Local leaders in the West Nile have tasked the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to review its tax enforcement operations to prevent the loss of lives.
The call follows the death of Moses Atidra, a resident of Pamachi village, Adraa parish, Offaka sub-county Madi Okollo district who succumbed to injuries at Nebbi General Hospital. Atidra was shot by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Officers during an operation to impound numberless motorcycles at Okollo Town Council in Madi Okollo district on Wednesday.
URA enforcement officers reportedly opened fire when residents pelted them with stones in an attempt to block them from impounding the motorcycle. The incident also left Patience Atizuyo, Derick Opari, and Jovan injured.
However, the local leaders have raised concerns over what they call excessive and lethal use of force by URA enforcement teams on unarmed civilians. According to the leaders, there is a need for URA officials to adopt a more humane and professional approach while respecting human rights in their efforts of domestic resource mobilization and fighting illicit financial flows.
Denis Oguzu Lee, the Member of Parliament for Maracha County says the actions of some URA enforcement officials in the region have not only been unlawful and inhumane but also counterproductive to the goal of enhancing domestic resource mobilisation.
“We are appalled by the reports of innocent civilians being shot and killed by URA officers who are supposed to protect the public interest and uphold the rule of law. We also urge URA to review its enforcement strategies and adopt a more humane and professional approach that respects human rights and due process”, Oguzu noted.
Swaib Toko, the Madi Okollo Resident District Commissioner notes that there is an urgent need for URA management to review their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when carrying out domestic resource mobilization operations in the region to ensure public safety.
According to Joanne Aniku Okia, the Woman Member of Parliament for Madi Okollo district, they are exploring all possible means to find a lasting solution to end such scuffles between the URA enforcement team and locals.
Yovan Adriko, the Member of Parliament for Vurra County in Arua district believes besides the review of tax enforcement strategies, there is a need for URA to carry out mass sensitization about the importance of paying taxes.
Abel Kagumire, the Commissioner of Customs at Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) said they have adopted a new strategy that involves Educating and Engaging the taxpayers first before carrying out Enforcement.
This is not the first time for URA operations to have caused loss of life and injury to innocent civilians. On November 14, 2023, a woman was killed and two other people got injured as Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcers were involved in an accident while chasing a suspected errant motorcyclist near Rhema Hospital in Arua City.
In February 2023, Badru Adui, a boda boda cyclist and resident of Gborokolongo village in Abuku sub-county Koboko District, and two others were injured during protests by boda boda cyclists in Koboko Town against Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) operations on smuggled fuel.
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