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URA, Judiciary to tackle tax case delays, ex-parte orders
The two government institutions will also focus on streamlining litigation processes and addressing concerns over ex-parte court orders.
Principal Judge, Jane Frances Abodo. (File photo)
By: Michael Odeng, Journalist @New Vision
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The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and the Judiciary have pledged to strengthen collaboration in the management of tax-related disputes, focusing on reducing case backlogs.
The two government institutions will also focus on streamlining litigation processes and addressing concerns over ex-parte court orders. An ex-parte court order is a ruling issued by a judge based on one party’s request, without the other party being present.
The commitment was made today (June 11) during a courtesy visit by a delegation from URA’s Litigation Division, led by Assistant Commissioner Litigation Diana Prida Praff to the Chief Registrar, Agnes Alum, at the Judiciary headquarters in Kampala.
The meeting centred on enhancing cooperation between the two institutions in the handling of tax litigation, case management and the timely resolution of disputes involving the tax body.
Speaking during the engagement, Alum welcomed the URA team and commended the tax body for raising issues affecting the administration of tax justice.
She noted that the increasing issuance of ex-parte orders had emerged as a key concern and stressed that courts should, wherever possible, avoid proceeding without giving all parties an opportunity to be heard.
“The concerns raised will be brought to the attention of the relevant judicial officers," Alum said, adding that matters arising from lower courts would be addressed through administrative channels, while issues relating to the High Court would be referred to the relevant authorities, including the Principal Judge, Jane Frances Abodo, for guidance where necessary.
Alum also acknowledged concerns about tax-related matters being filed in mainstream courts instead of the Tax Appeals Tribunal, noting that the issue would be brought to the attention of judicial officers to encourage adherence to the proper legal processes.
On her part, Praff revealed that URA's Litigation Division currently manages 1,057 cases with a revenue implication exceeding sh1.8 trillion.
Speaking during the engagement, Alum welcomed the URA team and commended the tax body for raising issues affecting the administration of tax justice.
She noted that the increasing issuance of ex-parte orders had emerged as a key concern and stressed that courts should, wherever possible, avoid proceeding without giving all parties an opportunity to be heard.
“The concerns raised will be brought to the attention of the relevant judicial officers," Alum said, adding that matters arising from lower courts would be addressed through administrative channels, while issues relating to the High Court would be referred to the relevant authorities, including the Principal Judge, Jane Frances Abodo, for guidance where necessary.
Alum also acknowledged concerns about tax-related matters being filed in mainstream courts instead of the Tax Appeals Tribunal, noting that the issue would be brought to the attention of judicial officers to encourage adherence to the proper legal processes.
On her part, Praff revealed that URA's Litigation Division currently manages 1,057 cases with a revenue implication exceeding sh1.8 trillion.
She noted that while majority of the cases are handled by the Tax Appeals Tribunal, about 470 matters are pending before mainstream courts, including the Commercial Division, Civil Division, Industrial Court, Court of Appeal/Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court.
Praff highlighted challenges affecting the tax body, including delays in the disposal of tax disputes and persistent case backlogs, which reduces revenue collection.
She also expressed concern over tax matters being filed before mainstream courts despite the Tax Appeals Tribunal being the court of first instance in tax disputes.
Praff observed that ex-parte orders often compel URA to undertake costly verification processes across different court stations and expose the tax body to conflicting court directives and possible contempt proceedings.
Despite the challenges, she commended the Judiciary for its efforts to reduce case backlog through continuous engagement with court divisions, adding that URA had recently recorded progress in the disposal of several long-pending cases.
Praff disclosed that URA has embraced mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to facilitate faster settlement of disputes.
Also present at the meeting was the Private Legal Secretary to the Chief Registrar, Patricia Amoko.
Praff highlighted challenges affecting the tax body, including delays in the disposal of tax disputes and persistent case backlogs, which reduces revenue collection.
She also expressed concern over tax matters being filed before mainstream courts despite the Tax Appeals Tribunal being the court of first instance in tax disputes.
Praff observed that ex-parte orders often compel URA to undertake costly verification processes across different court stations and expose the tax body to conflicting court directives and possible contempt proceedings.
Despite the challenges, she commended the Judiciary for its efforts to reduce case backlog through continuous engagement with court divisions, adding that URA had recently recorded progress in the disposal of several long-pending cases.
Praff disclosed that URA has embraced mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to facilitate faster settlement of disputes.
Also present at the meeting was the Private Legal Secretary to the Chief Registrar, Patricia Amoko.