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IGP Ochola boosts Commonwealth Games-bound Police athletes

By
Our Reporter
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SSP Kalule Abu with Joshua Cheptegei

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Okoth Martin Ochola has extended a financial boost to Police marathon athletes ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth games due 28th July in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

The financial assistance was delivered by Senior Superintendent of Police, (SSP) Kalule Abu on behalf of the IGP during his courtesy visit to Police Athletics Training Camp in Kapchorwa.

“The IGP has appreciated your efforts, endurance and discipline exhibited as you participate in different field tracks trials,” Kalule told the Commonwealth Games- bound athletes.

He further applauded them for not only representing the Police Force, but also lifting Uganda’s flag high.

Kalule noted that the IGP had promised to promote all Special Police Constables (SPC) into full Police officers and all the paper work is in progress.

“Continue being disciplined, focused and supportive to one another. This will help you achieve more as you build your career on track and in Uganda Police Force,” he advised.

The package from the IGP will cater for the athletes’ welfare to lift and boost their morale and stay at the high altitude training camp.

Team manager Ali Ngainoka and Coach Njia Benjamin appreciated the financial aid rendered to the athletes and promised to work harder in spearheading the team towards achieving the objectives and talent development.

11 Police athletes made the national team roster that will represent Uganda at the upcoming Commonwealth games. The team is headlined by world champion, ASP Joshua Cheptegei and IP Chemutai Peruth.

Some of the upcoming young talent include; SPC Kiplagat Victor, SPC Chesang Priscar and SPC Chemistu Janat who will be taking part in the World Junior Championships in Colombia next month.

The same team will also represent at the Inter Forces games and the East African Police Chiefs Organization games (EAPCO) earmarked for September 2022.

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Vipers to face BUL in Uganda Cup final

By
Our Reporter
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Uganda Cup trophy

The final of the 48th Stanbic Uganda Cup edition will be between current holders Vipers SC and BUL FC.

BUL FC eliminated Booma FC on Wednesday to progress to a second consecutive Uganda Cup final with a 6-1 on aggregate.

Karim Ndugwa’s half goal gave BUL Victory to cruise to the final. The veteran forward headed home Ivan Wani’s cross to settle the return leg contest and ensure the Jinja based outfit returned to the final.

Alex Isabirye’s men advanced having won the first leg fixture 5-1 in Masindi.

Two-time winners Vipers (2016 and 2021) also progressed to the final with a 6-1 aggregate win over Mbarara City FC.

The Venoms put up a brilliant display to dispatch the Ankole Lions, winning the return leg played at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende 4-0. They had secured a 2-1 advantage from the reverse fixture last week.

It will be a repeat of last season’s final where the Venoms thumped BUL 8-1 at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

Vipers are attempting to win a domestic double having already sealed the Uganda Premier League title.

The Uganda Cup final will be played on June 12th in Masindi. The winner represents Uganda in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Uganda Cup final 2022

Vipers SC vs BUL FC

12th June 2022

Masindi Municipal Stadium.

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Ministers, Land Commission liable for Naguru-Nakawa land saga

By
Our Reporter
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Hon. Kimosho lays copies of the report before Parliament

Parliament has adopted recommendations of the Ad hoc Committee on the Naguru-Nakawa land holding several current and former ministers and the Uganda Land Commission liable for the illegal land dealings.

The report presented by Committee Chairperson, Hon. Dan Kimosho on 18 May 2022 recommends that the Minister for Lands then, Hon. Persis Namuganza directed the Uganda Land Commission to allocate land to entities on purported instructions from the President.

“Hon. Persis Namuganza be held accountable for abuse of office for misleading the ULC into allocation of land to individuals and entities following presidential directive which were non-existent,” Kimosho said. 

The land totaling to 142 acres was withdrawn from Opec Prime Properties Ltd which had been allocated the land in 2007 to develop a satellite city in the estate.  The contract was to construct 1,747 residential units for purchase by the registered tenants of the Nakawa- Naguru Housing Estate having the first priority. The project was expected to be complete in 10 years.

The report implicates former Deputy Attorney, Mwesigwa Rukutana, then Lands Minister, Betty Amongi and former ULC chair, Baguma Isoke for undue influence leading to re-entry into the Naguru land which portrayed government in what is described as bad light.

“This resulted in government paying shs50 million as the ministers were found guilty of contempt of court. The monies that were ordered by court to be paid by ministers but was paid by government should be recovered from them,” the report reads in part.

The report also faults ULC for bypassing the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act when it publicized land allocations using brokers and simple notices on its premises.

“Most allocatees informed the committee that they got information about the availability of land at Naguru estate through brokers. ULC said that following the visit of then Minister of Lands Hon. Betty Kamya and the technical team, they had an influx of applications. In order to handle the applications, they issued a notice detailing the requirements which the applicants should submit alongside their applications,” said Kimosho.

The committee noted that the commission never issued an advert for the available public land which he said was a non- transparent process devoid of integrity expected of a public entity. MPs called for the censure of the ULC secretary and all commissioners and recommended that a competent team be instituted to save more government land.

“Let this Parliament at its peak be remembered for censuring those who are responsible and that is the only way we can help the president and the public have the right officers,” said Robert Migadde (NRM, Buvuma islands County).

Hon. Mbwatekamwa Gafa (NRM, Igara County West) said it was shocking to hear a person in the stature of a minister engaging in such a venture of low integrity.

“Hon. Namuganza has a responsibility and she must tell this House how this happened.  People should be held responsible including some commissioners,” said Mbwatekamwa.

Namuganza insisted that she met the president over the matter in 2020 in the presence of the commission although the committee could not find evidence of the directive from the President to allocate land.

“On 24 January 2020, I wrote a letter requesting for allocation of 10 acres of land to construct a modern children’s hospital and dialysis centre,” said Namuganza.

The Third Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Rukia Nakadama promised to table the committee findings before the cabinet and that action would be taken against culpable officials.

“The executive will take up the matter and I think after two months, whoever will be found guilty, action will be taken against that person,” said Nakadama.

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Bitature/Skyz Hotel lawyers respond to auction claims

By
Our Reporter
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Patrick Bitature

The owner and founder of Simba Group, Patrick Bitature has through his lawyers of Muwema & Co. Advocates responded to the auction claims of Skyz Hotel Naguru along with other two properties owned by the businessman.

According to a public auction advert issued by Quickway Auctioneers and Court Bailiffs, the properties were lined up in order to recover all the monies owed from the loan Bitature acquired from South African lenders Vantage Mezzanine Fund.

In 2014, Bitature under Simba Property Investment secured $10 million (Shs36 billion) from Vantage Mezzanine Fund to expand his empire. But years later, the debt had skyrocketed and Bitature was struggling to pay back the debt finding himself at risk of having to surrender his entire business empire to auction.

“Duly instructed by M/s Kirunda & Wasige Advocates, on behalf of their client the registered mortgagee, we shall proceed to sell by public auction/private treaty the undermentioned property under the Mortgage Act, 2009 unless the debtor/mortgagor pays the entire outstanding loan balance and all costs attendant to our clients within 30 calendar days from the date of this advert, our client shall sake or take possession of the property described here to recover all the monies owed,” the notice read.

The other properties are Elizabeth Royal Apartments in Kololo and Moyo Close Apartments.

Bitature has dismissed the auction advert saying it had been issued without any legal basis.

He contends that the dispute was settled on the 9th May 2022 by Hon. Justice Musa Ssekana of the High Court when he declared that Vantage Mezzanine Fund II Partnership is a non-existent legal entity which had no locus standi to file the suit.

Full statement

Patrick Bitature

MR PATRICK BITATURE RESPONDS

PUBLIC NOTICE  

We act for M/s Simba Properties Investment Co. Ltd, the registered proprietor of Protea Hotel – Naguru SKyz, Elizabeth Royal Apartments and Moyo Close Apartments.

1. Our Client’s attention is drawn to a public auction advert issued by Quickway Auctioneers and Court Bailiffs appearing at Page 9 of the Monitor newspaper of today purporting to offer our client’s abovementioned properties for sale upon the instructions of M/s Kirunda & Wasige Advocates.

2. We wish to inform the general public that the said Advert has been issued without any legal basis. It is a malicious advert whose sole purpose is to alarm and cause irreparable damage to our client’s business and reputation.

3. In that regard, we state the correct position of the matter as follows:

i) Our client’s properties are not liable to be advertised for sale by any mortgagee purported to be represented by Kirunda & Wasige Advocates and Quickway Auctioneers and Court Bailiffs.

ii) M/s Kirunda & Wasige Advocates used to act for Vantage Mezzanine Fund II Partnership, in a long-standing Commercial dispute with our client which was decided against them recently.

iii) The above dispute was settled on the 9th May 2022 by Hon. Justice Musa Ssekana of the High Court when he declared in Misc. Cause No. 205 of 2021 Vantage Mezzanine Fund II Partnership vs Simba Properties Investment Co. Ltd, that Vantage Mezzanine Fund II Partnership is a non-existent legal entity which had no locus standi to file the suit.

iv) A copy of the self-explanatory Court Order which must be respected by all persons is attached for ease of reference.

v) So, from the 9th May 2022, M/s Kirunda & Wasige Advocates ceased to have a client to act for and for that matter, they cannot claim to be instructed to take legal action of any form by or for the non-existent Vantage Mezzanine Fund II Partnership.

vi) The action taken by Kirunda & Wasige Advocates and Quickway Auctioneers and Court Bailiffs tends to disabuse the binding judicial authority which nullifies any masquerade of legal existence by Vantage Mezzanine Fund II Partnership when they unlawfully purport to resurrect it with legal personality rights, whereas not.

vii) The above misguided and unprofessional conduct by the said lawyers and auctioneers undermines the authority of the courts of law to adjudicate disputes between the parties and is also in blatant disregard and contempt of court orders.

viii) Our client has therefore instructed us to exorcise the ghost of the non-existent Vantage Mezzanine Fund II Partnership by taking the appropriate compensatory legal action against its promoters, lawyers, Auctioneers and Monitor newspaper for the offensive publication.

ix) Our client’s well-wishers, business associates and the general public are informed and advised accordingly to ignore the impugned public notice.

Anyone who acts upon the falsehoods and misrepresentation in the impugned public notice does so at their grave risk and peril.

DATED at Kampala the 18th day of May, 2022.

__________

MUWEMA & CO. ADVOCATES

(COUNSEL FOR SIMBA PROPERTIES INVESTMENT CO. LTD)

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MTN MoMo to announce first car winners of MoMo Nyabo Waaka Promotion

By
Our Reporter
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24 lucky MTN MoMo customers will win one of these Toyota Succeed cars in the ongoing MTN MoMo Nyabo Waaka promotion

MTN MoMo Ltd, Uganda’s leading mobile Financial Services company is set to announce the set of car winners in its ongoing MoMo Nyabo Waaka promotion that was launched last week.

Three lucky MTN MoMo customers who have participated in the promotion by simply depositing money on their MoMo accounts will walk away with Toyota Succeed Cars.

Since the official launch of the Promo, MTN MoMo has been sensitizing the public about how to participate in the promotion as well as staying vigilant against fraudsters. Following the launch of the promotion, MTN MoMo held physical sensitization drives in the various divisions of Kampala including Nakawa, Kawempe, Rubaga, Makindye, Central as well as Jinja town. The rest of the country is getting sensitized about the ongoing promotion through different media platforms.

Richard Yego, the MTN MoMo Managing Director said this awareness drive is to ensure that MTN customers keep their accounts active by depositing money. Yego urged Ugandans to be aware of conmen noting that all the winners shall be contacted only by 0312120000.

In this promotion, MTN is giving away 24 Toyota Succeed cars and Mobile Money worth 2 billion shillings to over 16,000 MTN MoMo customers and over 5000 MoMo agents in a period of 8 weeks.

Every week, three lucky customers will win cars while 2000 MoMo customers and 135 MoMo agents will win Mobile Money worth Shs100,000 each.

The car winners’ draw will be televised on NBS TV and Bukedde TV every Thursday at 8:30pm. Tune in to one of these TV channels tomorrow to find out who the first car winners of the MoMo NyaboWaaka edition promotion will be.

The cars will be delivered to the winners by the MTN MoMo promotion team at no cost while the Mobile Money winners will have their money sent directly to their phones

“Every MTN customer is eligible to win as long as they keep depositing money on their MTN MoMo Accounts.” Yego said, urging customers to participate in the highly-rewarding promotion.

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UDB, European Union announce second tourism loan and grant facilities

By
Our Reporter
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UDB, European Union Announce Second Tourism loan and grant Facilities

Uganda Development Bank Ltd (UDBL), the country’s national Development Finance Institution, in partnership with the European Union, has announced a special call for eligible businesses in the tourism sector to apply for and receive up to Shs1 billion in grants and soft loan with flexible terms aligned to the current needs of the sector.

The Facility is intended to give operators access to working capital to fast track recovery post the Covid-19 devastating effects and support initiatives to become more environment friendly.

“At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Uganda, like other countries, sanctioned travel restrictions within and out of the country. The Travel restrictions and Standard Operating Procedures Contribute to a severe contraction of business opportunities and viability of business resulting in closure for some and eventual loss of jobs. This Facility is targeting the recovery of these businesses as they take advantage of growing tourist traffic both local and foreign,” Ms Patricia Ojangole the Managing Director of UDB said during the launch of the Call.

The total Facility is over Shs62 billion made up of Shs 40 billion ring-fenced funds from UDB and complemented by a grant of Shs21.8 billion from the European Union. Under this facility, only customers that qualify for the loan will be eligible for the grant.

The flexible facility offers a low interest repayable within a five-year period with a two-year grace period. UDB will also provide business advisory services under the Business Accelerator for Successful Entrepreneurship (B.A.S.E) to assist intending applicants meet the criteria for the application. Complementary environmental assessment by a certified organization will also be offered to successful applicants to facilitate the improvement of their environmental footprint through among others better waste management and renewable energy sources.

“The call is open to legally registered businesses that have been in operation for at least two years. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate that their businesses will be able to retain their employees during the period of the loan,” Ms Ojangole added.

“UDB remains committed to agile innovations to match the needs of our customers and to support the mission of the Bank in improving the quality of lives of Ugandans through high impact interventions. We thank the European Union for partnering with us in this cause especially during this time when working capital is crucial to the recovery and growth for businesses in this vital sector.”

This programme was designed in 2020 in partnership with key stakeholders in the sector to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on businesses operating in the tourism and hospitality industry.

“For this second call, a lenient criterion has been adapted to better meet the needs of the sector today,like incorporating the list of eligible expenditures the company initiated to make tourism establishments more environmentally friendly.This could include investments aiming at improving waste management, promoting the use of alternative sources of energy, and going digital among others. Indeed, the EU is committed to supporting the tourism sector in Uganda to ensure many more people from all over the world come and visit this beautiful and amazing country,” Caroline Adriaensen, EU Head of Cooperation.

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Police Crime Report: Rape, domestic violence and defilement cases shoot up in Uganda

By
Geoffery Serugo
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IGP Okoth Ochola

Cases of domestic violence, rape and defilement shot up in Uganda, the newly released 2021 Annual Crime Report indicates.

Released earlier today, the report indicates that 17,533 cases of domestic violence were reported last year compared to 17,664 cases which were reported in 2020. Of those, 3103 cases were of male adults, 12,877 were female adults, 871 male were juveniles and 702 female juveniles.

At least 1486 cases of rape were reported at the various polices stations in the country. A total of 1396 were females while 90 were female juveniles. The report shows that a total of 1668 narcotic related cases were registered compared to 1714 which were recorded in 2020. A total of 23887.83kg of narcotics was seized at Entebbe Airport compared to 41.96kgs seized in 2020.

The report indicates that defilement cases went up in 2021 compared to 2020. 14,570 cases were reported compared to 14,230 cases in 2020. In tandem, 759 murders by mob cases were recorded last year compared to 540 cases in 2020 while 302 murders by shooting cases are under review compared to 449 in 2020.  

According to the Report, 13 organized criminal syndicates were dismantled in 2021. They operated in areas of Kampala Metropolitan, Mityana, Kiboga, Mbarara and Fort Portal among other areas. This brings the total of organised criminal syndicates dismantled since 2018 to 45.

Speaking at the launch of the report, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Martins Okoth Ochola said there was a 0.1% increase in the volume of crimes reported to Police from 195,931 cases reported in the year 2020 to 196,081 cases in 2021. These crime trends were greatly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and the subsequent opening of all sectors of the economy. The details on management and performance, Crime distribution, status and gravity of the reported cases are all discussed in the Report.

He said police will improve the quality of services we offer to the public, engage communities through our community policing programs aimed at building a stronger trust between the police and the population and enhance officer training to improve the use of modern technologies.

“We shall digitalize and integrate crime records for purposes of easy detection, reporting, tracking, supervision and analysis of crime trends.”

Since crime management is not a single spine function for the Criminal Investigations Directorate, Ochola said all Police Directorates are required to play their respective roles towards crime management and reduction, setting crime performance targets and standards against which they will be periodically measured. For quick and effective monitoring of crime trends, the Police Management also plans to release quarterly crime reports to the public.

Critically, challenges of staff welfare, motivation and satisfaction are relevant in policing. The Uganda Police Force management is focusing on improving the welfare of all its personnel especially addressing the pertinent question of accommodation to achieve good staff performance and satisfaction.

The Police is also faced with challenges in its efforts to tackle crime and some of these are internal, others are external while others are within the criminal justice chain.

He applauded the entire Police fraternity for continuing to keep the country safe and urged Ugandans to continue the fight against crime for a safer Uganda.

 “I also convey my gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, sister security Agencies, JLOS Partners, the media and the public for their support in fighting crime.”

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Uganda’s Collective Investment Scheme Assets cross Shs 1 trillion

By
Our Reporter
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Keith Kalyegira CEO of CMA

The Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has announced the attainment of Shs1.15 trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM) by licensed Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) managers, representing savings mobilized from Ugandans.

This is a major milestone in Uganda’s march towards financial inclusion and savings mobilization that has been attained three years ahead of schedule according to the CMA’s four-year Strategic Development Plan (2021/22 – 2024/25).

CMA’s data indicates that licensed CIS Managers who include; UAP-Old Mutual Financial Services Limited, ICEA Lion Asset Management Limited, Britam Asset Managers Uganda Limited, Xeno Technologies Uganda Limited, and Sanlam Investments East Africa Limited had a total of Shs 1,147.9 billion in AUM at the end of March 2022.

This represents a growth of 17.4 per cent from Shs 977.6 billion at the end of December 2021.

At the same time, the total number of Ugandans with CIS accounts at the end of March 2022 was 32,998 investor accounts, compared to 26,936 investor accounts in the same period. This growth in AUM and clients can be attributed to increased awareness about the benefits of investing through CIS vehicles among Ugandans.

Commenting on the CIS milestone, Hon. Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said: “Allow me to commend the 32,998 Ugandans who have already decided to save through CIS by opening accounts with the five licensed CIS managers, an improvement of 22.5% from 26,936 in a space of three months; however, we can do a lot better.”

He added: “Once more, I would like to congratulate the stakeholders in Uganda’s Capital Markets and the investing public on attaining an important milestone within the National Development Plan III, three years ahead of schedule.”

Commenting on the Milestone, Keith Kalyegira, the CEO of the Capital Markets Authority said: “As savings improve, the focus of Ugandans should now turn to avenues, such as the Collective Investment Schemes, through which these savings can earn a high return while keeping risk as low as possible.”

He added: “We would like to see more Ugandans choose CIS as their investment vehicles of choice regardless of the size of their savings. The interest earned per scheme type is averages at an estimated 10% or more on an annualized basis, which is attractive in preserving the wealth of Ugandans against inflation.”

For those who have not yet saved through a Collective Investment Scheme; CIS’s offer a way to earn interest through passive investments in Government of Uganda Treasury Bonds and Bills, Fixed Deposits, Call Deposits, Commercial Paper, Corporate Bonds, Company stocks and other financial instruments in East Africa.

CIS’s ensure that Ugandans enjoy the benefits of having their savings managed by professionals. There are also the benefits of risk diversification, lower transaction costs, and access to a wide variety of securities investments with a small sum of at least Shs100,000.

With a CIS, securities can be sold when you deem it necessary, such as to pay school fees, in total or in part at any time.

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Parliament invites IGG to probe President’s initiative on epidemics

By
Our Reporter
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Dr. Musenero

Parliament has interested the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) into investigating the operations of the Presidential Scientific Initiative on Epidemics (PRESIDE) that was supervised by the Minister of Science and Innovation, Dr Monica Musenero.

The Select Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, last week presented its report to Parliament recommending the disbandment of PRESIDE following the uncovering of gross irregularities in its operations and asked that Musenero who was commandeering the Project to step aside for further investigations.

However, Musenero, in a spirited defence during plenary on Tuesday, 17 May 2022, denied any wrong doing in the running of PRESIDE, adding that all financial resources allocated to the entity were being coordinated by the then Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and had been accounted for.

“PRESIDE never had personal accounts with all its payments to third parties being handled by the ministry under the stewardship of the Permanent Secretary and its then minister, Hon. Elioda Tumwesigye,” she said.

However, the chairperson, Hon. Xavier Kyooma, clarified that funds indeed were lost and that it would be a misrepresentation, watering down the findings of the committee by the minister that no money was lost.

“I wish to clarify that in our report we found that; Shs491 million meant to meet operational costs was spent but unaccounted for, Shs2.06 billion went missing and, only Shs444 million out of Shs1.4 billion intended for salaries was paid,” he stated.

Kiira Municipality MP, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju, said that the beginning of the problem was because PRESIDE as an entity had no legal status.

“The President did not have to choose PRESIDE with no legal status to do work that could have been handled by the ministry delegated to supervise it,” said Ssemujju.

He added that Parliament should address itself to the systematic problem originating from the leadership concerning the arbitrary nature of conducting government business.

“It was an oversight as a poor country to set up an initiative that would oversee the production of vaccines when the US, a rich country is still struggling to make vaccines,” Ssemujju supplemented.

He further called upon fellow MPs to adopt the report and for Parliament to delegate a competent entity to further investigate the issues raised in the management of PRESIDE.

Hon. Henry Kibalya (NRM, Bugabula County South) stated that PRESIDE was given too much power which they eventually misused, appointing relatives irregularly and abusing funds allocated to the initiative.

“The first mistake made by the powers that be was to give powers to the minister to do whatever she wished without having to consult Parliament and she should, therefore, be made accountable,” he said.

Hon. Nathan Byanyima (NRM, Bukanga North County) expressed his disappointment in Dr Musenero for abusing funds during a time when the country’s resource envelope was narrowing, and money should be well utilised.

“The President has been appointing people who have unfortunately let down the country and should be brought to book for all their misdeeds,” he added.

On the other hand, Kimaanya-Kabonera Division MP, Dr Abed Bwanika, said that Musenero was one of the most brilliant people the country has in the field of science and therefore, her role in this should be distinguished from the incompetency of the ministries of Science and Technology and Finance.

“The report clearly points out issues of financial mismanagement and the illegality of PRESIDE. The National Council of Science and Technology did not take charge of PRESIDE and it failed us,” he added.

Hon. Loy Katali (NRM, Jinja District Woman MP) said there is an issue of corporate governance and conflict of interest because Musenero as the chairperson of PRESIDE did not resign when she was appointed a minister.

She added: “We see a common trend involving the diversion, misuse and lack of accountability of funds; something at has become apparent in almost all newly created projects”.

The Third Deputy Prime Minister, Rukia Nakadama, promised that government would scrutinise the report and take the recommended actions with the IGG before reporting back to Parliament with the Treasury Memorandum within three months.

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MPs reject proposal to exempt wheat, older computers from VAT

By
Our Reporter
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MP Muhammad-Nsereko

Parliament has passed amendments to the Value Added Tax rejecting a proposal by Kampala Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Muhammad Nsereko to exempt from bread, wheat and five year old computers.

Nsereko said bread, or any other inputs like wheat should be VAT exempt to make it affordable to citizens, who he said are currently grappling with the skyrocketed prices of basic commodities.

“For as long as it [wheat] is declared as an input in the making of bread, let it be exempt,” he said which proposal was rejected by MPs upon being put to vote.

Hon. Martin Muzaale (NRM, Buzaaya County) said the 11th Parliament needs to develop an approach to comprehensively look at the tax laws with the intention to release the pressures on citizens.

He said instead of looking at bread only, it would have been equally good if Parliament varied by way of reduction or outright exemption, VAT on fuel, which he said has an effect on all other basic commodities.

Removing VAT on computers five years older, reasoned MP Nsereko would help families afford the machines which he argued is increasingly becoming the basis of learning in Uganda.

Hon. Fox Odoi Oywelowo (NRM, West Budama North), however, differed.

“A five year old computer is due only for destruction; they are an environmental hazard. Destroying them is expensive and Uganda cannot afford it,” he said.

Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among said it would be better to provide requisite conditions for the assembly of computers in the country instead of encouraging the importation of older computers.

“Are we encouraging this country to be a dumping ground? If we can have Kiira Motors [a vehicle manufacturing and assembly plant], why can’t we instead push for an assembly plant [for computers]?” she said.

Imports used by businesses in exempt supplies have also been slapped with VAT, following the amendment of Section 20(2) of the VAT Act by passing clause 2 of the Bill, which deleted the supplies from categories exempted from the tax.

Oxygen cylinders and oxygen for medical use, assistive devices used by persons with disabilities have been exempted from VAT.

Educational materials including those manufactured in any of the East African Community countries will also be exempt from VAT should President Museveni assent to the VAT Bill passed by Parliament.

Sanitary towels, menstrual cups, tampons and the inputs for the manufacture of sanitary wear have also been relieved from the taxman’s jaws, in passing clause 5 of the Bill.

An amendment by the Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Jane Pacutho to zero rate supply of electricity to consumers was also rejected.

“…the zero-rating of the connection of electricity to new consumers will make power affordable to the end user and also save the environment,” said MP Pacutho, but Finance State Minister, Hon. Henry Musasizi opposed the idea.

“…zero rating is a bad practice; I stand to oppose it because revenue loss will be bigger than the benefit [of zero rating] to the taxpayer,” said Hon Musasizi.

Zero rating is a tax practice that provides for items as taxable under the Value Added Tax but tag a rate of zero to it so that the effect is that the item is actual VAT free.

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