By Abdullah Rabiiba
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have appealed for tax incentives for PWD-led businesses and reduced costs for assistive devices. Mathew Omara, Chairman of the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU), made the appeal during an engagement organized by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in Lira on Monday.
“We ask the government to lower or remove taxes on assistive devices like crutches and hearing aids,” Omara said. “These are essentials, not luxuries, yet they remain heavily taxed and unaffordable.”
Participants were also educated on their rights and encouraged to formalize their businesses for easier tax compliance.
Andrew Kyakonye from URA’s Tax Education division explained that obtaining a TIN, registering a business, and using digital platforms enhances legitimacy, opening doors to financing and government programs.
Kyakonye emphasized that tax compliance is a shared responsibility, vital for economic growth and national development. He highlighted URA’s efforts to improve service accessibility via toll-free lines and the website.
Omara praised the initiative, calling it transformative: “This was the first time we have received tailored, clear information about taxes. We’ve felt overlooked, but today, we feel seen and included.”
This outreach aims to expand the tax base and promote voluntary compliance across Uganda.
