Uganda Revenue Authority To Auction More than 200 Uganda Cars Over Taxes

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has put up a list of over 200 vehicles that are to be auctioned later this Friday to raise an estimated sh500m.

The tax body has increased enforcement mechanisms with a view of growing revenue collections, recently confiscating a Mitsubishi Pajero belonging to Roland Tugume, Member of Parliament for Rukungiri.

"We are ready to prosecute him in court just like any other member of the public should he fail to show us the necessary paperwork," said Moses Kajubi, the URA commissioner for domestic taxes.

"The general public should make sure to check and ensure that the car they intend to buy has authentic paperwork before purchasing since the occurrence of cars with forged paperwork has increased on the market," he added.

Sarah Banage, the URA assistant commissioner for corporate affairs said that the upcoming auction of impounded vehicles is expected to bring in collections of sh500m.

The laws of Uganda give the URA the right to auction off goods that are not claimed from the tax body's bonded warehouses within 30 days or on which taxes have not been paid within a month.

Arorwa Daniel, the URA manager for enforcement said there are over 200 vehicles in their custody, some of which are due for the Friday auction.

By Samuel Sanya
The New Vision Newspaper
26 April 2012