The Justice Forum (JEEMA) has called upon the Ugandan government to reform its tax policies to more favorably consider the local traders over foreign investors.
Swaib Kaggwa Nsereko, the media advisor for JEEMA, expressed concerns that the current tax laws disproportionately benefit international investors at the expense of local business operators.
Nsereko highlighted the struggles faced by Ugandan traders under the existing tax framework, arguing that these conditions hinder their ability to conduct business effectively and contribute to the national economy. “If the tax laws are implemented in a right way, traders will be able to pay it,” Nsereko stated, underscoring the necessity for a more equitable approach to taxation.
The advisor criticized the government’s current focus on attracting foreign investment by offering substantial tax incentives, which he believes marginalize local entrepreneurs who do not receive similar benefits.
The government is prioritizing investors only, yet Ugandan traders are not considered very well,
“as we have suggested before there several ways tax regimes can be introduced in the country but the best approach is to broaden the tax base, and we have suggested that by introducing minimum wage this will enable so many other payers who pay as they earn.” Swaib Kaggwa stated
