The Provincial Assembly of the Anglican Church in Uganda is currently underway at Uganda Christian University, Mukono, where hundreds of church leaders have gathered.
The ongoing assembly, which began on Wednesday, 21st August 2024, is being held at Nkoyoyo Hall and is chaired by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.
During the assembly, church leaders were reminded of their role in promoting economic development by encouraging the public to pay taxes.
Uganda is currently facing challenges in increasing its tax revenue, which is crucial for achieving middle-income status.
The country is struggling to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio from the current 13.7% to the 20% recommended by the World Bank. In comparison, Kenya's tax collection stands at 17.7% of GDP, while Rwanda leads the East African region at 21.3%.
GDP, or Gross Domestic Product, measures the monetary value of final goods and services produced within a country's borders over a specific period. It is a key indicator of a nation's economic performance.
John Musinguzi Rujoki, the commissioner general of the Uganda Revenue Authority, urged church leaders to actively promote tax education and awareness to help the country achieve the necessary revenue for economic development.
The Provincial Assembly, the supreme governing body of the Church of Uganda, meets every two years. It is a legislative body consisting of representatives from the Houses of Laity, Clergy, and Bishops, with each diocese sending delegates.
In a significant moment during the assembly, Equity Bank handed over the land title of Church House, located along Kampala Road, to the Church of Uganda.
This handover marks the full payment of the 62 billion shillings used to finance the construction of Church House and the official completion and transfer of the project to the Church.
