Jinja traders demand tax clarity, affordable credit
She also called on the government to consider granting tax holidays for local traders, noting that international investors often enjoy such incentives.
Jinja: Traders from Jinja City and the Busoga region have voiced multiple concerns affecting their businesses during a meeting organized by the Uganda National Traders Alliance (UNATA) held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at Madhvani Hall, Jinja City.
The traders highlighted challenges including unclear tax procedures by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), high interest rates from microfinance institutions, and the need for a traders’ SACCO (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization) to ease access to affordable financing.
Traders dealing in shoes, tomatoes, spare parts, and clothing, expressed confusion over how URA allocates taxes, noting that there is little to no sensitization on tax procedures. “URA has no clear formula. Internally, they only focus on meeting targets,” they said. The traders requested URA to regularly educate them on tax policies and involve local leaders during assessments.
Another pressing issue raised was the increase in taxes on loading and offloading activities. Mupela Asuman, a member of the Taxi and Pick-up Owners’ Association, called on authorities not to implement tax enforcement only during political seasons but consistently for the good of the business community. He also pointed out the lack of gazetted parking and loading zones for lorries in Jinja, adding that the city’s planning department has neglected their needs.
Traders further complained about the removal of business display and directional billboards, despite paying advertising fees to the city council. They also called on the government to reduce bank interest rates, which they say are crippling local businesses.
Deputy Mayor of Jinja Southern Division, Maria Kasasa, while opening the event, urged traders to be proactive in seeking information about taxes instead of remaining silent and then resisting payment. She advised them against relying on politicians to resolve tax issues and encouraged them to participate in trade meetings. She also called on the government to consider granting tax holidays for local traders, noting that international investors often enjoy such incentives.
Mukhairwe Steven, Chairperson of the Jinja City Traders’ Association, encouraged traders to be confident and open about their business challenges. He noted that although the attendance seemed small, the digital age allows for widespread information sharing.
Mukhairwe emphasized the importance of having a unified voice through SACCOs and said they are working towards establishing a traders’ SACCO that will unite traders across regions.
Town Clerk of Jinja City, Mr. Edward Lwanga, thanked the traders for their resilience and participation. He quoted, “Few people discuss; many argue,” urging leaders to focus on development. He praised traders for their patience and called on them to embrace a savings culture and focus more on trade issues rather than insecurity.
Francis Ensudu, UNATA’s National Secretary for Publicity, revealed that although President Museveni was invited to a previous meeting in November 2024, he sent the Minister for Trade in his place. He highlighted several concerns, including high taxes, financial illiteracy, and the presence of fraudulent investors. He also criticized political leaders who misuse government programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM).
UNATA President Godfrey Katongole stated that the alliance has so far held meetings in 10 towns, collecting data on the challenges traders face. He emphasized that URA lacks adequate sensitization programs and thanked traders in Jinja and Masaka for standing firm during the eFRIS-related protests.
He also disclosed that a formal report on regional challenges will be presented to the President, and 10 representatives will be selected to represent each region.
Katongole said that the President has pledged to invest in traders’ SACCOs using State House funds. He assured traders that a national SACCO is in the works, and regional SACCOs will be affiliated with it.
He raised concerns over URA’s plan to abolish groupage (consolidated imports), saying traders will not accept it unless fair policies are established. He also cited poor roads such as the Kasese–Mpodwe and Mityana–Fort Portal roads as a major hindrance to business.
Kasozi Michael Basalirwa, Deputy RCC for Jinja Southern Division, encouraged the business community to support existing trade associations rather than opposing them. He promised to work with URA on market sensitization and urged traders to participate in political processes to influence favorable legislation.
He also called on UNATA to establish SACCOs to reduce reliance on high-interest loans. Addressing the misuse of government funds like Emyooga, he warned that accountability would be enforced moving forward.
“Seniority is not maturity—that’s stupidity. Be creative, plan well for development, and give others space to grow,” Kasozi concluded, commending the traders for their courage and resilience.
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