SEATINI and OXFAM Hold Refresher Training for theTax Justice Campaigners in Arua District
Under the Power of Voices Project, SEATINI Uganda in partnership with OXFAM Uganda held a refresher training for the Trainers of Trainees (ToTs) also known as Tax Justice Campaigners on Tax Justice. This training took place on 17th March 2022 in Arua City. The training brought together 18 Campaigners in total representing 10 female and 8 males selected from different areas in West Nile region of Uganda.
The project is focused on advocating for incl and equitable tax policies that contribute to improving the livelihoods of people, especially the marginalized, these include; women, youth, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Earlier in October 2021, SEATINI Uganda and Oxfam conducted a similar training of trainers from Nebbi and Zombo. However, from the interaction with their coordinators in the two districts, it was established that these Tax Justice Campaigners could no longer comprehend the issues in which they were trained and are therefore not able to commence the civic awareness sessions in the community. It was also evident that some of the tax issues within the operating environment have since changed. Therefore, prompting the retooling of these campaigners.
The training focused around enhancing the campaigners’ understanding of Taxation in the Local Government context.
Mr Aloysious Kittengo, Program Officer under the Financing For Development program at SEATINI Uganda elaborated extensively the provisions of the Ugandan Law on Tax for example in Article 17 which spells out the duties of a citizen which require for every citizen to; firstly contribute to the development of the country and also to pay taxes.
During the refresher training, the campaigners were also guided on how to develop work plans for community engagement.
To reduce inequality in their communities, these Tax Justice Campaigners conduct community awareness and encourage citizen engagement in revenue mobilization and accountability processes within their local communities.
