The Government has pledged to tackle issues related to unfair tax assessments, high taxes, and the influx of Chinese nationals in their businesses in response to the grievances raised by the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA).
Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Ramathan Ggoobi made this commitment during a meeting held on Friday, March 8, at Royal Complex in Kampala, attended by KACITA members led by Chairperson Thaddeus Musoke.
The meeting also saw the presence of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) leadership, led by Commissioner General John Musinguzi. This engagement came in line with a directive from President Yoweri Museveni to PS Ggoobi to engage with KACITA and understand their challenges concerning tax matters and the broader business environment in the city.
Earlier in the week, the leadership of KACITA had met with the President, highlighting the tax-related challenges hindering their business operations. In response to their concerns, PS Ggoobi assured the traders on behalf of the Government that their issues would be addressed systematically. He further announced plans for a follow-up meeting between KACITA and the President to solidify the decisions made.
PS Ggoobi urged traders to uphold integrity by avoiding under-declaration of goods, smuggling, and tax evasion, emphasizing the importance of paying correct taxes as per assessment. He also stressed the necessity for industrialization and import substitution to foster employment opportunities and support economic growth.
“We will remove the unfairness, but you must pay the correct taxes as per the assessment,” stated Ggoobi, who also serves as the country’s Secretary to the Treasury.
Commissioner General Musinguzi echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of paying accurate tax values and seeking amicable resolutions to issues rather than resorting to strikes.
