Traders in Kitgum Municipality have been urged to equip themselves with knowledge on taxation procedures during a one-year suspension of newly proposed rates, following a dispute between the business community and municipal authorities.
The call follows a temporary resolution in which municipal authorities on Tuesday agreed to suspend new tax rates on trading licences, signage, garbage management, and local service tax until 2027, reverting to the old rates for the current year.
Prof. Ogenga Otunnu, an advisor to Gen. Salim Saleh says the grace period should be used to understand how the tax system works and prepare for a more structured and lawful regime.
Prof. Otunnu, who was called by traders in last week’s tax dispute, notes that while traders are willing to contribute to government revenue and socio-economic transformation, excessive or irregular taxation risks pushing them out of business.
He also calls on municipal leaders to take responsibility for procedural failures, urging the mayor and town clerk to publicly apologise to traders and rebuild confidence.
Marino Ongee Lol, a former Town Clerk of Agago Town Council and now a dealer in agricultural produce and inputs, advises traders to take advantage of the suspension period to understand the legal framework governing taxation.
Meanwhile, Godfrey Toolit, the Central Division LC III chairperson appeals to traders to comply with the current arrangement and begin preparing for future changes.
By URN
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