ToroDev in partnership with the local FM radio stations conduct live radio discussions to share outcomes on improving essential service delivery focusing on rule of law, multiparty democracy, accountability and transparency of public resources allocation processes at national level. This further improves grassroots’ understanding of democracy, accountability and transparency to ensure that local citizens are well prepared and competent to actively engage their elected leaders.
On 7th/ 10/2018 the live discussions on Jubilee radio was about “Mobile Money Tax”.
“Parliament has approved the Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2018 effectively reducing the mobile money transaction tax from 1 to 0.5 per cent. MPs voted the bill on 2nd October 2018”. Said Wilfred Mukonyezi the Moderator of the Talkshow.
Wilfred further added that before the amendment, the bill that came into effect this year, received countrywide condemnation, putting several transaction agents out of business after customers abandoned the popular and convenient payment method. This forced President Museveni to task Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda to table an amendment to the bill that would reduce the tax from 1 per cent on all mobile money transactions to 0.5 per cent.
During the two hours live discussion Mr Mpoza Moses and Kiwalabye Kulaisi the concerned citizens and human rights defenders were hosted to share more about the Mobile money tax.
“On the day of voting One hundred and sixty four (164) MPs voted in favour of the tax against 124. A total of 288 out of the 458 MPs in the tenth parliament participated in the vote. Mobile money is one of the quicker and convenient ways of sending and receiving money in every corner of Uganda. However Ugandan MPs hate seeing the poor happy all they want is to see citizens suffering as they enjoy their luxury life”. Said Mr Mpoza Moses during the radio talkshow.
Moses added I appreciate the MPs who voted in favour of citizens to scrap off the tax. From this we learn a lesson that Ugandans should vote wisely next time. Some MPs are in Parliament to get much salary and provide wealth for themselves and families. Many do not have a heart for the voters who sent them to parliament to represent them. That is why every bill that comes on table is passed and they are awarded.
“I cite the absence of equity, discrimination and lack of a clear collection mechanism. I don’t know where the money collected will go?, Who will account for it?, Will it help to provide better services to the tax payers or MPs will use it to have more luxury life?. The responsible ministry should have clear accountability on a quarterly basis to tell us where this money is”. Said Kulaisi during the radio discussion.
He further added the proposed tax on mobile money will cause financial exclusion as most of the people will opt out of the payment. Citizens are crying and feel cheated and many have proposed that the tax should be dropped. Everything in Uganda is taxed, Sugar, soap, salt, bread and many others. We pay tax indirectly but we still have poor services in most sectors of health, education, roads etc, where does the money of tax payers go?.
Listeners were given time to also contribute their ideas through phone calls and SMS and this is what they said;
“As it has become almost a norm for MPs to pass controversial bills. To me I think many are paid to pass these bills and for us the poor ones we suffer due to the greedy MPs”, said Amooti from Kamwenge
“Paying taxes wouldn’t be bad but where does the money go?, we don’t have drugs in health centres, USE and UPE system are the worst, we pay tax but we don’t enjoy good services”, Said Patrick , a caller from Kabarole District
“The Mobile tax should be scrapped off, because poor people are being cheated, this money will not help us but will help individuals to get richer”, commented Moses from Ntoroko
Conclusively, ToroDev empowers communities with knowledge and leadership skills through appropriate ICT tools for improved service delivery in education health and economic Development
We are grateful to our partners for the financial and technical support.
