Opinion: URA is striking at the taxes of opposition candidates ahead of 2021

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner General Doris Akol has today stated that she intends to get every single candidate standing for elections in the 2021 General Elections to get a “Tax Clearance Certificate”. However, that is not implemented in any law nor regulation at this point. The Electoral Commission hasn’t said this is needed, as there is no protocol nor law assisting that.

That is unless, the Presidential Elections Act is revised before the election or is amended in time. However, the Presidential Election Act, Fourth Scheduled in the Annex of the law states this:

“6.* (a) I have paid all taxes due from me; or

(b) I have made arrangements satisfactory to the appropriate

authority for the payment of my taxes. *(delete where inapplicable)”

(…)

“*A commissioner for oaths, magistrate, registrar of the High Court (including deputy and district registrar) or other person authorised by law to administer oaths” (Presidential Election Act, 2000).

The other laws for candidates is to either not being detained for 9 months before the next election. Also, the proof that the person has not been bankrupt. As the candidate has to pay fees to stand as a candidate, which a price that varies on the various candidacies for a individual of a sound mind and being a Ugandan national.

Therefore, the URA could, if they may, be presiding officers, which preside over the oath and have commissioners that administer these oaths. That would be fair to the candidates, as there is no mention of certificates, neither in the Parliamentary Elections Act nor the Presidential Election Act. We can without further judgment …. say its not in the 1995 Constitution, as this is a made up ordeal of the URA Commissioner General Akol.

This is a clear target at opposition MPs, Presidential Candidates and whatnot. To make life harder for them and their candidacies. As they have to suddenly make moves to contact URA and then look over their taxes. This is giving way to the URA to even stop someone from standing, especially if they are finding discrepancies from the candidate.

So, will the Electoral Commission asks for oaths and who will be authorised to administer these oats within the Electoral Road Map of 2021? That should be put in print and they should start moving. Because, there is no mention of a certificate for it. That is a made up regulation, that only fits the mind of Akol.

As long as there is no legal text, no legal bound for the action made, the candidates should necessarily go through this. Unless, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire is writing a new amendment as we speak and wanting it rubber-stamped before dawn. Peace.

Opinion: OTT Tax on Data Bundles is like a dual-VAT

“URA Commissioner General Doris Akol told the Finance Committee of Parliament chaired by Henry Musasizi that the controversial OTT Tax will be charged directly on data instead of mobile money to curb the evasion” (NBS Television, 14.01.2020).

I wonder if Doris Akol has thought this through or is winging it? As she see the losses and lack of results, revenue or tax base with the 200 shillings of doom. The whole OTT Tax is to expensive for the public daily. Now, she wants to move it and indirectly tax it instead.

Surely, they will get revenue, but this will make it more expensive to buy data-bundles for the customers and make the packages more viable. VPN and similar networks to circumvent the usage and payments of the daily OTT Tax have beaten the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). That is why URA does this now.

It is a sign of defiance and civil disobedience. They are trying to patch the hurt. But will this succeed? Will more try to only load data through Wi-Fi networks and wireless networks in general. Not load so much data on the go. Because, people are smart and tries to undercut extra taxes. Especially, when on the data is already paid VAT and the Mobile Company pay their taxes on the profits too.

Therefore, URA and Akol seems fishing. They will raise revenue, but also make the data bundles more expensive and with that stop plenty of people from buying bigger data bundles for surfing online on your smart-phone.

That is just the mere reality. It is a sign, yet again that the OTT is a failed project, who didn’t hit the targets and wasn’t measured right. If it was, the aim and the bargain wouldn’t be like this. That is not happening.

This method is a clever way of adding the costs of data, while charging for service not necessarily used. The OTT Services, which is the reason for why these are charged. Because, the data could be used for other things and therefore, is violating its attempt to make it costly for certain usage on online.

This is again, pushing one story, pushing one tax and trying to tax the public by any means. When the hook doesn’t work, they use the crook. Instead of doing directly, they want to do it indirectly and initially in some way adding a separate VAT on data-bundles masked as OTT Tax. That is really it.

We all know this, URA verify it today. That the only things certain in life is death and taxes. Thanks Akol for reminding us. Peace.

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