OPINION | Bwanika Mastula | In fiscal policy, systematic indexation of individual tax brackets is crucial for equity and economic stability. As nations grapple with complex taxation systems, regular adjustments to tax brackets in response to inflation and economic shifts are increasingly necessary. A tax band, or tax bracket, is a range of income levels subject to a specific tax rate. Indexation adjusts economic variables like salaries, taxes, interest rates, and government benefits to reflect changes in the cost of living, inflation rates, or other economic indicators. The primary goal of indexation is to preserve the purchasing power of money over time, ensuring that income, savings, and investments do not lose value in real terms due to inflation. This article highlights the need to regularly review tax bands considering changing economic conditions through indexation. The Current State of Tax Bands in Uganda The last indexation of tax bands in Uganda was in...

A section of National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Bugisu Sub-region has threatened to vote out Mike Mukula, the party’s National Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, citing neglect and unfulfilled promises. Gerald Simbatta, the NRM Publicity Secretary for Sironko District, accused Mukula of ignoring local party leaders and only engaging with them during election periods. Simbatta expressed regret over supporting Mukula for the position, which also secures him a seat on the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC). He added that with elections for party structures approaching, they are considering backing another candidate for the position. Ambassador Charles Walimbwa Peke, NRM Chairperson for Manafwa District, echoed the concerns, saying Mukula’s failure to visit and address challenges in the region is disappointing. Walimbwa emphasized that frequent engagement with local party structures is crucial for resolving issues and reinforcing party strength. In response, Mike Mukula defended his record, attributing the lack of regional...

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Dr. Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has commended Uganda’s preparations for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to take place from February 1 to 24, 2025. Motsepe uttered his favourable assessment during a brief media interaction on Friday evening after inspecting Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) and its training ground. The visit was part of his tour of East African countries—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—to assess their readiness for the CHAN tournament. He noted that CAF inspectors stationed in Uganda had been providing regular updates on the progress, and praised the excellent condition of Namboole Stadium and its training facilities, expressing optimism that Uganda’s efforts would ensure CHAN 2025 becomes one of the most successful editions ever. Beyond the sporting aspect, Dr. Motsepe noted the broader impact of hosting CHAN by bringing people together, thus contributing to social and economic development in...

Kampala, Uganda – December 18th, 2024: Ugandan teenagers from the African School of Innovations Science and Technology, the organization that runs the Young Engineers STEM program in Uganda have emerged champions at the EnjoyAI 2024 Global Final in Shanghai, China. This remarkable victory marks a significant milestone for Uganda, solidifying its position as a rising star in the global AI and robotics landscape. Young Engineers Uganda is a STEM Education programme operated by the African School of Innovations Science and Technology (ASIST) limited. The Young Engineers Uganda team, comprising 10 young innovators, departed for Shanghai, China, on December 12, 2024, to represent Uganda in the EnjoyAI Competition 2024. The team was led by Ms. Maureen Ayebare Karamagi, CEO of African School of Innovations Science and Technology (ASIST) Ltd/Young Engineers Uganda. The EnjoyAI Competition, a global and yearly event, brings together talented individuals from around the world to demonstrate their AI skills and collaborate on innovative...

KIGALI | Xinhua | Rwanda on Friday announced the end of the Marburg virus disease outbreak, initially declared on Sept. 27. The announcement, by Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana at a press conference in the capital, Kigali, follows 42 consecutive days with no new cases after the discharge of the last confirmed patient, meeting World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Rwanda recorded its last confirmed case on Oct. 30 and its last Marburg-related death on Oct. 14. “This is an important milestone for Rwanda’s public health system. While we mourn the lives lost, we are encouraged by the progress made,” Nsanzimana said. “We have reached this point because of the dedication of our healthcare workers, the government, and our partners, whose seamless collaboration and swift, coordinated action made it possible to contain the outbreak effectively,” he said. “We have successfully identified the virus’s zoonotic origin, and we continue to strengthen our...

Last month, this publication published a story where a whistle-blower petitioned concerned authorities to look into lending/ business practices at Platinum Credit Uganda Limited which they say warrant an investigation. One of the issues the whistle-blower raised was contract transparency. It is alleged that loan agreements contain clauses that may not meet full disclosure requirements. It was further alleged that critical terms regarding property seizure appear to be obscured within complex documentation. When it comes to Loan Term Enforcement, the whistle-blower report in our possession alleged that properties are being seized before stated loan terms expire. That borrowers have continued to report inconsistent application of contract terms. “We please request your investigative team to: Review Platinum’s lending documentation and practices, investigate compliance with mortgage lending regulations, examine property seizure procedures and consider establishing a channel for affected borrowers to report experiences,” the whistle-blower prays. Platinum Credit Uganda Limited did not...