Politics blamed for poor tax base in Apac
Jun 29, 2011
Political interference is affecting local revenue collection in Apac district, the chief administrative officer, Andrew Leru, has said. He said 99% of the bicycle registration tax, which the council passed in the 2009/2010 financial year, was not collected.
By Patrick Opio
Political interference is affecting local revenue collection in Apac district, the chief administrative officer, Andrew Leru, has said. He said 99% of the bicycle registration tax, which the council passed in the 2009/2010 financial year, was not collected.
Leru made the disclosure while addressing Apac District Actors’ Forum (ADAF) meeting at the Women Development Centre in Apac town recently.
The meeting was organised by Link Forum — Apac, a local NGO and funded by Action Aid Uganda. The meeting was attended by district councillors, heads of department and sub-county officials. The theme of the meeting was: “The challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the 2011 to 2016 manifesto.â€
“How can politicians make a decision to create more local revenue today and then they turn round to de-campaign its collection simply for political gains?†Leru asked.
He added that politicians make several development promises during elections without knowing that their implementation depends partly on revenue sources.
Leru said 99.9% of Apac funds come from the central government. This, he said, leaves other planned development activities not implemented each year because of lack of local revenue.
Leru also revealed that the district was meant to pay sh700m to settle court cases, but only sh400m had been paid.
“Some of the court cases were caused by unlawful political decisions,†Leru said.
Speaking at the same function, Apac LC5 boss Bob Okae urged the district leaders to avoid party differences and embrace unity to promote development.
He also warned leaders against corruption, saying the culprits would face the law.
The coordinator of NGO Link Forum-Apac, Sam Jamara, urged leaders not to interrupt the work of NGOs and community based-organisations.
Political interference is affecting local revenue collection in Apac district, the chief administrative officer, Andrew Leru, has said. He said 99% of the bicycle registration tax, which the council passed in the 2009/2010 financial year, was not collected.
Leru made the disclosure while addressing Apac District Actors’ Forum (ADAF) meeting at the Women Development Centre in Apac town recently.
The meeting was organised by Link Forum — Apac, a local NGO and funded by Action Aid Uganda. The meeting was attended by district councillors, heads of department and sub-county officials. The theme of the meeting was: “The challenges and opportunities in the implementation of the 2011 to 2016 manifesto.â€
“How can politicians make a decision to create more local revenue today and then they turn round to de-campaign its collection simply for political gains?†Leru asked.
He added that politicians make several development promises during elections without knowing that their implementation depends partly on revenue sources.
Leru said 99.9% of Apac funds come from the central government. This, he said, leaves other planned development activities not implemented each year because of lack of local revenue.
Leru also revealed that the district was meant to pay sh700m to settle court cases, but only sh400m had been paid.
“Some of the court cases were caused by unlawful political decisions,†Leru said.
Speaking at the same function, Apac LC5 boss Bob Okae urged the district leaders to avoid party differences and embrace unity to promote development.
He also warned leaders against corruption, saying the culprits would face the law.
The coordinator of NGO Link Forum-Apac, Sam Jamara, urged leaders not to interrupt the work of NGOs and community based-organisations.