Women’s Rights Groups Slam Government Proposal Allowing URA Access to Bank Accounts

Women’s rights advocates and civil society organisations in Uganda have strongly opposed a government plan to grant the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) access to individual and business bank accounts. The advocates warn that the measure could compromise financial privacy, erode public trust in banking institutions, and disproportionately harm women entrepreneurs.

Speaking in Kampala, Patricia Munabi Babiiha, executive director of the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), explained that many women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises rely on fragile working capital. Babiiha noted that women entrepreneurs, particularly those with limited legal and financial literacy, could become vulnerable to intimidation and bribery if officials gained broad discretionary powers over their private financial records.

The debate follows comments by the Minister of State for Finance in charge of Planning, Amos Lugoloobi. Lugoloobi informed Parliament that the government is seeking legal avenues to access bank accounts to strengthen tax administration and combat tax evasion, clarifying that linking TINs and NINs would not automatically open accounts without separate legal authorisation.

Despite these clarifications, advocates argue that the policy threatens hard-won progress in financial inclusion. Citing the 2023 FinScope Uganda Survey, FOWODE pointed out that women’s formal financial inclusion stands at 62 percent compared to 75 percent for men. Many women operating market stalls, salons, and tailoring businesses mix household and business funds. Freezing or restricting these accounts could severely disrupt family livelihoods and basic needs.

Oxfam in Uganda’s Sophie Nampewo added that the plan risks driving citizens away from formal banking systems and back into cash transactions. Similarly, the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) warned that privacy fears would push traders to store cash outside banks, increasing security risks and stalling business formalisation.

Civil society coalitions are urging the Ministry of Finance to withdraw the proposal, calling on Parliament, the Bank of Uganda, and the Uganda Law Society to defend constitutional privacy rights and customer confidentiality. More details can be found in the original report on Nile Post.