Eronda
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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- 590
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is seeking the help of utility companies to recover billions of shillings in unpaid property taxes, including through possible disconnection of services from defaulters.
KCCA Director of Revenue Collection Robert Nowere told Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) that the Authority is considering partnering with companies such as the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to make property owners more prompt in paying taxes.
“What we were intending to do was to seek partnership with those utility companies like NWSC so that when they come to a place, and you have property tax outstanding arrears, they disconnect you,” Mr Nowere said.
He said such an arrangement is already used in some countries, including South Africa, where city authorities provide utilities and can link payment of property taxes to water and electricity bills.
Mr Nowere added that when a property owner falls into arrears, the utility service can be disconnected, prompting taxpayers to settle their bills.
He was appearing before Cosase, chaired by Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi, to respond to queries raised in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ended June 2025.
The audit report shows that KCCA’s revenue arrears increased from Shs281.13 billion to Shs328.16 billion during the year.
The proposal, however, drew scepticism from legislators, including Kira Municipality MP George Musisi.
Mr Musisi said:“Members of Cosase know that NWSC is also grappling with debt collection. I don’t know how you can go to a person who is also struggling to help you with the same disease.”
KCCA’s proposed partnership with utility companies comes as the Authority seeks to improve its revenue collection and reduce the growing stock of unpaid taxes.
However, Mr Samuel Apedel, the director of public relations at NWSC, told this publication last evening that the corporation was not aware of such a proposal.
“The mandate of NWSC is to provide water and sewerage services in areas gazetted to it,” Mr Apedel said.
Source: Daily Monitor
KCCA Director of Revenue Collection Robert Nowere told Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) that the Authority is considering partnering with companies such as the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to make property owners more prompt in paying taxes.
“What we were intending to do was to seek partnership with those utility companies like NWSC so that when they come to a place, and you have property tax outstanding arrears, they disconnect you,” Mr Nowere said.
He said such an arrangement is already used in some countries, including South Africa, where city authorities provide utilities and can link payment of property taxes to water and electricity bills.
Mr Nowere added that when a property owner falls into arrears, the utility service can be disconnected, prompting taxpayers to settle their bills.
He was appearing before Cosase, chaired by Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi, to respond to queries raised in the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ended June 2025.
The audit report shows that KCCA’s revenue arrears increased from Shs281.13 billion to Shs328.16 billion during the year.
The proposal, however, drew scepticism from legislators, including Kira Municipality MP George Musisi.
Mr Musisi said:“Members of Cosase know that NWSC is also grappling with debt collection. I don’t know how you can go to a person who is also struggling to help you with the same disease.”
KCCA’s proposed partnership with utility companies comes as the Authority seeks to improve its revenue collection and reduce the growing stock of unpaid taxes.
However, Mr Samuel Apedel, the director of public relations at NWSC, told this publication last evening that the corporation was not aware of such a proposal.
“The mandate of NWSC is to provide water and sewerage services in areas gazetted to it,” Mr Apedel said.
Source: Daily Monitor