By Jumah Kakomo
Recently, the parliament of the republic of Uganda approved the national budget of 2024/2025, of Ugx 72 trillion to run the country’s economy which means there is an increment of Ugx 20 trillion compared to 2023/2024 national budget of Ugx 52 trillion.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday at party headquarters Kampala, the party spokesperson Arach Oyat Sharon revealed that the budget is unrealistic to ordinary Ugandans as it also comes up with additional taxes to various essential goods such as fuel, water, construction materials among others.
She highlights that traders across the country have been crying due to the introduction of the EFRIS system to collect VAT, which they assert is not friendly adding that many businesses are likely to collapse due to huge and various taxes levied on them.
Sharon further advised the government to also prioritize local investors by giving them privileges; tax holidays as it applies to foreign investors to enable them sustain their businesses.
Among the Ugx72 trillion of the national budget of 2024/2024, Uganda revenue Authority (URA) is tasked to collect Ugx25 trillion which Sharon says is a huge amount of money to meet because currently, the economy is not doing well.
Meanwhile the head of media and communications of the party Faizo Muzeyi congratulated the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba and Deputy IGP James Ochaya upon their appointments with the great wealth of knowledge and experience which they have both gained as career police officers saying UPC is hopeful that they will serve Uganda expectedly.
He adds that the security situation in the country is of paramount importance.
”Of late, we are seeing some crime gangs robbing people in a gruesome manner. This situation has to be contained. A well organized and facilitated police force working hand in hand with communities should be in position to detect crime and apprehend suspects. Cybercrime is also on the increase. We need more investment in cybercrime investigations as the country enters a total digital age. Keeping an eye on emerging cases of terrorism at home and in the region of East Africa is long overdue. This requires upgrading police’s skills in counter-terrorism as terrorists are very much elusive,” Faizo stated.
He says that UPC wishes the newly appointed members of the Police Force a good starting point that ought to take into consideration in the ongoing electoral cycle.
“The Party calls for cooperation of all stakeholders if we are to have peaceful campaigns and elections,”Faizo said.
