_____________

KAMPALA - When the Government is initiating new taxes, it should involve taxpayers who suffer the consequences of the annual national budget increase, Uganda People Congress president James Akena has said.

Akena says the national budget should be centered on the population's needs so that they can feel the benefits from the collected tax.

He made the remarks while addressing the media at the party headquarters in Kampala on April 17, 2024, in regard to the ongoing strike by the business community over new taxes.

“The Government is struggling with the economy, which is why it initiated new tax policies and programmes to collect about shillings 31.5 trillion for the financial years 2024/ 2025. The taxpayers hope for good service delivery in return but this is not the case,” he said.

Akena added that in 2018 the Government imposed an Over-the-Top tax (OTT) on data which was very unfair and a hindrance to the growth of the digital economy which tax was later abandoned by the Government. We similarly share the same sentiment with the business community on strike.

He said it is a bad idea to collect tax while over-stretching the taxpayers.

He urged the Uganda Revenue Authority to sensitise the public on the Electronic physical receipt and invoicing solution (EFRIS) system to avoid a fight with the business community.

“We have a narrow tax base burdened by high government expenditures. As UPC, we feel we should reduce government spending and focus more on the local people’s needs,” Akena said.

According to UPC, the Government should reduce 'malicious expenditures and stop the attitude of owning 'taxpayers' money'.

He explained that the Government does not have money unless taxes are collected, so citizens should know that the government uses their money which should be used equitably.

Tribute to Aliker

He also paid tribute to Dr. Martin Aliker who was the best man at his late father, Milton Obote’s wedding in 1963.

Akena said Aliker's contribution to Uganda's economy cuts across and that finding such people who leave a mark even when they have departed is hard.

According to him, Aliker played a key role in building peace in northern Uganda.