East Africa revenue chiefs converge in Kampala

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is hosting a two-day meeting of the East African Revenue Authorities Commissioners General (#EARACGMeet).

Day 2 of 43rd #EARACGMeet is underway at the Kampala Serena Hotel. In attendance are officials from the East African Community (EAC) member states.

Addressing participants, the URA Commissioner General, Doris Akol noted that the major goal of the EARACGs’ forum is “to ensure that we attain harmonised, standardised, and integrated tax administration systems among the EAC partner states”.

“These meetings, therefore, provide a platform for exchange of ideas and good practices relating to tax administration and revenue collection in the region,” Akol stated.

Following the host CG’s opening remarks, countries shared status reports regarding revenue collection, innovations, challenges and future plans.

On the line-up today features discussions on the harmonisation of excise duty, automation of customs systems and tax investigations among other pertinent issues.

In attendance is Burundi Commissioner General, Audace Niyonzima, Director of Board Secretarial & Legal Services (Tanzania), Yohane Masara and Rwanda Commissioner Domestic Taxes Department, Aimable Kayigi Habiyambere.

Others are the Director General Customs & Trade EAC, Kenneth Bagamuhunda, Kenya Commissioner Customs & Border Control, Julius Musyioki, International Monetary Fund’s Berlin Msiska and Commissioner Zanzibar Revenue Board, Amour Hamil Bakari. Zanzibar is featuring for the first time at these meetings as an observer.

Following discussions, the Commissioners General will later today address a joint press conference.

EARACG meetings are biannual and rotational among the EAC member countries.

The EARACG discussions were preceded by a meeting, which reviewed regional projects supported by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Participants appreciated JICA’s support and pledged cooperation for the betterment of the region.