Kampala, Uganda: The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has defended its decision to relocate several key departments to the newly opened RR Pearl Tower on Yusuf Lule Road in Kampala, insisting the move is aimed at improving operational efficiency and enhancing service delivery to taxpayers.
Responding to public outcry on the tax body’s move to the building, URA’s Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, said the expansion was driven by the tax body’s rapid growth and the increasing complexity of Uganda’s economy, particularly with emerging sectors such as oil and gas.
“We have grown to serve you better and faster. This expansion responds to the growth of companies in sectors like oil and petroleum, which need specialized attention,” Kalumba said in a statement.
He noted that the new premises, owned by businessman Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia’s Ruparelia Group, will host key departments including the Large Taxpayers Office (LTO), Public Sector, Medium Taxpayer Divisions, and other specialized units.
Kalumba revealed that the relocation will be conducted in phases to ensure uninterrupted taxpayer services. “First to move are the Large Taxpayer Offices, the Public Sector, and the Medium Taxpayer Division. Later, the Risk and Strategy Department and the Petroleum Division will follow,” he said.
He emphasized that moving closer to Kampala’s Central Business District (CBD) would make URA’s services more accessible. “Being nearer to our clients means more staff, faster service, and greater attention to detail,” Kalumba explained.
The move comes after URA’s recent recruitment of over 1,000 new employees, primarily in the Customs Department, raising its workforce from 2,000 five years ago to more than 3,000 today. The URA Tower in Nakawa, which currently houses about 1,700 staff, has been facing space constraints for an additional 1,300 employees.
Kalumba also dismissed social media claims that the authority will spend Shs18 billion annually in rent at the new Pearl Tower, calling the reports “false and misleading.” “One of the biggest problems we face is fake news, and this is a prime example,” he said.
He assured that the procurement process was transparent and followed all guidelines of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act. “The contract was awarded to the lowest bidder after a competitive process. Everything was done within the law,” Kalumba emphasized.
Kalumba added that URA’s relocation aligns with its digital transformation and modernization agenda, which aims to improve efficiency, taxpayer engagement, and service delivery across all divisions.
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