By Spy Uganda
Kampala-The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has brushed off critics questioning its decision to rent additional office space at the new RR Pearl Tower along Yusuf Lule Road, insisting the expansion is a strategic step to enhance accessibility and efficiency in tax administration.
The modern complex—owned by business magnate Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia—now hosts several of URA’s key operational departments, part of a calculated decentralization intended to streamline taxpayer engagement within the capital’s business core.
According to URA’s Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, the relocation is not about luxury but necessity. He revealed that the tax body’s staffing has grown by over 1,000 employees within a year, bringing the total to more than 3,000. The rapid expansion, he said, was driven largely by new demands in customs, oil and gas, and digital tax compliance—areas that require specialized expertise and closer client interface.
“Our headquarters in Nakawa had reached saturation,” Kalumba said. “The additional space at Pearl Tower offers breathing room for collaboration and faster service delivery. More importantly, it positions our teams within reach of the country’s biggest taxpayers, most of whom operate around the Central Business District.”
The phased relocation began with the Large Taxpayers Office, the Public Sector Division, and the Medium Taxpayers Division, followed by strategic units such as the Risk and Strategy Department and the Petroleum Division. By situating these departments in proximity to major clients, URA hopes to reduce turnaround time, tighten oversight, and increase voluntary compliance.
Kalumba dismissed speculation circulating on social media alleging extravagant expenditure and inflated rental costs amounting to Shs 18 billion annually. “That’s a complete fabrication,” he asserted. “Our procurement was fully compliant with the PPDA framework—transparent, competitive, and guided by value for money. What we’re doing is responsible growth, not reckless spending.”
Fiscal experts have also backed URA’s move, noting that the shift aligns with Uganda’s economic trajectory. Dr. Evelyn Nakato, a taxation and fiscal policy analyst at Makerere University, observed that the new setup reflects foresight rather than opulence. “With oil revenues approaching and the economy adjusting post-COVID, URA’s agility will be pivotal. Having specialized teams operating closer to corporate taxpayers could translate into billions in additional collections annually,” she noted.
Beyond optics, the Pearl Tower expansion is emblematic of a broader reform agenda within URA—an institution striving to modernize its operations and enhance taxpayer experience. As Uganda prepares for a resource-driven economic leap, the taxman’s physical repositioning symbolizes readiness for a more complex fiscal environment.
“People often misunderstand change,” Kalumba concluded. “We are not just renting space—we are reimagining how tax administration should work in a dynamic economy. Our goal is simple: bring services closer to the people and make compliance easier, faster, and more transparent.”
