Religious leaders Criticize Infamous Income Tax Amendment Bill

Religious leaders under a group “Religious Leaders’ Justice and Peace Network (JupNet)” have strongly criticized the move by members of parliament to have their allowances exempted from any taxes.

The development follows a public outcry that MPs no longer want to pay taxes that at this rate would cost the country a whopping 45 Billion shillings.

This morning, Rev. Fr. Cyprian Masembe told the press at Christ The King Church in Kampala, that as religious leaders, they find the act by MPs to amend the law on a matter before Court prejudicial, legally untenable and an abuse of their legislative mandate.

“Barely have the wounds and tears of the vast majority of Ugandan people dried, the Members of Parliament are already gorging themselves at the trough of our already cash-strapped resource envelope. Exempting MPs from taxes on their emoluments would leave a gap at least 41.8bn annually that will severely impact on already dismal service delivery situation in country,” argued Fr. Masembe.

He adds that Mps cannot purport to discuss and even appropriate a National Budget to which they do not contribute, like other citizens.

Yesterday, some greedy and broke legislators threatened not to discus and pass the 2016/2017 financial year national budget unless the president assents to the shameless bill.

They now appeal that;

“In the current circumstances of post-election stalemate and escalating violence, and for the good of the country, we implore Gen. Yoweri Museveni to consider immediately and as a matter of priority the convening of a National dialogue that will chat the path for a political settlement for sustainable peace, justice and national reconciliation.”

Father Masembe also said; “We appeal to the entire country and in particular political actors across the political divide to advocate, participate in and support all initiatives towards making national dialogue possible.”