Erastus Kibirango the LC 5 Chairperson of Luwero district says that they expected NFA officials to ensure that the truck drivers comply with regulations to pay for licenses and permits from the district but not to harass those that comply.
The government allocated local revenue worth 491 Million Shillings to Gulu City Council for the financial year 2021/2022 but using the IRAS, Gulu City collected up to 1.8 Billion Shillings from last year to date.
In the financial year 2021/2022, the government allocated Gulu City a local revenue budget of 491 Million Shillings, of which 50 percent was to be shared between Pece –Laroo, and Bardege –Layibi Divisions.
Nakasongola District collected 539 million Shillings during the Financial Year 2019/2020 and close to 800 million Shillings by March 2021, far below the estimated collection of 1.3 billion Shillings. The district targets to increase its revenue to one billion Shillings in the financial year 2021/2022.
Betty Namukwaya the Secretary for Finance, Planning and Administration says the district resolved to lower its revenue expectations after failing to meet targets in past years over restrictions on key sources of revenue and elevation of trading centers to town councils.
Kassim Osman Ramathan the LC 3 Chairperson of Bombo town council says that following the easing of lockdown on majority of local sectors, they have resumed mobilization of funds from local revenue and well-wishers to complete the market.
Last month, Gilbert Oloya, the Assistant Town Clerk of the Division wrote a letter to the vendors directing them to vacate the land for a handover to take place on 3rd July.
Each certificate will cost USD 300 at registration and USD 150 upon renewal every year, for internal investors, while certificates to Ugandan nationals will cost 300,000 Shillings for registration and 200,000 Shillings for renewal every year.
Musooke says when they tried to collect revenue, some of their agents were beaten and others dragged to the Tourism Police for allegedly collecting money from tourists under false pretense.
Butambala district projected to collect 132 million Shillings through locally generated revenue last financial year. However, according to the budget framework paper for financial year 2018/2019, the district was only able to collect 29 million Shillings.
Kigula explains that an investigation conducted by committee set up by district executive revealed that some sub county chiefs were issuing forged receipts and pocket the local revenue.
The boundary dispute has left residents confused on which administrative unit they should pay the local revenue such as trade licenses, building plan fees and property tax.
The trucks pick the stones from quarries belonging to Bangcheng Investments Limited and African Asia Company Limited among other individuals. Zirobwe Sub County has been charging each truck Shillings 10,000 as loading fees. The sub county had expected to collect Shillings 45 million in tax this financial year.
The review of the rates will bridge the local revenue collection gap which was as a result of creating new local administrative units, including municipalities and town councils in 2015.
Cossy Nakabazzi, the Buwama Sub County deputy speaker, says that several certificates have been issued, but Nakandi has refused to account for the funds
Emmanuel Byekwatso, the Chief Finance Officer Kyengera Town Council, says they are aware of the vendors concerns and are looking forward to finding a lasting solution to roadside vendors.
The five suspects who include three men and two women have been masquerading as district revenue collectors and intimidating traders that they would close their businesses if they default.
Swaliki Wasswa Masokoyi, the Wakiso Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, confirms the levy, saying it was introduced by the district council as part of its mandate to look for source of local revenue.
Despite the outcry, Entebbe municipal council authorities led by the Mayor Vincent Kayanja De-Paul want the government to speed up the process in order to boost Entebbes strategic position in the wake of an imminent exit by the United Nations.
According to the mid financial year assessment report on local revenue collection carried out by the Local Government Ministry, Ntoroko district has so far collected Shillings 480 million of the estimated Shillings 530 million while Bundibugyo district has collected Shillings 500 million of the estimated Shillings 650 million.
