RUKUNGIRI- Uganda Revenue Authority has selected Immaculate Heart Girls, Buyanja SACCO, and Sena group of companies in Rukungiri district as the best tax payers 2024.
According to the URA Commissioner for Corporate Services, Mr. Richard Kariisa, these institutions from Rukungiri have been recognized for consistently honoring their tax obligations.
In his remarks, Kariisa thanked the selected institutions for not only ensuring timely tax payments but as well as setting an example of responsible citizenship stressing that once taxes are paid on time, it gives a chance for the government to provide social services to its citizens.
He added that taxes play a crucial role in the nation’s development, extending his appreciation to all taxpayers who have met their tax obligations and urged them to continue, since their efforts support the government to provide essential services.
Kariisa further noted that URA recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as rental property taxpayers, who have shown consistent improvement in their tax contributions and responsiveness to URA initiatives over the years.
Immaculate girls’ school Nyakibale Under the leadership of Sister Gladyce Kachope has not only excelled in academics but also became one of the largest taxpayers in the region—demonstrating the unique role educational institutions play in the economic and social fabric of Uganda.
“We have had no problem with the Uganda Revenue Authority,” Sister Kachope remarks confidently. “In my tenure, I’ve ensured that the school strictly follows the law.”
This commitment goes beyond just paying taxes; for Sister Kachope, it’s about giving back to a system that supports essential services, including education.
“Some of our teachers are paid by the government. If we weren’t compliant, they wouldn’t receive their salaries, and our children would suffer as a result.
The Commissioner for Corporate Services Mr. Kariisa acknowledged Sister Kachope’s unwavering transparency and dedication. He commended her not only for her leadership in education but for setting an example of responsible citizenship, highlighting her as a pioneer in advancing girl-child education across Uganda.
“By ensuring that Immaculate Girls School Nyakibale is a model taxpayer, she is contributing to the nation’s development and the future of its youths” said Kariisa.
Peter Twesigamukama, the regional manager of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) for Southwest Uganda, stressed the importance of taxpayer compliance, noting that tax revenues enable the government to deliver services to Ugandans.
Tweisgamukama remarked that this award honors the top taxpayers who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to and compliance with tax regulations.
As part of the URA’s recognition program, the awards are a token of appreciation for those who have embraced their civic duty in supporting the country’s economic transformation and the three institutions in Rungiri are among the 20 institutions that were selected in Western Uganda that will be rewarded and fully recognized on Wednesday at Lake View Hotel in Mbarara where they will have a dinner with the selected best tax payers from south western Uganda.
Employees from recognized companies, including Sister Gladys Kachope, headteacher of Immaculate Heart Girls; Olive Nayebare, manager of Buyanja SACCO; and Namara Betty Mutabazi, managing Seremu International, Sena Grand Hotel, and Sena Supermarket, expressed gratitude to the Uganda Revenue Authority for their acknowledgment.
They called upon all taxpayers to comply with tax regulations, stressing that fulfilling tax obligations is essential for accessing government services. They noted that while paying taxes requires significant sacrifice and comes with challenges, it is a crucial responsibility for every citizen.
However, Betty Namara observed that taxpayers who are not using EFRIS are hurting the economy and cheating those who are using the system appealing to them to use proper mechanism to sensitize business community on this system of tax compliance stressing that there cannot be fair competition when the traders in the same environment use different taxation mechanisms.