The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has called on tax administrations across Africa to adopt scientific, data-driven strategies to curb tax fraud and illicit financial flows (IFFs).
Denis Kugonza, commissioner for the Tax Investigations Department at URA, made the appeal during the opening of a five-day technical training workshop in Kampala.
The training, organised with support from the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), focuses on leveraging evidence-based strategies to combat revenue leakages.
Kugonza emphasised that tax fraud is evolving rapidly, necessitating smarter and more sophisticated responses.
"Illicit financial flows and tax fraud continue to drain our economies. It is crucial that we embrace scientific and data-driven methods to tackle these challenges effectively," he said.
Caroline Mutabayarwa, head of the Tax Academy at ATAF in Pretoria, South Africa, commended URA for its commitment to strengthening tax administration in the region.
"This training will enhance our understanding of IFFs and their economic impact, demonstrating how scientific approaches can help mitigate their effects," she noted.
This marks the third such workshop held in Uganda, following previous sessions in 2018 and 2022.
The forum brings together tax experts from various African nations to exchange best practices in combating financial crimes and improving revenue collection.