Why Katongole resigned as URA Board Chairman
His resignation comes hardly two weeks after Quality Chemicals Industries Limited (QCIL) lost a challenge against a sh6 billion Value Added Tax (VAT) assessment by URA.
Uganda Revenue Authority Board Chairman, Emmanuel Katongole. (File)
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Barely six months after being appointed the Uganda Revenue Authority Board Chairman, Emmanuel Katongole has tendered his resignation to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, effective October 1, 2026, citing a lack of sufficient time “to devote to this important role.”
In his letter to Finance Minister Henry Musasizi dated September 29, 2026, Katongole said serving the authority, “and the people of Uganda in this capacity has been a profound honour. I am sincerely grateful for the confidence you placed in me, and for the excellent cooperation I have enjoyed with fellow Board members and the entire management and staff.”
He cited two reasons for his resignation, which included;
“Our company, Quality Chemicals Industries, has entered a critical expansion phase. The company registered intellectual properties in 34 countries and now actively exports HIV/AIDs, Malaria, hepatitis, and Sickle Cells medicines in 15 countries. As Executive Chairman of the company, I am charged with the strategic responsibility of leading this export drive, which requires me to frequently travel across Africa to develop these markets,” Katongole stated.
Katongole informed the Minister that, “owing to the above responsibilities, I find myself too busy to effectively and efficiently carry out the responsibility of Board Chairman of URA and therefore find it prudent to step down and pave the way for the appointment of a person who will serve and contribute better.”
He wished the authority continued success in its critical mandate of mobilising revenue for national development.
Former Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija appointed Katongole URA Board Chairman on April 1, 2026, succeeding banker Juma Kisaame.
The Tax Appeals Tribunal ruled that the services Cipla provided, used to manufacture zero-rated medicines, were separate imported services subject to VAT. QCIL was also ordered to pay costs associated with the application.
The ruling highlighted the clear distinction between tax relief on finished products and the services used to manufacture them, prompting further protests from QCIL.
It also comes in the wake of internal disagreements with URA and the Board he was chairing over disciplinary disputes at the URA.
Some of the cases included the controversial removal of URA Commissioner for Customs Asadu Kigozi Kisitu, who went missing on September 22, 2026, on the eve of his disciplinary hearing.
Katongole sources at URA said they had also disagreed with URA management over the controversial removal of several top officials without due process and their placement on garden leave, even without being subjected to disciplinary processes.