By Kamugisha Kabahweza Allan
Uganda Revenue Authority has engaged boda boda operators on their rights and obligations to contribute to nation building by paying advance income tax.
Isaac Aijuka, the Ag. Supervisor Tax Education Outreach South Western Region engaged and sensitized boda boda riders at their different stages, educating them about advance income tax for transport services.
“Motor vehicles and motorcycles involved in transportation services are required by law to pay advance income tax according to the people they carry and or the tonnage they carry,” Aijuka educated, adding that motor vehicles and boda bodas pay UGX 20,000 shillings per seat per year while trucks pay UGX 50,000 shillings per tonne per year.
He explained that it is a civic obligation for each income earner to contribute to the development of Uganda, saying, “Uganda no longer receives as much donor fund contributions to our budget and government has no physical business from which to get money to build this country. It’s you and I to contribute our fair share of taxes to government.”
Aijuka implored boda bodas to pay their fair share of taxes to enable government build more roads, health centres, schools and provide piped water and electricity to all areas in the country.
Earlier in Kisoro, Ivan Seezi Kamukama, Team lead on Tujenge Bus had also called upon boda boda riders in Kisoro District to pay advance income tax. However, boda boda operators expressed dissatisfaction on how taxes are used.
Nsabimana Nicholas noted that taxes are being misused by some people in government and not helping the local person.
In that regards, Kamukama from the Tax Education Division advised boda boda riders to pay their taxes and demand for accountability.
“Its our civic duty to pay taxes and demand for accountability through our representatives. The misuse of taxes does not eliminate the right and obligation to pay taxes,” said Kamukama.
He noted that for Uganda to become economically independent, there is need to expand the taxpayer register by including boda boda riders.
