The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has appointed Denis Kugonza Kateeba as the new Commissioner for Domestic Taxes (CDT), signaling a strategic leadership shift in the department responsible for mobilizing the bulk of the country’s tax revenue.
Kugonza assumes office as the directorate aims to meet a record Shs 33.18 trillion target in FY 2025/26, up from Shs 21.25 trillion collected in FY 2024/25.
Kugonza, who began his URA career in the Domestic Taxes Department in 2005, previously served as Commissioner for Tax Investigations (CTI) for four years, strengthening the authority’s fraud detection and enforcement capacity.
During his tenure, the department introduced digital forensic tools, created specialized units for high-risk sectors, and dismantled complex tax fraud schemes, including invoice trading and motor vehicle fraud.
He also spearheaded the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) law in 2023, enhancing cross-border tax transparency, and oversaw the rollout of withholding tax on agency banking.
URA officials credit him with building strong inter-agency collaborations, particularly with financial institutions and security agencies, to curb tax evasion and illicit financial flows.
Kugonza brings over two decades of experience in financial management, auditing, and taxation, with notable stints at the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), where he modernized financial systems and strengthened accountability.
Earlier, he gained private-sector experience in the UK with Howard Frank Chartered Accountants & Auditors, sharpening his insight into taxpayer compliance.
A Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Kugonza also holds an MBA in Public Sector Management and a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
He has completed advanced training in leadership, forensic auditing, and revenue intelligence from global institutions, including the World Bank, Crown Agents (London), and ESAMI.
Colleagues describe Kugonza as a quiet yet firm leader who emphasizes integrity, collaboration, and mentorship, with a zero-tolerance stance on corruption and a focus on inspiring professionalism among young officers.
As CDT, he is expected to prioritize digitizing tax systems, expanding the taxpayer register, strengthening compliance, and enhancing regional cooperation to combat cross-border tax fraud.
URA officials say his expertise, reform credentials, and integrity are crucial to meeting Uganda’s ambitious domestic revenue goals amid rising fiscal demands.