The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) teamed up with Mbale City Traders Association (MACITA) at Mbale Resort Hotel for the Voluntary Income Tax Assistant (VITA) training this Wednesday, equipping local traders and accountants with practical knowledge of URA processes.
For many like Hannington Ssempijja, an accounts officer at Casa Uganda Safaris & Lodges, who, for the past two months, has been stuck in a frustrating cycle of errors while trying to file his tax returns, this intensely practical and hands-on training, could not have come at a better time.
Ali Beid Tamim, the vice chairperson MACITA, expressed his gratitude towards URA for actively partnering with business associations to promote continued sensitisation of taxpayers. He noted that the greater Mbale business community is reaping dividends, especially in the area of sector-specific hands-on training. Ali called the tax waiver on interest and penalties, which he considers a sign of “goodwill” from the taxman, a “timely lifeline” and that has transformed the mindset of business people across the region.
“This waiver means that businesses can re-enter full compliance without the fear of historical debt slowing down their current growth. I consider it a magic bullet for future compliance initiatives, and I urge all members of MACITA to utilise this opportunity,” he said.
Under the 2025/26 tax waiver initiative, the URA is offering a 100% automatic waiver on all accumulated interest and penalties for those who settle their outstanding principal domestic tax liabilities by the deadline of June 30, 2026.
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