Story by Aggrey Twesigye
Mbarara District is struggling to meet its local revenue targets as parish chiefs face difficulties adapting to the newly introduced Integrated Revenue Administration System (IRAS).
IRAS, an online and mobile platform designed to streamline revenue collection, was introduced to replace the previous Human Capital Management system.
However, many civil servants lack the necessary expertise to operate it effectively, leading to delays in revenue collection.
The district had projected to collect UGX 1 billion in locally raised revenue for the 2024/2025 financial year but has so far only managed 70% of this target, with just two months remaining until the end of the financial year.
Abraham Kansiime Manigye, the district secretary for finance and administration, acknowledged the challenges, stating that parish chiefs have struggled with the transition to the new system.
To address the issue, Kansiime announced that the district has launched training sessions to equip officials with the necessary skills, ensuring smoother revenue collection in the future.
