UPDF, URA Strengthen Strategic Partnership Through Transformational Leadership Course

The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), in partnership with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), has passed out 174 officials who completed the Transformational Leadership Course, Intake 10/2026, at the Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership and Pan-African Centre of Excellence in Kaweweta, Nakaseke District.

The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, who officiated at the ceremony, challenged them to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, combat tax leakages and uphold integrity as Uganda seeks to reduce dependence on borrowing.

Hon. Musasizi observed that domestic revenue had increased from approximately Shs16 trillion in the 2019/20 financial year to Shs36 trillion in 2025/26. He added that the Government aims to raise domestic revenue from about 14 per cent to 20 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) within five years.

“Our economy has the capacity to raise more. If we fix the bottlenecks, we can raise the 20% and 25% in the long term,” he said.

The Minister urged URA to broaden the tax base instead of placing additional pressure on compliant taxpayers, while balancing enforcement with support for legitimate businesses.

He urged the tax body to utilise data and technology to identify tax non-compliance and ensure that taxpayers are treated fairly and professionally.

“We want a URA way which ensures that every taxpayer in this country pays his due taxes,” Musasizi said.

Hon. Musasizi cautioned the officers against corruption, emphasising that integrity is essential to maintaining public confidence in URA.

“You don’t have to steal in order to be successful in life. Behind every shilling you mobilise is a Ugandan child who needs a school, a patient who needs healthcare, a farmer who needs a market and a country that increasingly wants to finance its development agenda from its own resources,” he said.

Hon. Musasizi further pledged to follow up on the presidential commitment of Shs4 billion and seek improvements to roads within and around the training school.

Maj Gen Masiko Highlights Revenue Mobilisation as a National Security Priority

Representing the Chief of Defence Forces, the Joint Staff Political Commissariat, Major General Henry Masiko urged the officers to reject laziness, corruption and self-interest, and challenged them to internalise Government’s ‘Term No More Sleep campaign.’

“The declaration of the government of no more sleep, no more corruption, no more laziness or sitting on the fence, and no more politeness on the side of the supervisors, must be internalised by all,” he said.

He said effective mobilisation and protection of domestic revenue strengthens the capacity of the security forces by ensuring adequate budgetary support.

“Successful revenue mobilisation and protection is a force multiplier for UPDF because this way we are guaranteed of adequate budget support to enhance force capacity and capability,” he said.

Maj Gen Masiko reaffirmed the UPDF’s partnership with URA and commended its leadership for embracing ideological and mentorship training.

URA Sets Eyes on Shs46.6 Trillion Revenue Target

The URA Commissioner General, Mr John Musinguzi, commended the UPDF and the Oliver Reginald Tambo School for supporting the authority’s training and operational activities, particularly efforts to combat smuggling along Uganda’s borders and waterways.

Mr. Musinguzi pledged to deliver the Government’s Shs46.6 trillion domestic revenue target for the 2026/27 financial year, noting that the newly trained officials would contribute to achieving the target.

He reaffirmed URA’s commitment to combating corruption and indiscipline within the authority, urging the graduates to apply the knowledge and values acquired during the course.

“We shall not sleep, and we shall not be corrupt, and we are sure we will give you the desired results. Everything that you have learned here, you should not leave it behind. Carry it with you because we need it,” he said.

Brig Gen Justus Rukundo Tips URA Officers on Integrity

The Commandant of the Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership and Pan-African Centre of Excellence, Brig Gen Justus Rukundo, said the training was designed to equip the officials with leadership skills, patriotism, discipline and knowledge to support Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

“This Transformational Leadership course was just a small dose, an introductory ideological dose, in your leadership career,” Brig Gen Rukundo said as he encouraged them to pursue continuous learning.

He commended URA for choosing to train its officials at the institution and recognised the continued support provided by the UPDF and the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs to the school.

Brig Gen Rukundo urged the graduates to maintain integrity, discipline and commitment to duty, while cautioning them against corruption, sectarianism and excessive materialism.

“Guard against subversive tendencies, especially corruption. Guard against sectarianism, guard against love of soft life. Always endeavour to be part of the solution and not the problem,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials and representatives from the UPDF, URA, the Basic Military Training School, Kaweweta, the Fort Samora Special Force Command Training Academy, the URA Tax Academy and the URA Staff Academy, among other institutions.