URA Requests Additional UGX 169 Billion for Staff Wages

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), has asked Parliament for an additional UGX 169 billion to cover wages for new staff.

Minister of State for Finance, Henry Musasizi, revealed that URA faces a budget cut of UGX 55.73 billion due to this underutilization.

This request comes despite URA not using its full wage budget for two years in a row.

Commissioner General John Musinguzi explained that the underutilization of the wage bill was due to delays in staff recruitment, which have now been addressed.

The budget for URA in the upcoming financial year is UGX 564.26 billion, slightly less than the current year’s budget of UGX 619.99 billion due to the budget cut. If approved, the additional funds would raise URA’s wage bill to UGX 366.770 billion.

MPs have expressed support for reinstating the cut, noting the importance of adequately resourcing URA, especially with new tax measures on the horizon.

Minister Musasizi stated that URA is expected to collect UGX 31.574 trillion to finance the 2024/25 national budget, an increase from the current target of UGX 29.672 trillion.

URA is also seeking additional funds for various purposes, including the development of an oil and gas monitoring system and establishing a Tax Academy.