Kagina's job: URA board speaks out

By David Lumu

As the public anxiously waits for Government to announce the person to replace retiring Commissioner General Allen Kagina, the Uganda Revenue Authority board has called for “patience” and more time to select the “right person” for the job.

Speaking to New Vision Monday, URA board chairman Gerald Ssendawula said that the board should be allowed time in the hunt for Kagina’s replacement.

“I urge the public to be fairly patient. We are working and moving on very well. We still have September and October. Allow me time so that I can select the right person as commissioner general. Not everyone can be commissioner general, so we have to do a good job (selection),” he said.

URA internally advertised for the job and applications have been received by the board. It is not clear how many people have applied for the job.

This year Kagina announced that she would be leaving the tax body to do private business.

“URA is going to get a new commissioner general. I am retiring and I am going into the private sector. My contract ends in October and government will get another person to head the organization,” she said.

Kagina who has spent a decade at URA’s top seat also revealed that she had nurtured competent people within the organization to take over her job. He contract ends 31 October. But Ssendawula said that the URA board is yet to choose her replacement.

Ssendawula said that the URA board will select the person who will replace Kagina and forward the name to Maria Kiwanuka, the finance minister for approval.

“The outgoing one was appointed by me in 2004 when I was still the finance minister. Similarly the board will select a person and recommend the name to the minister of finance for approval,” he said.

Asked when the board will conclude the selection, Ssendawula said that: “Certainly we are mindful of time.”

During her ten-year tenure at URA, Kagina exhibited a strict management style characterized with a zealous pursuit of excellence and religion. In fact, she has met seven out of ten annual revenue collection targets.