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Lira, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Lira district has recorded a reduction in local revenue collected which has affected activities.
In the past three financial years, the district has collected less than what it projected. For instance, in 2019/2020, the district collected 245 Million Shillings out of the estimated 393 Million Shillings.
In 2020/2021, the district had planned to collect 564 Million Shillings but they managed to collect around 160 Million while in this financial year, the district had projected to collect over 679 Million shillings, but it hasn’t realized half of it.
Patrick Ogwal Inyema, the Secretary of Finance, and Administration attributed the reduction to the negative attitude of taxpayers
Inyema says that efforts are underway to ensure that revenue collection is enhanced through sensitization and validation of taxpayers among others.
Richard Cox Okello, the LCV chairperson attributed low collections of local revenue to the reduction of revenue sources. He says that some areas that had sources of revenue were annexed to the city.
Currently, the district’s major sources of revenue are the auction markets such as Ayami and Amach, registration of birth and death certificates.
Okello says the reduction has affected the operation of the district, especially on activities that are funded using local revenue.
Isaac Ojok, the Agweng sub-county councilor says that the council’s operations have been hit hard because the councilors are not receiving their emoluments.
Bonny Okello a councilor from Ayami sub-county says lack of revenue has affected council efforts to monitor government projects.
The district is hopeful that with the introduction of the Integrated Revenue Administration System (IRAS), the amount of revenue collected will improve.
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