Tax Appeals Tribunal to Sensitise Kampala Traders on Tax Disputes

What the report says

The Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT) is set to begin a three-day sensitisation campaign for Kampala traders on how to handle tax disputes with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). According to Nile Post, the outreach is being organised with the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) and will run from October 19 to 21 at Royal Complex Building Hotel on Nakasero Market Street.

The campaign is aimed at traders who face difficulties resolving tax-related complaints. TAT chairperson Crystal Kabajwara said the effort is meant to explain the tribunal’s role, which she distinguished from URA’s tax assessment and collection functions. She said many taxpayers confuse those responsibilities, and the outreach will focus on dispute-handling procedures rather than general tax obligations.

The tribunal wants to encourage alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, as a faster and less costly way to settle disagreements without long court processes. The report says the initiative is also intended to help businesses understand their rights, obligations and the importance of keeping proper records such as invoices, receipts and contracts when disputes arise.

Nile Post reported that the campaign is supported by the International Development Law Organization and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the Access to Justice for Sustainable Development programme. Beyond the immediate outreach, the tribunal says the effort could help reduce its dispute backlog and give traders clearer channels for challenging tax decisions while preserving working relationships with URA.