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Nalumaga believes that effective collection of this tax can be challenging unless a collaborative relationship is fostered between those responsible for collecting it and the property owners.
She emphasizes that the people living and doing business in the city are essential to its development, and without a partnership between them and the government, governance, and progress become difficult.
Nalumaga underscores the need for property owners, citizens, and leaders to engage in discussions over how to utilise the tax revenue and make the collection process more feasible.
Hoima City recently embarked on a campaign to strengthen dialogue and engagement between administrations and property owners.
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The campaign, referred to as ‘Services and Fair Tax for Property Owners’ organised by RippleNami Uganda with the support of USAID’s Domestic Revenue Mobilization for Development activity, aims to solicit property owners’ views on how the revenues generated from property rates are utilized to fund important social services in the city.
"To make this tax effective, we need trust, accountability, and partnerships. When individuals see that the tax they pay directly benefits them through improved services, they will be motivated to pay," she explains.
Ms. Nalumaga says engagement with property owners will carry on through feedback and planning meetings, where both taxpayers and leaders can share their needs and collaboratively determine how to allocate the collected revenue.
According to Charles Kabiri, the Deputy City Clerk of Hoima, residents in the city expect services such as garbage collection and disposal, street lighting, road maintenance, drainage, public health, and education.
However, he notes that there is a need for more awareness campaigns about property tax payments, as many landlords and property owners are unaware of its importance.
Property tax in Uganda is collected by local government councils, as per the Local Government Act of 2005. This tax applies to commercial, institutional, and rented residential properties. Section 6(1) of the Local Government Act stipulates that the owner of the property in question is liable for the rate payment.
Nalumaga emphasised the significance of collaboration between the city leadership and property owners for effective property tax collection and city development, and she committed to the ongoing communication and cooperation with taxpayers.