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Domestic revenue target rises to Shs29.8 trillion

A customer applies for a Tax Identification Number at Uganda Revenue Authority offices.  PHOTO | file 

What you need to know:

  • Out of the projected raise in domestic revenue collection, tax revenue and Non-Tax Revenue are projected at Shs27.774 trillion and Shs2.009 trillion, respectively.

Government has raised the domestic revenue for the next financial year 2023/24 to Shs29.784 trillion to meet the ever-increasing public expenditure needs in the economy.  

The Ministry of Finance explains that out of the projected raise in domestic revenue collection, tax revenue and Non-Tax Revenue are projected at Shs27.774 trillion and Shs2.009 trillion, respectively.

This translates into nominal growth in revenue of Shs4.233 trillion (equivalent to 16.6%) up from Shs25.550.69 trillion projected revenue for FY 2022/2023. This reflects a growth in revenue efforts of 0.5 percent from a projected 14.1 percent of GDP in FY 2022/2023 to the target of 14.6 percent in FY 2023/2024.

Presenting the Financial Year 2023/24 Budget Strategy in the National Budget Conference at Kololo ceremonial grounds yesterday, the Finance Minister Matia Kasaija said: “During next financial year 2023/24, government intends to meet the target of raising domestic revenues by 0.5 percent of GDP in line with the NDPIII annual revenue enhancement target and the Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Strategy (DRMS).”

Budget Strategy
Mr Kasaija explained that this Budget Strategy aims at addressing the socio-economic challenges impacting on the livelihoods of Ugandans through monetising the economy, largely driven by the Parish Development Model.

In line with the programme, each Ministry, Department and Agency is expected to pursue its priorities under the Third National Development Plan, which in turn will lead to the realisation of Uganda’s socio- economic transformation agenda.

He said while substantial progress has been achieved, more is expected in the next fiscal year as detailed in the four key areas identified. As such, prioritisation of resources will be required throughout the process to investments of high value and returns.

The resource envelope for FY 2023/2024 will not have any significant changes from that of this FY2022/2023, adding that the preliminary resource envelope for next financial year will be issued in the First budget call circular for FY 2023/2024.

Mr Kasaija said the Public Debt Management for next financial year 2023/24 will continue to be guided by the principles set out in the Public Debt Management Framework 2018, the National Development Plan, and Uganda Vision 2040.

“Focus will be on utilising grants (where available) and concessional financing to implement projects within priority areas of government. Going forward, gradual fiscal consolidation will lead to a decline in public debt below 50 percent of GDP in nominal terms,” he said.

“Priority shall be accorded to contracting debt on concessional terms to lower interest payments; and obtaining debt service rescheduling through a Debt Service Suspension Initiative which would offer additional fiscal space.”

Oil       
Mr Kasaija said priority will be placed on investment in the oil and gas sector infrastructure to get oil resources to boost the economy. This investment includes but is not limited to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, oil roads, industrial parks among others. These investments need to be financed partly through borrowing in FY 2022/23,’’ he said.