Bbaale Constituency MP, Charles Tebandeke Advocates for Reduction of Taxes on Fish Products

Fish Maws and Traders Association Uganda limited have complained to the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Livestock about the challenges they are facing in doing their job including taxes which have left them in debt.

They said this while appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Livestock chaired by the MP for Abim district Okori Moe Janet Grace. 

It is to be recalled that in July this year, Speaker Anita Annet Among after receiving a letter of complaint from the traders, She decided to refer the matter to the committee for their challenges to be addressed.

They were led by the chairman of the Association Justine Ssennungi who said the 8% tax per kilogram of imported salmon is very high compared to other East African countries.

The traders also said that the import duty on maws is also high and the concessions charged are too high including the cost of inspection of the maws from the UNBS which they blame for the slow speed in inspecting which causes their goods to spoil

Secretary of the Association Musana Simon said the forces deployed on the water to enforce the law have tortured them too much and some of them have died

Bbaale MP Charles Tebandeke wants the tax on imported fish to be abolished as it is not stipulated in the new Fisheries and Aquaculture Act.

“I have seen the petitioners pleading to a reduction on import duty, a reduction on export duty then the withholding tax as if this is an abuse to the principles of taxation and it is an implementation of double taxation which is contrary to the law.
I pray that this honorable saved these petitioners and stakeholders particularly by waving off import tax because it’s not even captured in law.” Says Hon. Charles Tebandeke, MP Bbaale Constituency.

The committee chairperson Okoli moe Janet Grace said they will continue to meet with people and relevant agencies to ensure that the problems of these people are resolved.