Bishop asks government to abandon school taxation

Aug 05, 2014

Bishop Paul Ssemwogerere of Kasana-Luweero has asked the government to abandon the idea of taxing private schools saying it could cripple the future of education in the private sector

By Juliet Lukwago

Bishop Paul Ssemwogerere of Kasana-Luweero has asked the government to abandon the idea of taxing private schools saying it could cripple the future of education in the private sector
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Ssemwogerere said that it is the Government’s obligation to educate Ugandans and the private schools just come to assist it.

But, if the Government comes to tax them, it would incapacitate them from contributing tangibly to the education of Ugandans.

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Pupils of Mugwanya Preparatory School, Kabojja pose for a photo with Bishop Ssemwogerere on their confirmation day at the school chapel on Saturday August 1, 2014

He said presently there is competition between Government and private schools, which is healthy because it promotes the standards of education in Uganda.

The prelate further said that many prominent people have passed through private schools and are doing quite well, even more than those who went through Government schools.

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Bishop Paul Ssemwogerere confirms pupils of Mugwanya Preparatory School on Saturday, August, 2, 2014.  

In an interview with The New Vision on Saturday after administering the Sacrament of Confirmation on 429 pupils of Mugwanya Preparatory school Kabojja, in Wakiso district, the bishop said that if the Government implemented taxation of schools, it is the parents and their children to suffer.

Of the total number, 107 pupils received the Sacrament of Confirmation, 227 pupils made their Solemn Profession (first catechism instructions), 95 received their first communion.

Ssemwogerere urged the Government to come out and appreciate the good work the private schools are doing by contributing to the noble job in the education system of this country and stop its idea of taxing them.

“If the Government insists on taxing the private schools many of them will end up closing down because they are poor because they cannot afford to pay taxes,” he noted with concern.

He thanked the Brothers of Christians of Kisubi, who started Mugwanya Preparatory School as a nursery school and institutions like St Mary’s Colleges’ Savio Junior School, Kakooge Primary that feed many other secondary schools in the country. He hailed them for producing outstanding citizens in the country.

 

 

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