The system replaces the physical or manual revenue collection method, which has always been marred by numerous challenges leading to poor revenue collection.
Kitgum
Municipal Council has adopted the use of a new electronically automated system
for the collection of local revenue. The Integrated Revenue Administration System
(IRAS) is an initiative is aimed at having an integrated single revenue
collection system that suits tax management needs in all local governments.
The Kitgum
Municipality Acting Town Clerk Harriet Atim Okot says the system was introduced
to replace the physical or manual revenue collection method, which has always been
marred by numerous challenges leading to poor revenue collection. According to
Okot, it’s anticipated that the automated system will largely contribute
towards improved revenue collection, transparency, accountability, and
efficiency in service delivery to the taxpayers.
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Maureen
Nakibuuka of WEA Constancy Firm, a company contracted to activate the system
and orient municipal and division staff, says the system is designed and
customized to suit all specific revenue collection needs including auto tax
computation, improved compliance supported by instant SMS alerts and constant
reminders to the taxpayers.
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The Kitgum
Municipality Mayor Richard Okwera Ojara says the modern automated revenue
management system will help the council in mitigating the challenges being
faced by the current manual system, including revenue leakages, at source
spending, and lack accurate data among others.
The technology according to
Ojara, will also enhance revenue collection which will help local government
improve on revenue performance to meet the increasing level of demand for service
delivery by the citizens.
Ojara says
the municipal council majorly depends on finances from the central government
as conditional grants with limited flexibility to cater to specific needs of
the local community.
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administrative systems”//
The news
about the new automated technology has been welcomed by the business community
in Kitgum Municipality who say it will limit time wastages and the rampant
incidences of loss of local revenue by untrustworthy municipal staff.
Richard
Okello, a business proprietor in Pandwong Division says the technology will
simplify the hurdles always met while meeting their tax obligations since they
will make their payments at the comfort of their homes, businesses, and
workplaces.
“We shall
not be laboring to go to the divisions and the municipal headquarters or even
to the bank to make payments ranging from trading licenses, service tax to
property rates and others”, says Okello.
The system
was developed with support from the World Bank through PPIAF Trust Fund and has
been piloted and is now operational in Fort Portal and Gulu City and 30
municipalities being supported under USMID AF in Uganda.
Currently,
the technical staff of Kitgum Municipality are undergoing induction on how the
IRAS works before carrying out massive mobilization and sensitization of all
the business community about the use of the system.
