URA AND IGG SIGN MOU ON INFORMATION SHARING

Commissioner General, Doris Akol and the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Justice Irene Mulyagonja yesterday appended signatures onto a memorandum of Understanding (MOU). 

It formalized information sharing between URA and the inspectorate in furtherance of a mutually beneficial quest to improve compliance and integrity of public servants and leaders. 

Citing URA’s digitalized service delivery as an inspiration, the Inspectorate of Government embraced e-services in the process of asset declaration of all government servants and leaders. 

This decision yielded great results as online declaration of assets registered 90.4% compliance, according to the IGG. 

“URA is excellent in financial investigations and, therefore, we will need your assistance in investigating leaders’ assets among others,” said Mulyagonja.

Akol stated, “We shall be reporting cases of suspected tax evasion.”  

URA’s modern science and forensics laboratory would be open to the IGG to aid investigations, Akol announced. 

“Assets and property acquisition must be done through proper channels. Taxes due in property acquisition must be paid,” Akol said.    

The MOU was signed at the inspectorate head office in Kampala. 

Akol urged the public to share information on public officials, who own undeclared properties or properties disguised in other people’s names and agencies. 

The MOU between URA and IGG follows MOU between the inspectorate and other government agencies and departments key in fighting against corruption, illicit trade and misuse of funds. These bodies include the office of the Auditor General, The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority and the Financial Intelligence Authority. 

Formalised inter-agency collaborations of this nature will go a long way in salvaging Uganda from the problem of maladministration and corruption which stifle the growth of Uganda. According to the 2013 UBOS national governance baseline survey, the country loses close to sh166bn annually through bribes paid to public officials.