SEATINI Uganda and Oxfam in Uganda Join Gulu City Council to Launch the Local Revenue Enhancement Plan

SEATINI Uganda in partnership with Oxfam in Uganda and the Gulu City Authorities launched the Gulu City Council Local Revenue Enhancement Plan (LREP), a tool aimed at guiding local revenue collection and mobilization for the city for the next five years (2021/2022 – 2025/2026). The official launch of the LREP that was held at Bomah Hotel, Gulu District brought together Gulu City Council Officials, representatives of Civil Society Organizations and the media.
The newly launched LREP encompasses annual reviews meant to identify constraints/challenges encountered, lessons and best possible practices to effect the program.

With support from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including Oxfam in Uganda and SEATINI Uganda and in collaboration with Advocacy for Research in Development (ARiD), the LREP was jointly developed and reviewed with the Gulu City Technical Planning Committee (TPC), adopted by the City Executive Committee (CEC) and was finally adopted by the City Council.

In his remarks, Mr. Okwonga Alfred the Gulu City Council Mayor noted that the LREP was developed through a highly consultative process to transform how the authority generates local revenue, funds development and continues to grow the City in a responsible way. He added that the City is on the right path to becoming a model City in Uganda.

‘‘Following the community and policy dialogues held in Gulu City, it was discovered that there was need for the CSOs to support political leaders, technocrats and the new City administration to develop a LREP to enable the City Authorities responsibly and ably collect taxes from the community to fund their mandate to extend public services for the betterment of the City residents and public at large.
The development of the Gulu City Council Local Revenue Enhancement Plan (LREP) is part of a project titled: “Enhancing Equitable Subnational Revenue Mobilization in Gulu and Soroti Cities’’ which is being implemented by SEATINI and Oxfam in Uganda, in collaboration with Advocacy for Research in Development (ARiD),’’Ms. Regina Navuga, Program Coordinator, Financing for Development – SEATINI Uganda said.

During her remarks, Ms. Jane Nalunga, the Executive Director, SEATINI Uganda congratulated Gulu City for reaching this milestone. She also emphasized the need for monitoring and ensuring that the revenue targets set within the plan are achieved at the end of the 5 years.
Mr. Odokorach S. Francis, the Country Director at Oxfam in Uganda emphasized that Oxfam is deliberate about reducing extreme inequalities among the population.

‘‘We partnered with SEATINI Uganda and the Gulu City Authorities to develop the LREP which will transform local revenue collection for improved service delivery,’’ Mr. Odokorach said.

‘‘To successfully implement the Local Revenue Enhancement Plan, we will digitalize revenue collection to reduce on revenue leakages,’’ Mr. Oyoo Geoffrey, the Senior Finance Officer, Gulu City said.

While making closing remarks, Deputy Mayor-Gulu City committed that the City will make use of the Local Revenue Enhancement Plan to ensure increased mobilization of revenue and improved service delivery in Gulu City.