Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, addresses the media during a press conference at Hotel Africana in Kampala, emphasizing the importance of tax education and revenue mobilization in Uganda’s economic growth
KAMPALA – The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, has called upon the media to support the government in monitoring expenditures in local governments, ministries, departments, agencies, parliament, judiciary, and missions abroad.
He also urged the media to report accurately to help the government respond appropriately to instances of wastage or corruption.
Mr. Ggoobi emphasized the importance of the media in educating Ugandans about the significance of paying taxes. He announced that the Ministry of Finance and the Uganda Revenue Authority will launch a tax education program to mobilize enough revenue to run the government and ensure the economy works for all Ugandans.
He clarified that Uganda has one of the lowest tax burdens in the region, contrary to popular belief.
The Permanent Secretary made these remarks during a meeting with the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association at Hotel Africana in Kampala, as part of the national budget month activities for FY 2024/25.
He commended the media for their role in disseminating information about government programs, including the budget, and stressed the need for accurate reporting from reliable sources.
Mr. Ggoobi highlighted the seven priorities of the budget, including investing in human capital, infrastructure development, wealth creation, peace and security, and containing natural disasters. He encouraged all Ugandans to engage in wealth-creating activities.
As part of the government’s accountability, he reported progress in increasing electricity generation, paved road networks, and internet penetration across the country.
The installed capacity of electricity generation has increased from 595 MW in FY 2010/11 to over 2000MW in FY 2023/24.
The share of paved national road network has nearly doubled from 3,121km in FY 2012/13 to 6,133km in FY 2022/23. The national backbone infrastructure has expanded from 1,380km in FY 2010/11 to 4,300km in FY 2022/23, increasing internet penetration across the country.
