Canary Mugume Wonders Why Churches Aren’t Taxed Like Other Businesses

NBS TV news anchor Canary Mugume has come out to wonder why Churches aren’t taxed like any other businesses. This followed comedian, Patrick Salvador’s comments about URA.

Salvador came out and rallied other entertainers to speak about the unfair taxation by URA towards Alex Muhangi. Apparently, this forced Muhangi to end his weekly Comedy Store from UMA Multipurpose Hall.

Canary commended Salvador’s take adding that the same hall hosts weekly prayer meetings. These get huge numbers than Comedy Store but they are all tax exempt.

“Salvador’s boldness to speak out against @URAuganda’s unfair taxation is commendable. What @idringip forgot to add perhaps – is that the same platform (UMA hall) that used to host @AlexMuhangi’s comedy store hosts weekly prayer gatherings on Sundays whose numbers don’t know comedy store’s but they are all tax-exempt.”

Additionally, he said that unfair taxation is unleashed on all young and small businesses. This perhaps should open a broader conversation about equity. And for Ugandans to reflect on the implications of the fiscal policies on diverse facets of the social fabric.

Apparently, several churches especially those of born-again Christians have been turned into businesses by their pastors.

However, it’s very tricky to tax them since they aren’t registered as businesses. And what’s given there is termed as tithe and offering

Earlier this years, Uganda Revenue Authority made a move to tax churches. According to reports, this tax will be targeting mainly charity and other non-church activities being run by the churches.

The news quickly enflamed some of the leaders of the Born-Again faith who vowed to fight back. Pastor Joseph Serwadda, President of Born Again faith in Uganda revealed that he was approached by officials from URA about the matter.

He also says he called and held talks with John Rujoki, the Commissioner General URA who committed to initiating wider discussions.