URA recognises large tax payers, Airtel tops list

Airtel Uganda emerged winner of the excel award by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and was labelled Uganda’s Largest Tax Payer recognised for its compliance in remitting taxes.
Airtel was among the 19 companies that were awarded by URA. Others included Centenary Bank, Huawei Technologies and Uber Technologies. The companies were recognised for their compliance and drive in growing Uganda’s economy.

Handing over the awards during the URA 14th Taxpayers Appreciation Awards 2019 held in Kampala recently, Finance Minister Matia Kasaijja, thanked Airtel, among other companies for their contribution to Uganda’s growth trajectory, noting that government can only build on the support of the private sector to move the country forward.

The telecom paid Shs136b in the 2018/19 winning the Excel Award.
“Airtel has contributed [more than] Shs136b in the financial year 2018-19, making it the biggest contributor of income tax in the last financial year,” a statement from Uganda Revenue Authority read in part.
Mr V G Somasekhar, the Airtel managing director, thanked URA for recognising their contribution to the country’s gross domestic product.

This, he said, was an honour that has been achieved through the continuous support from customers and partners who, for years, had made the choice to be on the Airtel network.
“We remain committed and compliance is an integral aspect of that commitment,” he said.
The development comes after Airtel Uganda, revealed earlier this year that it would start paying corporation tax after shaking off a series of losses accumulated from acquired assets from Zain and Celtel.