OPINION: Paying Tax is key to Ugandas realization of the Budget Needs

The 2022/2023 budget has special focus on economic recovery and with all the best intentions from government. However, it stands to be a myth if Ugandans don’t take it upon themselves to see what part they play in the story.

Some Ugandans are not even bothered that budget was approved and will be read to Ugandans. They think that it’s none of their business but forget that without understanding it we cannot understand the part we play in managing, controlling and funding the budget.

The 40% budget funding gap will need to be closed by increased private-sector ventures. This calls for Ugandans to be more creative, innovative and intentional about increasing their incomes and of course tax compliant. Increased domestic tax base creates sustainability of the economy.

With experience, very few people or to be specific Ugandans especially small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are excited about paying of taxes without Uganda Revenue Authority policing them or first closing their businesses before they can comply.

Uganda has budgeted to spend 47.1 trillion in the Financial Year 2022/23 and Uganda Revenue Authority anticipates that 25 trillion will be collected from domestic taxes. This means that over 22 trillion has to be borrowed from other sources or donated to us. The story can be changed if we all raised our patriotic antennas.

While borrowing helps the Nation meet its needs, it keeps it in a vulnerable position.

For example we all know that donations always come with attached conditions just like the money that is borrowed. This should be motivation enough for Ugandans to work hard but also pay taxes. The Bibles says, Proverbs 22:7, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” It is our choice that the Europeans and the Americans keep wanting or ruling over us. It is for this reason that they find it easy to impose their policies and values on the Africans because of the financial control.

Paying taxes is our obligation as citizens and this needs to be embraced. URA should not be looked at as if it rips Ugandan citizens of resources.

Principles are principles that must be followed. If you invade or avoid returns, you are lying, stealing, and corrupt just as those we accuse of embezzlement. You are actually a murderer because someone somewhere will be dying due to lack of medicine in the hospital which would have been solved by your tax payment.

As civil servants and individuals demand for salary increment, improved service delivery, same efforts need to be directed towards ways of raising and increasing the revenues. It is not only the role of the Government to raise funds but for all of us.

As John Kennedy said, “ask not what your country can do for you...ask what you can do for your country." Just start by paying taxes.