The International Rescue Committee wants the Government of Uganda to consider offering tax holidays and waivers on businesses owned by refugees to allow them to boost their livelihoods.
Their plea comes at a time when refugees are struggling to survive by the tax regime, especially those who are doing business in the host communities. But the commissioner for refugees in the office of the Prime Minister David Kazungu says the Government is committed to supporting refugees.
Uganda is home to over 1.4 million refugees. But as the refugee population, many are struggling to make ends meet, while a few have benefited from the land offered by the government.
As a result, many have abandoned the refugee life, and opted to start businesses in town while some have hit the streets in search for employment.
“Devota Nuwe, the head of programs at the Refugee Law Project wants the Government giving refugees who have demonstrated business prowess tax waivers.”
We want the government to communicate the different taxes or even have tax holidays for refugees, and also we wish that some of the fees that are being paid can be waivered
Francis Lodi the chairman South Sudanese community in Uganda says their situation is wanting thus asking the government to support them financially to boost their businesses.
With continued challenges that refugees face in Kampala, the civil society organization in consortium that advocates for rights of refugees led by the International Refugee Community have launched a five year rebuilding project aimed at training refugees and host communities with vocational skills.
