The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has conducted a tax education workshop for 170 school proprietors and administrators in a bid to enhance tax compliance within the education sector.
The engagement, held at Wampeewo Primary School in Gayaza, was organized by the Gayaza Liaison Service Center in partnership with local government officials from Wakiso District and Kasangati Town Council.
URA officials educated school owners on critical tax obligations, including: Pay As You Earn (PAYE) – deductions on staff salaries, Withholding Tax – tax on services schools outsource and Income Tax – including revenue from property rentals, school fees, and other charges such as study tours.
Mayor of Kasangati Town Council, Tom Muwonge, praised URA for establishing a liaison office in the region, emphasizing that it will simplify tax registration and reduce tax collection costs.
“School directors, please register your schools and ensure proper enrolment as required by the government,” Muwonge advised.
He further cautioned that non-compliance could lead to government penalties, as URA is monitoring tax obligations closely.
Kiyingi Fredrick, the Wakiso District Education Officer, noted that many school owners struggle with tax compliance due to limited knowledge on filing returns and voluntary tax assessment. The workshop, he said, served as a crucial step in closing this gap.
Connie Mubiru Nakiwala, Head of URA’s Gayaza Liaison Office, encouraged school owners to take advantage of the session by registering their institutions and obtaining Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) for both the schools and their staff.
Chris Katamba, URA’s Manager of Domestic Taxes for Kampala Central South, emphasized the importance of self-assessment and the tax compliance cycle, stating:
“To achieve voluntary compliance, taxpayers must follow these steps: TIN application, return filing, and tax payment.” he said
He also advised schools to keep their contact details updated to ensure they receive official communications from URA.
During a Question and answer session, Hafsah Seguya from URA’s Tax Education Division reinforced the importance of voluntary compliance, timely return filing, and proper business registration to avoid unnecessary penalties.
