The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has urged the judiciary to fast-track 58 pending tax disputes valued at over Shs671 billion, warning that delays are hindering revenue mobilization, investment, and national planning.
Speaking at the opening of a five-day judicial training for Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court justices in Entebbe, URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi Rujoki emphasized the critical role of timely tax dispute resolution in national development.
He noted that Uganda’s tax-to-GDP ratio currently stands at 13.9%, below the 20% needed for sustainable financing without excessive borrowing.
The training, organized in partnership with the Judicial Training Institute, focuses on complex tax matters, oil and gas taxation, and dispute resolution.
Deputy Chief Justice Dr Flavian Zeija acknowledged the judiciary’s backlog, calling for systemic reforms and adoption of digital tools to enhance efficiency.
Supreme Court Justice Mike Chibita hailed the program as a landmark effort to ensure informed and consistent appellate decisions.
Musinguzi described the judiciary as a strategic partner in building a strong tax system, emphasizing that effective tax justice fosters trust, voluntary compliance, and fiscal stability.