Telecom Data Becomes Uganda’s New Tax Goldmine as URA Plugs Revenue Leakages

Uganda is emerging as a leading example of how telecom monitoring systems can strengthen tax revenue mobilisation in the digital economy. By deploying real-time Telecom Monitoring Systems (TIMS) and Data Monitoring Systems (DMS), the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has enhanced its ability to track and verify billions of telecom and mobile money transactions, improving tax compliance and reducing revenue leakages. As a result, telecom-related tax revenue in Uganda increased from Shs 836 billion in FY2019/20 to Shs 1.49 trillion in FY2024/25, with monthly collections projected to exceed Shs 120 billion. These digital monitoring systems enable accurate revenue forecasting and provide regulators with independent visibility over operator-declared revenues. The Uganda case demonstrates how digital transaction monitoring and telecom data analytics can transform tax administration, expand fiscal space, and support sustainable revenue growth without introducing new taxes, positioning telecom infrastructure as a critical foundation for data-driven governance.