The Business Community in the Bugisu Subregion accused Uganda Revenue Authority staff in the 5 regions especially at the Mbale area office for persistently soliciting for bribes. The complaints were put to Doris Akol the Commissioner General of URA during the forum with business people in Mbale. “When me, I come who is paying VAT when am quoting something I know this man has to pay revenue but this guy will have to under quote, after under quoting they give him the job plus VAT and the VAT they just eat the money.” “URA officials solicit money from business operators, after several days they still continue and close the businesses. The third problem is that we have URA officials who do not want us to pay taxes.” “I went to the bank they asked for a TIN number. Then I went to URA and I was surprised to be told I needed to go elsewhere. A security personnel took me around the corner compelled me to pay for the TIN number I thought was free.”

Akol however, challenged the business people to provide evidence pinning those soliciting bribes because it was hard to initiate investigations without evidence. “Please, I encourage you, the best way for us to put out corruption is when you report these people. The number has been given to you please use them. We will guarantee your anonymity, we will ensure that your reports are confidential until the point when we need to testify and it pinned on the committee.” Said, Doris Akol – Commissioner General URA. Akol also warned some business operators who give bribes to URA officials with the intention of invading taxes. “You have been phased with the tax bill that you think is a bit high, it is better for you, first of all, to reconcile the figure with us. Some of these figures are a result of penalties and interest out of perhaps of none filing or may be filing was done somewhere else, we reconcile and address to come to the correct figure that you should pay.”