__________________

SOROTI - Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) Soroti central pastorate bishop Mathew Omagor has questioned the Government’s plans to tax churches.

Early last month, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) conducted a tax education workshop on the taxation of religious activities for laity leaders of the Kampala Anglican Diocese.

According to URA manager of business policy Brian Mugasha, churches are required to register for taxes, file returns, pay rental tax if they operate a rental business, pay income tax for institutions they own, and pay VAT.

However, For tithes and offertories to be exempted, churches must obtain a letter requesting exemption from URA commissioner general or finance minister.

That directive has not gone down well with bishop Omagor who is questioning the motive of taxing churches.

Turning on the religious, bishop Omagor cautioned them against being lured into corrupt activities such as writing proposals that only benefit them, not the communities they purport to write for. (All Photos by Godfrey Ojore)

“Most of the people advocating for the taxing of churches have wrong motives. They have stolen and they want to secure more and steal,” Omagor said.

He noted that the tithes and offerors should not be touched stating that they belong to God.

“Well, they can tax church institutions such as clinics and bakeries but not tithe and offertories because that belongs to God,” Omagor said.

He made the remarks on Wednesday in Soroti city during the Teso regional validation meeting of the draft religious and faith organisation (RFOS) policy in Uganda.

Turning on the religious, bishop Omagor cautioned them against being lured into corrupt activities such as writing proposals that only benefit them, not the communities they purport to write for.

“Whatever level God lifts you, remain humble. Let us be real not like Juda who was not,” Omagor said.

“However, spiritual you become; you will not understand everything. Some pastors say that they are next to Jesus Christ whereas not,” Omagor observed as he encouraged the religious to be exemplary in serving the people of God.