The business community in Fort Portal Tourism City and Kasese district, are calling on the government to sensitize traders on taxable commodities to avoid conflicts with tax collectors.
The traders noted that the Uganda Revenue Authority has been collecting unclear taxes from small businesses, and they need clear information about payable taxes.
The call came during the on-going national dialogue meetings organized by the Uganda National Traders’ Alliance’, which started in the Rwenzori region.
Traders in Fort Portal and Kasese called for more tax sensitization, citing a lack of knowledge about the taxes they pay.
Godfrey Katongole, the chairperson, Uganda National Traders Alliance-UNATA says URA cannot only come to collect taxes from people who are not sensitized on the kind of taxes they are supposed to pay and why they have to pay them.
Meanwhile, Katongole urged traders in Rwenzori to limit their involvement in politics and focus on growing their businesses. He noted the need to support leaders who will support the development of local businesses.
UNATA Executive Director Kwebiha Muzamil urged the Uganda Revenue Authority and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau to continuously sensitize traders on tax compliance and business registration procedures to eliminate conflicts.
He asked government to support trader’s associations in shaping policies that facilitate national growth.
Musa Atooki, the chairperson for Fort Portal City Smart Traders Association-FOSCSTA, is asking government to establish a tourism hub in fort portal to strengthen the City’s position as a top destination. Such he says would even broaden the government tax base.
Mwanguhya Kadama a businessman in Fort Portal noted the need to separate business from politics accusing politicians of overtime neglecting the issues of the business community in Uganda.
In July 2024, the Unata leadership met President Museveni, who directed them to tour the country and identify the challenges faced by traders.