G/tax: Soroti Men Hide In Swamps

By Kenneth OtimSome residents in Soroti district have opted to live near swamps and landing sites along the Lake Kyoga shores for fear of paying graduated tax. The Soroti chief administrative officer, G.W Omuge, said recently, “some fishmongers in Kamda, Bugondo are hiding in swamps to avoid paying taxes.” He said residents feared to pay taxes although their income had greatly improved.He said revenue collection points would be put on viable roads in the district.“Without revenue collection, core funding by the Government will be impossible,” he said.Residents of Kadungulu sub-county early this year refused to pay graduated tax above sh3,000.Omuge said the sh3000 was to be those who earn up to sh288,0000 a year.Sub-county chiefs were urged to effectively and adequately collect graduated tax, produce tax and other taxes to enable the district achieve its planned targets.The sub-counties had earlier on, neglected collecting taxes because of the delay in paying their salary arrears. Omuge, while meeting sub-county chiefs, said Soroti district was the best in Teso region in implementing local government development programmes under the decentralisation system. Ends