The Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner General, John Rujoki Musinguzi, accompanied by his entire Senior Management Team of six Commissioners, has lauded Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s Century Bottling Company Plant in Namanve for exhibiting high operational standards.
While conducting a Plant Tour to inspect the Digital Tax Stamps equipment installed at the Plant, the URA Leadership commended CCBA for the extent of the investment made at the Plant.
“This is an amazing state of the art investment. There is proper accountability of progress -where you started and how you have continuously invested in Uganda, employed more citizens, paid taxes, and even added value to your products,” said the Commissioner General.
On being told that the company was bottling ‘Climb Up’ milk using Ugandan milk and packaging manufactured in Uganda, he lauded the company. He was even more excited to hear about the plans in place for another bottling line for value-add products. The URA team lauded Coca-Cola Beverages Africa for investing consistently in bottling as this ensured the creation and protection of jobs for Ugandans.
“I was extremely happy to see that there is a new line coming up to utilize more of our raw materials and to put more products on the Ugandan market. I want to thank you for the steady investment into the economy. I also want to thank you for the support you have given to URA over the years by contributing significantly to tax revenue collections. We take you as partners, not just as taxpayers,” he said.
“In our new renewed commitment of partnership with our tax payers I want to commit to you that you are a valued partner and we will take time to listen to your concerns, we will take time to consult you before we make any recommendations to change of policy so that the issues you raise are given focus by the policy makers, who we also inform,” he added.
The URA team included Patience Rubugumya, Commissioner Legal Services & Board Affairs; Patrick Mukiibi, Commissioner Domestic Taxes; Herbert Rusoke, Commissioner Internal Audit & Compliance; Abel Kagumire, Ag. Commissioner Customs; James Kiiza, Ag. Commissioner Corporate Services; Mathew Mugabi, Ag. Commissioner Tax Investigations; Stella Oguti, Executive Assistant to Commissioner General; Vincent Seruma, Assistant Commissioner Public & Corporate Affairs; Milly Nalukwago, Assistant Commissioner Research Planning & Development; James Odongo, Assistant Commissioner Process Management; Suzan Kitariko, SICPA Uganda Country Manager; and James Magala, SICPA Manager.
“Coca-Cola is now almost 100% there as our most compliant manufacturer on Digital Tax Stamps. We have been on a long journey, but we have arrived at a good understanding between ourselves and we are certain that the few outstanding issues will be resolved,” said James Odong, Assistant Commissioner Process Management.
The URA Team was also impressed by the COVID-19 safety protocols in place at the Plant and stressed that all manufacturing operations should follow suit.
The URA Team also stated their appreciation to the company for being the official Hydration Sponsors of URA Football Club – providing Rwenzori Pure Natural Mineral Water.
The visitors were conducted on the Tour by Manufacturing Director Edward Ojede, Public Affairs & Communications Director Simon Kaheru, Manufacturing Manager Derrick Mugweri and Manufacturing Engineer Moses Bogere.
“URA is a key stakeholder on many fronts so were happy to host them and explain all the ways in which we could work together. The issues we raised can all be sorted out with the new spirit of partnership that the URA Leadership has pledged. We will continue to be compliant and cooperative taxpayers at all times,” said Simon Kaheru.
“We are always proud to show stakeholders around our Plant even at short notice. The team at the Plants are doing a good job of always maintaining the highest standards in operations. Because we run the best management practices as our daily order of business, we will always be ready to impress our visitors,” said Edward Ojede.