The workings of State House Revenue Intelligence Unit

KAMPALA, UGANDA | THE INDEPENDENT | The State House Revenue Intelligence and Strategic Operations Unit is intensifying its operations creating avenues through which to collaborate with the general public.

While announcing the new move, President Yoweri Museveni said the Unit created at the beginning of this financial year had an oversight mandate over the Uganda Revenue Authority and was aimed at plugging the revenue leakage gaps.

Sections of the public have since expressed fears that it was a way of interfering with the operations of URA.

The head of the Unit, David Kalemera, however, says the unit is there to work with URA to enhance professionalism, integrity and efficiency in tax administration.

He urges the public to use the different channels that have been created, including telephone numbers 032 6334000 and 032 6334001 and by email at operations@risounit.com, to report any suspicious or illegal tax-related incident.

The Unit’s mission “To use the power of information to enhance Government revenue mobilization and collection,” tells how vital information is to its work of combatting tax evasion and corruption within the tax administration system.

“Our dedicated team is committed to safeguarding national resources and ensuring that every revenue stream is accounted for and optimized for the benefit of our country and its citizens,” says a commitment statement on their website.

“We strive to uphold the highest standards of accountability and innovation in all our endeavors of supporting Government in minimizing revenue leakages.”

The unit says they want all at URA to uphold the highest ethical standards in the execution of duty and only engage in actions that are appropriate, legal, and in line with the mission and values of the Uganda Revenue Authority.

“If you ever find yourself in a situation where you are asked to do something that you believe is wrong or inappropriate, even if the request comes from a superior, please remember that you have the right and the responsibility to refuse,” says the unit to URA staff.

Over the last few weeks, operatives from the unit have jointly carried out operations against suspected smugglers and impounded goods.

The unit is, however, already facing the issue of fraudulent persons (impersonators) Claiming to be Statehouse Revenue Intelligence and Strategic Operations Unit Informers.

“It has come to our attention that certain individuals are falsely claiming to be our informers, attempting to solicit bribes from the public,” Kalemera says, disclaiming any relationship with so-called informers.

“Want to make it clear that these individuals are NOT affiliated with us in any capacity. Statehouse Revenue Intelligence and Strategic Operations Unit has established and secure channels through which we obtain information,” he says, adding that their officials and informers do not demand for money or any form of payment from the public.

Taxpayers are also urged to avoid encouraging corruption in URA and warned against giving money meant for taxes to clearing agents or third-party intermediaries for payment on their behalf.

Currently, the Unit we is Investigating information that there has been an IT related fraud where the URA asycuda payment system was manipulated by some individuals to reflect tax payments that were actually never made.

It is suspected that a lot of government revenue has been lost due to this system’s exploitation.

Some taxpayers who have fallen prey to this fraud are “at significant risk” of facing criminal charges, double payments, fines and penalties, according to the investigating officials.

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