Government asked to scrap tax on education, medical aid

Oct 03, 2017

The Lango Community Living in North America, said too much tax levied on importation of equipment they send to health facilities and schools in Lango have retarded their energy to supplement government efforts.

Lango Community living in North America (LCONA) has urged the Government to scrap taxes imposed on health and medical equipment they import into the country.

In their recent Annual General Convention that was attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, and three other MPs including Felix Okot Ogong, Tony Ayo and Paul Amour, they said too much tax levied on importation of equipment they send to health facilities and schools in Lango have retarded their energy to supplement government efforts.

"We have a target to supply medical and education equipment to most health centres in Lango by the end of this year but we want government to give us tax exemption on importation of those things," Betty Odero, the board chairperson of LCONA, said.

Odero added that their community in North America has already started mobilising for those medical and education equipment that will go to health centres and schools in Lango sub-region.

She said some of the health equipment they source from America are of high standard and could be of great help if sent to rural health centres that are accessed mostly by poor people.

Jacob Oulanyah assured LCONA members that he would get in touch with the relevant authority in government to ensure that whatever they send home as aid is exempted from taxation.

"Do not be discouraged to send help to our people at home because they rely on your support. For the case of taxation on health and education aid, we will explain to the relevant authority, so they are not taxed," Oulanyah said.

He said some of the associations of Ugandans living abroad are no longer being taxed on importation of facilities and equipment for humanitarian intervention.

Felix Okot Ogong, the chairperson fo Lango Parliamentary Group, urged Langi in America to unite under LCONA and focus on developing  Lango and Uganda at large.

"You should get together and have only one association for our people from Lango who are living in this part of the world. I would like to remind you of our Lango slogan - Unity is Strength," Okot said.

 

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