The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has called for swift action on 58 pending tax appeals valued at a combined Shs 671 billion, warning that delays are adversely impacting the economy.

URA Commissioner General, John Musinguzi Rujoki, emphasized the urgency of resolving these matters during a meeting with judiciary officials on October 20, 2025.

Musinguzi described the backlog as a significant barrier to national development, stressing that prolonged litigation not only undermines public trust in the tax system but also hampers the government’s revenue collection efforts.

“These 58 appeals, which are currently before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, represent a substantial amount Shs 671 billion. We urge the judiciary to fast-track the resolution of these disputes,” Musinguzi said.

The appeals cover a range of tax-related issues, with the URA seeking clarity on complex matters of fact and law.

According to the URA, delays in resolving these disputes create uncertainty in the business environment, potentially deterring investment and damaging the integrity of the tax system.

The appeal cases reflect broader challenges within Uganda’s judiciary, including case-management inefficiencies and resource constraints.

Observers argue that clearing these high-value tax cases would provide much-needed clarity for businesses, potentially boosting compliance rates and fostering a more predictable tax environment.

For the URA, the swift resolution of tax disputes is crucial to fulfilling its mandate of resource mobilization for national development.

The authority’s recent push to improve tax compliance and streamline operations also includes initiatives to prosecute corrupt taxpayers and staff, further reinforcing its commitment to integrity in tax administration.

Although the judiciary has yet to issue a public response to the URA’s request, both sides have expressed a commitment to collaboration.

The URA says it will continue engaging with the courts and other stakeholders to ensure that the pending tax disputes are resolved efficiently and that revenue targets are met.(By Nexus media)