The Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), John Musinguzi, called on African tax officials to adopt science and technology in tackling tax evasion. He highlighted that using data-driven, evidence-based strategies would not only improve domestic revenue collection but also help African nations achieve financial independence, reducing their dependency on foreign aid.
Musinguzi shared his remarks at a dinner held at Serena Hotel in Kampala, following a five-day technical training workshop hosted by URA, in partnership with the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF). The workshop brought together tax experts from 24 African countries under the theme: "Leveraging Scientific Approaches to Combat Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs)."
He thanked ATAF and the German Cooperation (GIZ) for their support in building local capacity and providing resources to strengthen tax administration across Africa.
Musinguzi urged delegates to apply the scientific methods they had learned during the training and encourage their governments to invest in modern forensic tools. "As revenue authorities, we have a unique opportunity to shape Africa’s economic future. Don’t let the knowledge gained here go to waste. Engage your Commissioner Generals and Finance Ministries to prioritise these critical technologies," he said.
He also stressed the importance of cross-border collaboration in tax administration, saying it is vital for Africa’s economic prosperity. "We must work together, or risk being left behind in global development. Africa’s resources, youthful population, and shared vision have the potential to drive the next cycle of economic growth," he added.
Denis Kugonza, Commissioner of the Tax Investigations Department (TID), spoke on the importance of continued tax education to improve public understanding of tax obligations. "Raising awareness on how taxes directly contribute to national growth will reduce resistance and improve compliance," he noted.
Caroline Mutabayarwa, Head of the Tax Academy at ATAF in Pretoria, South Africa, praised URA’s efforts in adopting science-driven solutions to combat tax fraud. She described the workshop as a turning point for Africa and urged tax authorities to fully integrate forensic science into revenue administration.
"This training has deepened our understanding of illicit financial flows and their economic impact. Scientific approaches offer practical solutions, and we must sustain this momentum," she said. Mutabayarwa ended her speech with an energising call to action: "The message has been clear and exciting, we must not let this fire die!"
