Uganda’s tax body, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has revealed that taxes on the Holy books have been scrapped.
The revelation was made by Vincent Seruma, the authority’s Assistant Commissioner Public and Corporate Affairs at the URA Headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday morning.
“The taxes on Bibles and Qurans have been scrapped. There was a misconception that the taxes were to be increased which was false,” Vincent who was flanked by his colleague Ian Rumanyika and Cyprian Chillanyang, the Assistant Commissioner, Busines Policy, said.
He was addressing the media on the upcoming Regional Budget Breakfast Engagement set for next Monday in the different regions in the country.
Last month, local media reported that URA had reversed a long-standing tradition and ordered religious groups to start paying taxes on Bibles, Korans, prayer and hymn books.
However, this was refuted by the URA Commissioner General, Doris Akol.
Speaking on the Budget Breakfast Engagement, Vincent said they hope to create awareness amongst the public about the new tax policies nad methods of administering the taxes.
“URA continues to pro-actively engage taxpayers under the Regional Budget Breakfast. This is in turn expected to foster tax compliance and reinforce a social contract with the public,” Vincent said.
He added, “As URA we recognise a great need for the public to appreciate both the Tax policy measures as well as the intended benefits and opportunities that exist on the expenditure side of the budget in order for them to fully participate in driving the economy.”
Africanna Hotel will host the Central region engagement, Jinja will be the host of the Eastern region dialogue while the western enagement will be held in Fort Portal. Tropical Suits Hotel in Arua will host the Nothern engagement.
The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Speaker of parliament are among the dignitaries exp[ected to participate in the engagement in Kampala and Jinja respectively.
