URA says linking tax identification numbers to national identity numbers will simplify tax administration without automatically making citizens taxpayers, as the forum explores ways to boost incomes and business growth.
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has defended its decision to link Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) to National Identification Numbers (NINs), saying the move will simplify tax administration, improve information sharing among government agencies and enhance service delivery.
URA Commissioner for Domestic Taxes Dennis Kugonza Kateeba said the linkage would reduce the need for citizens to repeatedly present physical documents when accessing government services, allowing agencies to share relevant information more efficiently.
Speaking at the close of the four-day seventh edition of the Uganda Economic Forum, Kateeba clarified that linking a person's NIN to URA does not automatically make them a taxpayer.
He explained that tax obligations depend on an individual's economic activities and the applicable tax laws, addressing concerns about the implications of linking personal identification details to the tax system.
Kateeba also urged business owners to embrace the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS), saying the system can simplify tax compliance, reduce accounting costs and improve financial record-keeping.
He added that proper financial records could help businesses seeking loans by making it easier to demonstrate their financial position to potential lenders.
Meanwhile, discussions at the forum turned to the challenges facing Uganda's creative industry, with experts urging artists and other content creators to understand their intellectual property rights and adopt more professional approaches to monetising their work.
Kenneth Muhangi, a partner at KTA Advocates, said many Ugandan creatives lose potential income because they lack sufficient knowledge of intellectual property rights and the mechanisms through which royalties are collected and distributed.
He urged creatives to understand the value of their work and the rights attached to it so they can benefit more fully from their creations.
UgaTunes Chief Executive Officer Shadrack Kisame also encouraged artists to embrace professionalism and digital platforms to generate income beyond live performances.
“Many of the creators are not professional, and they don’t have professionalism in their work,” Kisame said, urging creatives to use platforms such as UgaTunes to earn from their work even when they are not performing on stage.
The seventh edition of the Uganda Economic Forum ran for four days under the theme of putting money into people's pockets, bringing together stakeholders to discuss ways of translating the country's economic opportunities into improved household incomes, business growth and employment.
The discussions also covered tourism, mineral development and Uganda's preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with participants examining how these sectors could generate jobs, strengthen enterprises and improve livelihoods.
The forum concluded with calls for greater adoption of technology, improved business practices and stronger use of Uganda's economic potential to deliver tangible benefits to citizens.