had grown to contribute more to the domestic taxes revenue target, increasing from Shs 7.5tn in the 2016/17 financial year to shs 9.8tn in FY 2018/2019.
The focus on SMEs, emphasized Akol, is “in appreciation of their role in national development”.
During the TPAM to be held under the them, ‘Everyone Counts’, URA will dedicate September 25-27, 2019 to help SMEs exhibit their products at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Experts will also offer SMEs staff skills through sessions dubbed ‘Bomba Ya Business’.
The three-day Kololo exhibition will also offer SMEs opportunities for marketing and networking.
Other TPAM Activities
- regional taxpayer visits in which URA Senior Management will visit and appreciate compliant taxpayers in all regions.
- corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by all URA staff on September 10, 2019
- URA Charity Tax Derby that will see URA Senior Management take on CEOs of major institutions in a football match to raise funds for Bwama Primary School children who cross Lake Bunyonyi, Kabale in rickety canoes
- CSR activities including free legal services, financial and tax advisory, yellow fever and Hepatitis B vaccination, career guidance, instant issuance of driving permits (not free), etc. at Kololo.
- Taxpayers Appreciation Day (TPAD), the climax of the appreciation month, on September 27, 2019 at Kololo where the best SME exhibitors and most compliant taxpayers will be awarded.
Anita Atuhaire contributed to this story.