The three-day campaign, organised with KACITA, will educate traders on their rights, alternative dispute resolution and how to resolve disagreements with the Uganda Revenue Authority.
The Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT) will sensitise Kampala City traders on how to handle tax disputes with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), in an initiative aimed at helping businesses resolve disagreements more efficiently and reduce the cost of litigation.
The three-day campaign, dubbed “Enkayaana; Maya Eddembe Lyo”, will run from October 19 to 21 at Royal Complex Building Hotel on Nakasero Market Street.
It targets members of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) and other traders experiencing difficulties resolving tax-related complaints against URA.
The initiative is supported by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the Access to Justice for Sustainable Development (AJSD) programme.
TAT chairperson Crystal Kabajwara said the campaign seeks to clarify the tribunal’s mandate, which is distinct from URA’s role in assessing and collecting taxes.
She said many taxpayers misunderstand the tribunal’s responsibilities, often confusing its work with tax administration and enforcement.
“We are not going to enlighten Kampala City Traders on tax responsibilities like timely payment of taxes, as many people usually mistake our mandate. We are going to sensitise them on how to deal with tax-related disputes and how such disputes can sabotage the success of their businesses,” Kabajwara said.
The tribunal provides a forum through which taxpayers who disagree with URA decisions can challenge them and seek redress.
It also promotes alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation, as a way of resolving disagreements without necessarily pursuing lengthy litigation.
Kabajwara said the sensitisation campaign would help traders understand how to pursue their complaints and appreciate the role of the tribunal in balancing the interests of taxpayers and the tax authority.
She added that encouraging amicable settlements could also help reduce the backlog of disputes before the tribunal while allowing businesses to concentrate on their operations.
“We are happy for the 365 disputes handled in FY 2025/2026 while more than 334 applications were received. That represented more than a 37.5% year-on-year increase in resolutions and a 61% increase over four years. More importantly, money released back into the economy grew 52% year-on-year, supporting business continuity and investment,” Kabajwara said.
The tribunal previously identified public sensitisation as one of the channels for promoting tax justice during its Court Users Day at the Ministry of Finance.
It also reported that 61% of cases were resolved through mediation in the 2025/2026 financial year, highlighting the role of ADR in settling disputes.
Through the campaign, the tribunal intends to demonstrate how alternative dispute resolution can offer a quicker, less costly and confidential way of resolving tax disagreements while preserving working relationships between taxpayers and URA.
Kabajwara said the partnership with KACITA would help the tribunal reach traders directly and equip them with practical knowledge about their rights, obligations and the procedures for handling tax disputes.
“That is why we have partnered with KACITA to meet Kampala traders to educate them on their rights, obligations, record-keeping and how the tribunal works. A fair and efficient tax system works best when everyone plays their part. Taxpayers should keep proper books, invoices, receipts and contracts, engage URA early within the stipulated timelines and, if they still disagree, seek redress from the tribunal,” she said.
The tribunal is encouraging traders to maintain proper documentation and respond to tax assessments or queries within the applicable legal timelines. Such records can help substantiate their positions when disagreements arise and support the resolution of disputes.
The campaign is expected to give traders a clearer understanding of the available channels for challenging tax decisions, including when to engage URA and when to seek intervention from the tribunal.