URA urges tax payers to embrace EFRIS

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has called upon taxpayers to embrace financial technology trends for easy payment of taxes and enhanced tax compliance.

John Musinguzi, the URA Commissioner General said electronic financial technology is meant to widen the tax base.

He said systems such as Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) Web portal, electronic data payment, and client ledger  among others are geared towards easing payments to taxpayers.

"Adoption to technology is the new way of doing things in enhancing tax collection and compliance," Musinguzi said.

Musinguzi was addressing participants during the 7th URA Annual Bank’s Appreciation Conference at the Sheraton Hotel.

The theme for this year's conference was 'Financial technology trends and financial inclusion for enhanced tax compliance and transformation of Uganda's economy'.

"Embrace the transformative potential of technology to ensure desired tax compliance and financial inclusion," said Musinguzi.

He said EFRIS has been implemented in phases and started with manufacturers, and whole sellers and is currently trickling down to retailers.

On the left: John Musinguzi, the URA Commissioner General handing over certificates of appreciation to Standard Chartered Bank representatives during this year's URA Annual Banks' Appreciation Conference

"We are continuing with the sensitization of traders on EFRIS to enable them to understand the system  and enjoy its benefits," he said 

He applauded the financial services sector that had contributed sh1.85T in collected taxes during the financial year 2022/2023.

"Traders should embrace technology to enhance financial inclusion that will in the end widen the base," said Musinguzi.

Moses Ogwapus,  the commissioner for the financial services department in the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development said economic transformation calls for producing new products on the market in new ways, starting new businesses and new industries, and selling new merchandise.

"To drive economic transformation, the country must isolate subsistence farming and promote productive manufacturing and high-value services," said Ogwapus.

He said the financial sector can drive the economy through risk management, infrastructure development, and promotion of innovative new companies, among others.

Charles Ocici, the Executive Director for Enterprise Uganda said that financial inclusion to be enhanced calls for trust as it involves character and competence

He said inclusion is frustrated by people who borrow money from financial institutions and fail to put it to the right cause for which it was borrowed while others might be honest but lack the competence to put it to the right use.

Fabian Kasi, the managing director for Centenary Bank said financial inclusion is a driver of business growth and sustainability.

He said financial inclusion can be ne achieved with the delivery of financial services at affordable costs to the disadvantaged and low-income segments of society 

Kasi said the bank contributed sh250b in different taxes like Corporations, Pay As You Earn (PAYE)  VAT, and Withholding, among others in 2023 with an average tax collection of  sh20.8b per month and employment of over 3,300 Ugandans.

Agnes Nabwire, the  URA's assistant commissioner for tax investigation said in a bit to enhance tax compliance among foreign companies operating in the country they are to start using the  Automatic Exchange Of Information  (AEOI) effective  September 2025.