By Ouni Jaspher
KAMPALA: The East African Revenue Authorities Chief Audit Executives (EARACAE) Forum is taking place at Mestil Hotel in Kampala under this year’s theme, “From Dialogue to Action,”
In his remarks the Commissioner General of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) John R. Musinguzi welcomed the delegates coming from the Jumuiya East African Revenue Authorities for the Audit Executives forum.
”It is my pleasure to warmly welcome you to this inaugural meeting of the East African Revenue Authorities Chief Audit Executives Forum. We are honoured to host you, and we value your commitment to strengthening our institutions and advancing the revenue agenda of our region.We are meeting at a defining moment for revenue administration in East Africa. Across our region, governments face increasing pressure to mobilize domestic resources and reduce reliance on debt. Across Sub‑Saharan Africa, tax‑to‑GDP performance averages around 18 per cent”
Musinguzi noted that while their institutions have made notable progress in regional collaboration across customs, domestic taxes, and technology, internal audit has not evolved at the same pace of integration yet Internal audit assures system effectiveness, risk management, and the protection of public resources.
He said the gap is no longer acceptable.”If we are to sustain credible revenue growth and protect the integrity of our systems, internal audit must be repositioned. It can no longer operate primarily as a retrospective assurance function. It must evolve into a forward‑looking, risk‑driven capability that actively safeguards revenue, strengthens governance, and improves institutional performance”
Musinguzi said in Uganda, they are working toward a medium‑term revenue ambition of over UGX 40 trillion, anchored on improved compliance, system efficiency, and institutional integrity. Similar ambitions exist across our revenue authorities.
Herbert Rusoke, the URA Commissioner Internal Audit at the Chief Audit Executives forum notes that they are seeing increased digital transformation, growing cross-border trade, more complex fraud schemes, and rising expectations for transparency saying these changes bring new and evolving risks.
According to him, “to respond effectively, our internal audit functions must go beyond being vigilant they must also be innovative, forward-looking, and well coordinated.”
He explained that within the broader picture, internal audit plays a very important and strategic role. Internal auditors provide independent assurance that governance structures, risk management systems, and internal controls are working effectively.
Rusoke said by identifying gaps, strengthening compliance, and promoting sound practices, internal audit directly supports the credibility, efficiency, and resilience of the institutions.
”Our meeting today builds on a long and proud history of regional cooperation in East Africa. For many years, our countries have recognized that by working together, we can strengthen our institutions, improve trade, mobilize domestic revenue, and support economic growth.
Herbert Rusoke said the initiatives such as the East African Community Customs Union, along with ongoing efforts to harmonize tax and trade systems, have shown them the real value of collaboration adding that gradually, they have made progress as a region.
