European Takes URA Top Position

By Felix Osike A European expatriate Ms. Annebrit Aslund Ericson, has been appointed the new Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) after she emerged the best out of the five candidates. She has been working with Price WaterHouseCoopers, a Kampala auditing firm. The other shortlisted candidates were Justin Zaake, the deputy Commissioner General (Revenue), Feddy Mwerinde Commissioner Internal Revenue, Henry Wade, an American and Vateec Ihno said to be an Asian. "The Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Gerald Sendaula, has accordingly appointed Ms. Annebrit Maria Aslund-Ericson, the next Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority. The appointment takes immediate effect," a statement signed by the board chairman, Dr. Eric Adriko, said. He said the board conducted the interviews for the post and made recommendations to the minister in accordance with the URA statute. URA has been operating without a substantive Commissioner General since September 22 last year when Elly Rwakakooko's three-year contract ended. Steven Akabway has been the acting CG. Ericson becomes the third Commissioner General since URA was established in 1991. The URA Public Relations Officer, Odrek Rabwoogo, said, "We expect increased revenue collection and continuation of reforms URA has been implementing in the last four years." He said the two commissioners who did not qualify will continue with their work. However, he said some changes in the authority were expected soon. Ends