The Monitor (Kampala)
Ismail Musa Ladu and Faridah Kulabako
9 July 2009
Nakawa — The Uganda Revenue Authority yesterday disputed the Transparency International report that rated them the most corrupt revenue body in East Africa, saying the authors of the report sampled people who do not interface with the agency.
Mr Moses Kajubi, the commissioner domestic taxes, told journalists at URA headquarters in Nakawa that the TI report was based on the perceptions of an audience that does not directly benefit from services of the institution. "The sample that was interviewed was composed of 60 per cent rural residents and only 40 per cent urban dwellers yet most of them are people we don't tax," Mr Kajubi said, adding that the 60 per cent rural dwellers sampled are in farming, an activity that is not taxed.
Mr Kajubi said the perception in the latest TI report could have been based on previous image prior to 2005, which URA substantially addressed through massive restructuring and staff layoffs to bolster efficiency. He also said numerous measures to control corruption in various units within the institution were established including a 'compliance and the zero-tolerance to fraud' disciplinary unit which deals with internal corruption. Excerpts of the TI report were published by Daily Monitor on Monday.
Meanwhile, URA yesterday paraded a UPDF soldier arrested in the crackdown in the circulation of fake registration vehicle number plates in the country. Lt. Deus Katwesigye was arrested early this week with a Toyota Surf with a number plate, UAK 024V, for a Toyota Corona Premio which is registered in the name of Mr Duncan Bataaga of Bushenyi. UPDF spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye said yesterday that the army condemns such acts, adding that Lt. Katwesigye should be prosecuted.
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