Kiryandongo unveils online tax system to ease revenue collection

Kiryandongo District local government on Thursday launched the Integrated Revenue Administration System-IRAS which will help in improving the local revenue performance.

The IRAS is an online revenue collection system on which the taxpayer is registered, assessed and pays directly to URA through the bank or mobile money.

In his address at the system launch, Kiryandongo CAO, Mr Martin Jacan Gwokto informed the congregation that Local revenue performance is an assessment area where the district has been doing poorly.

With IRAS, Gwokto has hope for a great improvement in revenue collection and budget performance for the current and future financial years.

Ms Edith Aliguma Adyeri the District chairperson welcomed the system which she said has been long overdue. She added that through the various engagements she has had on IRAS, she believes the district will be in a position to meet the revenue targets and fund the priorities.

Ms Aliguma noted that the current revenue collection in the district has been porous characterised by low revenue reporting.

Jonathan Akweteireho, the Deputy RDC urged the parish chiefs and the revenue officers to positively embrace the new system which will save them from the temptations of spending government money on the source.

He added that the government’s strategic goal is to have an integrated electronic database and system for all Ugandans and government programs.

Akweteireho also committed together with other district leaders to sensitize the taxpayers on the new development so that they appreciate it and comply.

In the currently approved budget estimates, Kiryandongo District projects to collect 1.5 billion shillings from various revenue sources.

The launch of IRAS in Kiryandongo has been supported by the Local Government Finance Commission which is mandated to over the revenue and budget performance of districts, cities and municipalities.