MUKONO – President Yoweri Museveni has shown surprise about private institutions paying taxes.
Mr. Museveni who attended a fundraising ceremony at Uganda Christian University in Mukono said: “I had no idea that private institutions are being taxed.”
“It’s not a good idea for private universities to be paying taxes. Let that money be used to develop the science laboratories.”
Both Mr. Museveni and Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga graced an annual run that brought together different stakeholders including Parliament, human rights, Local Government leaders in Mukono, scouts among others.
UCU being one of the private institutions that has been highly taxed and through their outgoing Vice Chancellor Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi had previously asked government to intervene on matter.
UCU is one of the institutions providing quality education to the students but the University often comes in news for charging exorbitant tuition fees.
A recent function, Vice Chancellor said the taxes by URA have forced institutions of higher learning to increase their tuition which in turn affects the students.
The Guild Run that was earlier flagged off by Speaker Kadaga is initiative that is the first of its kind introduced by the 2019/2020 guild government meant to fund raise money for tuition for the needy students with fees balances and also installation security lights around the university to prevent theft.
The Guild President of UCU Mukono Mr. Timothy Kadaga Kivunike said that he came up with the idea after he was perturbed by a student he came cross in his first year who had tuition problems instead of studying for 3 years she studied for six years for her course.
He said: “This run is to fundraise money that will be used to help those with tuition problems.”
“The money will also be used to install security lights along Bishop Tucker road to help non resident students.” He added
He noted that high taxes imposed on the University affect students and therefore urged the president to exempt private universities from paying taxes.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of UCU Mr. David Mugawe confirmed that most students face issues of tuition at the university.
“As a University we have a Financial Aid, scholarships, Save a Buddy fund which helps to support students with fees balances however, this is still not enough.” He said
He also noted that the fund is to help get funds for the security lights on Bishop Tucker Road and to the Hall avenues around the campus.
“The institution has about 13,000 students of which 3,000 of them are non residents.” He said
He then pledged that as management they will ensure that the fund grows.
