The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has called upon Ugandans living in the Diaspora to send more donations in form of medical and school supplies back home without any fear of them being taxed.
Kadaga said that with the right procedures, arrangements can be made with the Ministry of Finance to import donations tax free from the Diaspora.
The Speaker, who was addressing a Technology, Trade and Investment Forum at the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) on Friday, 1st September, 2017 in Miami, Florida, was responding to a comment that some philanthropists in the Diaspora have been frustrated by bottlenecks in Uganda when they donate medical, educational or other technological items.
“You should not hesitate at all to send us equipment that is both for education or medical use because of fear of it being highly taxed; with proper planning our colleagues in the central government can arrange for lifting of taxes because we need all the help we can get.” The Speaker said.
Kadaga said that in certain cases, the government might totally exempt the taxes without the line ministry having to pay.
The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa said that the problem was with some Ugandans taking advantage of the system to import equipment that they intend to sell or use for private business.
“Ugandans misuse the opportunities set in place by the government for those who intend to use them well. When you want to send the equipment, inform the relevant Ministry which in turn can make an allowance in its budget to pay for the taxes of the equipment.” She added.
Additional Reporting by Parliament Press.
