HUYE – University students need to be equipped with the knowledge of taxation and customs in the East African Community, because they are the future managers and taxpayers, Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) officials said.

The call was made  on Wednesday as the national tax body conducted training session for students at the National University of Rwanda. 

"As the elite in the society, university students have a big role to play in sensitising the rest of the population on tax issues. But for them to do this, they need to be knowledgeable, that is why this training was pertinent,” said Fred Karemera, the Regional Tax coordinator.

"The student’s knowledge of tax issues is impressive especially those with an accounting background, it is important that we reach out to as many as we can because they are the future employers and taxpayers.”

Karemera added that majority of the local business people are still ignorant of tax issues, which he blamed on their reluctance to learn.

"We have been holding tax seminars in our different tax business centres but we get the wrong people for training as we have found out that  business owners do not want to attend as they delegate people who are not very keen to learn a thing about taxation,” said Karemera.

He said that as RRA continues to decentralise its activities many business persons will be sensitised as they come to pay taxes.

Grace Mugabekazi, a student leader  said that their  association, which brought together the students was formed in 2007.It  seeks to inculcate an entrepreneurship culture among university students.

"Through this association, we want to forge an entrepreneurship spirit among our members, they are given training in different areas like leadership, career development, all this is meant to act as an eye opener to the enormous opportunities available in the business world,” said Mugabekazi.

The students body is also now member of the Junior Chamber International Rwanda chapter – a federation of young active citizens aged between 18-40 years.

According to Mugabekazi, this is an opportunity to create global networks for young people.

"It offers an opportunity for professional development, making youths better citizens in whatever fields they are in; either leadership or business,” she said.

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