The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has announced its plans to implement the use of body cameras. Moses Kaggwa, the Director for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Finance, emphasized that this technological advancement will greatly enhance transparency and accountability within the organization.
By equipping URA officers with body cameras, the authority seeks to establish a comprehensive system for tracking their activities, ensuring adherence to proper protocols and deterring any misconduct.
The forthcoming financial year (2023–24) carries a substantial target for URA, as they aim to generate revenues amounting to Shs29.7 trillion, a significant portion of the Shs52.7 trillion national budget.
To facilitate this initiative, the URA has commenced the process of inviting proposals from qualified suppliers who can provide reliable body-worn cameras. These devices will be compact video cameras placed on the chest or shoulder lapel of the tax collectors, allowing them to capture and document transactions taking place in the field. The adoption of this technology serves as a proactive measure to counteract potential compromising situations involving URA officers.
In addition to the uniform, the forward-facing camera can also be affixed to hats or eyeglasses, offering flexibility and convenience to the tax collectors during their duties. Through the utilization of body cameras, the URA aims to instill a culture of integrity and ensure the efficient execution of their responsibilities in the pursuit of a corruption-free environment.