Busiro voters demand tax relief as Nandala pledges clean city, better markets

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Voters in Busiro South have asked Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi to prioritise tax waivers if elected, arguing that high and multiple taxes are strangling small businesses and worsening an already high cost of living.

Campaigning in Busiro South on January 5, 2026, where he held four rallies in Bulaga, Kyengera, Kajjansi and Katabi trading centres after a two-day campaign trail in Kasese, Nandala said an FDC government would review and remove unnecessary taxes, particularly on start-ups, small enterprises and essential services, as part of a broader plan to ease the cost of living and stimulate economic activity.

“Taxes must be fair and must allow people to survive. Our approach is to grow the economy first, then collect reasonable taxes, not to tax people into poverty. The taxes levied now are way high for one to remain in business, I am a business person and I know what you go through,” Nandala said.

Residents told Nandala that heavy taxation has made it increasingly difficult to do business in Kampala, an area dominated by start-ups, youth, small traders and informal enterprises.

“The taxes are too many and too high. Even small businesses are struggling to survive because every little thing is taxed. We are not refusing to pay tax, but people are poor, and businesses are closing,” said Moses Kato at Bulaga Market in Busiro.

Nandala linked the tax burden to rising unemployment and low household incomes, saying relief for small businesses would allow traders to expand, employ others and increase purchasing power within communities.

Busiro voters also pressed Nandala on sanitation and markets, complaining that garbage and poor waste management have become a daily health threat.

“Busiro is becoming dirty every day. Garbage is everywhere along the roads, in drainage channels and near homes. When it rains, rubbish blocks water and causes flooding. A dirty city is a health risk,” said Sarah Nakanwagi, a resident of Bulenga.

“Life has become very hard. Prices of food, rent and transport keep going up, yet our incomes are very low. Many families are surviving day by day,” said Grace Namusoke, a vendor at Bulaga Market.

Nandala said an FDC government would strengthen urban sanitation through better waste collection, drainage maintenance and enforcement of public health standards, adding that clean cities are essential not only for appearance but also for disease prevention and dignity.

“A clean city attracts investment, protects health and improves the quality of life. We shall treat sanitation as a serious public service,” he said.

Market vendors also raised concerns about poor facilities, congestion and high fees in local markets. Nandala promised improved market infrastructure, better sanitation and fair charges to support traders, most of whom are women.

“Markets are centres of survival for families. We must and shall modernise them, keep them clean and stop overburdening vendors with fees,” he said.

Nandala said lowering the cost of living requires a combination of tax relief, affordable services, job creation and targeted government intervention.

“You cannot fight poverty by speeches,” he said. “You fight it by reducing the cost of essentials, supporting businesses and ensuring people earn enough to live with dignity.”

Nandala also pledged to slash the cost of internet services and expand digital access nationwide. He said an FDC government would reduce the cost of internet bandwidth from $35 to $25 per megabyte per second per month, a move he said would lower retail data prices.

“When bandwidth is expensive, everything that depends on it becomes expensive,” he said. Students cannot study online, hospitals cannot work efficiently, and young people cannot do business.”

He further pledged tax waivers on essential ICT devices such as smartphones, computers and tablets, arguing that taxes have made digital tools unaffordable for many Ugandans.

“You cannot talk about internet access when people cannot afford the devices to connect. We shall remove unnecessary taxes on ICT equipment and encourage local production so that devices become affordable.” Nandala said.

He said cheaper internet and devices would help young people access digital jobs, traders reach wider markets, and schools improve learning outcomes.

Nandala on Tuesday (January 6) took his presidential campaign trail to Rubaga and Kampala Central before he returns to eastern Uganda on Wednesday for the remainder of the campaign, with just nine days left for Ugandans to choose the next five-year electoral government.