SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — The Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) has launched a club at the National University of Rwanda (NUR) to spearhead tax awareness campaign in order to minimise tax evasions.

The Tax Friends Club, formed by students from the Faculty of Economics and Management-under the Accounting Students Association of the National University of Rwanda (ASA-NUR) was launched on Thursday October 2.

Officiating at the launch, the deputy Commissioner of RRA, Eugene Tolero, called upon association members to use their knowledge and energies to cultivate the culture of paying taxes among Rwandans.

"You should be able to sensitise the population about taxes and enable them to understand the role of taxes in growth and development,” said Tolero.

According to Tolero, the campaign to start the Tax Friends Clubs started in secondary schools in 2002 and has now spread to 50 secondary schools, universities and other higher institutions of learning.

Torero hailed the cooperation between RRA and NUR, saying that it will be used to address national, regional and global tax related issues through research and academic debates.

ASA-NUR was started in 2000. It brings together all students from the Faculty of Economics and Management.

The association aims at producing licensed tax trainers who will help business people in planning and assessment of their tax liability and management of businesses, according to the association patron, Prof. Rama Roa.

Rama revealed that the Faculty is soon introducing a Master of Science in Professional Accounting to boost accounting skills in the country.

"Having professional accountants in the country is a kingpin in the county’s development drive,” underscored Prof Rama.
He described RRA as the most ‘professionally’ run government institution in the country.

Donozio Murangwa, the President of ASA-NUR said that the association is preparing a simplified handbook on tax related issues to help mainly rural taxpayers.

"The handbook will be in Kinyarwanda and should be out by February 2009,” said Murangwa.

Francois Rutayisire, the president of the Private Sector Federation in the Province, urged association members to master tax principles in order to help erase fears regarding taxes among the general public.

"Experience has shown that many people evade taxes out of ignorance. In the end they pay more than they would, if they had followed proper channels,” observed Rutayisire.

Rutayisire counseled young upcoming private entrepreneurs, saying "do not fear taking risks, work hard and be honest.”

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