Uganda’s Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has revealed that government is doing everything possible to deliver Uganda to a middle income status.
He says service delivery has improved over the years.
“The ultimate objective of the NRM government is to deliver Uganda to middle income status and I would like to note that we are on track to achieving this objective,” Rugunda said.
He made the remarks on Wednesday during the official launch of the National Budget Month for FY 2019/20 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
The event brings together all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to account to the public for the resources they received in the previous FY 2018/19.
Government had set 2020 as a target of achieving middle income status but this won’t be achieved, according to analysts and government officials. This is because Uganda’s Per Capita income remains low at below US$700 yet to achieve it should be above US$1,000.
The Prime Minister noted that government continues to invest heavily in infrastructure in order to lower the cost of doing business and facilitate the private sector.
“In this infrastructure drive, the National Paved Road network has increased from 3,050km (or 14.66% of the National Road Network) in 2008 to 4,551km (or 21.1% of the National Road Network) in 2017/18,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic said previously government didn’t consult Ugandans while coming up with budget estimates and allocations but this has since changed.
“Many years ago, the budget was kept a top secret by the Minister, the President and technical officers, but now information is before the public. I will be reading history (Budget reading is scheduled for Thursday next week),” he said.
Doris Akol, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner General said the tax body has invested a lot of money, time and effort in processes aimed at easing tax payment and compliance.
“We can be accessed easily across the country,” Akol said, adding that they are prepared than ever before to collect taxes in an efficient manner.
“As URA, we are committed to continue bridging the gap between ourselves and the taxpayers. We are what we are because of the taxpayer and we promise to proactively continue improving our services,” she added.
URA was tasked to collect Shs16.3 trillion in 2018/19 FY and all signs indicate that it will surpass its target. As of May this year, its performance stands at 89.5%. The tax body has surpassed its targets in the three quarters.
