URA Taps Experienced Tax Administrator Kateeba to Boost Domestic Collections

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has announced the appointment of Mr. Denis Kugonza Kateeba, a seasoned tax administrator and financial management expert, as its new Commissioner for Domestic Taxes (CDT). His appointment comes at a pivotal time when the Domestic Taxes Department faces mounting pressure to mobilize more revenue for Uganda’s expanding national budget.

A Veteran Administrator with Broad Experience 

Mr. Kateeba steps into the CDT role after four years of distinguished service as Commissioner for Tax Investigations (CTI), where he built a reputation for innovation, reform, and integrity in Uganda’s tax administration. His leadership in that department is credited with reforms in fraud detection, inter-agency coordination, and the establishment of specialized investigation units that disrupted complex tax evasion schemes.

His association with URA is not new. In 2005, he served briefly as an officer in the Domestic Taxes Department before embarking on a career that spanned both government institutions and the private sector. Between 2008 and 2021, Mr. Kateeba worked with the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), where he introduced modern financial systems, improved accountability, and strengthened oversight in public programs.

In addition to his public service, he gained international exposure while working with Howard Frank Chartered Accountants & Auditors in the United Kingdom, where he specialized in external auditing and financial reviews. Colleagues say this blend of international and domestic experience has shaped his rare perspective on the challenges and needs of Uganda’s largest taxpayers.

Academic and Professional Credentials

Mr. Kateeba is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He also holds an MBA in Public Sector Management and a Bachelor of Commerce degree. His professional development portfolio includes specialized training in leadership, forensic auditing, revenue intelligence, and financial management from globally recognized institutions such as the World Bank, Crown Agents (London), and the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI).

Milestones as Commissioner for Tax Investigations

During his tenure as CTI, Mr. Kateeba oversaw several landmark reforms and initiatives:

Withholding tax on agency banking: spearheaded its introduction, widening the tax net in the financial sector.

Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) Bill 2023: championed the legislative framework to strengthen transparency in cross-border financial flows.

Digital forensics in tax disputes: expanded URA’s capacity to resolve disputes with data-driven evidence.

Fraud investigation units: established teams that dismantled sophisticated schemes including sales suppression, invoice trading, and motor vehicle fraud.

Sectoral focus: tightened compliance in key sectors such as trade, telecoms, manufacturing, and the digital economy.

A Leadership Style Rooted in Integrity 

Those who have worked closely with Mr. Kateeba describe him as a participative, situational, and transformational leader. He is known for fostering collaboration, adapting to changing contexts, and upholding integrity. Quiet but firm, he discourages corruption and favoritism, often preferring to mentor young professionals while leading by example.

The Road Ahead for Domestic Taxes

As CDT, Mr. Kateeba is expected to focus on digitizing tax systems, expanding the taxpayer register, and strengthening compliance frameworks. His reform track record suggests that he will emphasize transparency, efficiency, and accountability in revenue collection.

URA insiders also anticipate that he will leverage his past experience in financial reporting at NAADS and budgetary discipline at UNRA to introduce similar reforms in the Domestic Taxes Department. Regional cooperation against cross-border tax fraud and illicit financial flows—initiatives he strongly championed during his CTI tenure—are also expected to remain high on his agenda.

A Strategic Appointment

URA officials describe his appointment as both a homecoming and a strategic choice, noting that his early exposure to Domestic Taxes nearly two decades ago makes him well-suited for the role. With Uganda’s revenue targets rising steadily to match national development priorities, his blend of technical expertise, reform-minded leadership, and zero tolerance for corruption positions him as a key figure in shaping the next chapter of domestic tax administration.