The use of excessive and lethal force by URA on unarmed civilians - By Hon Oguzu Lee, MP Maracha Constituency.

By Oguzu Lee

Dear Commissioner General, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), I am writing to express our outrage and condemnation of the killings and shootings by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement officers in West Nile and other parts of the country. These actions are not only unlawful and inhumane, but also counterproductive to the goal of enhancing domestic resource mobilisation and fighting illicit financial flows.

We are appalled by the reports of innocent civilians being shot and killed by URA officers who are supposed to protect the public interest and uphold the rule of law. We demand that the perpetrators of these crimes be brought to justice and that the victims and their families be compensated for their losses. We also urge the URA to review its enforcement strategies and adopt a more humane and professional approach that respects human rights and due process.

We are equally concerned by the widespread and systematic tax evasion and avoidance by the wealthy individuals and multinational enterprises in Uganda, which deprive the country of much-needed revenue for development and service delivery. We call on the URA to intensify its efforts to combat these practices and ensure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes. We also urge the government to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for tax transparency and exchange of information, and to cooperate with regional and international partners to curb illicit financial flows.

We believe that a fair and effective tax system is essential for the social and economic development of Uganda, and that it should be based on the principles of equity, accountability, and human dignity. We hope that our letter will be taken seriously and that the URA will take immediate and concrete steps to address the issues raised.

Sincerely,

Oguzu Lee Denis (MP) 

Chair, Uganda Parliamentary Network on Illicit Financial Flows and Tax Justice.