BY SAMUEL NABWIISO
KAMPALA, Uganda-The Chancellor, Uganda Christian University, Rev Stanly Ntgali has asked government to scrap income tax which government levies to non –profit education institutions in the country.
Speaking at the University’s 19th graduation ceremony held at the main campus in Mukono , Ntagali said levying tax on education institutions negatively impacts the institution because all the funds which the university could have used to invest towards the development infrastructure ends up ingovernment coffers .
“Universities are not profit making institutions; government should stop taxing them for the good of education service development in the country. When you levy tax on a university, the overall burden is passed on to parents and that is why in Uganda, education is becoming too expensive because of government policies, “said Ntgali.
He explained that when professor Ezra Suruma was the Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development, he had a clear understanding of higher education as a service and he removed the Income Tax levy from private education institutions , Unfortunately, the wise ruling was reversed by his successor in 2014.
At the same occasion the chancellor applauded the University Administration for coming up with courses that aim at transforming society.
“For Uganda to develop, the country needs human resources with quality skills and Knowledge which can be applied to solve problems that most communities are faced with and the only place where the population can acquire such skills is the universities like UCU” He said.
In that regard, a total of 1,024 students graduated at Uganda Christian University (UCU) main campus in Mukono. Of those, 554 (54%) were females and 470 (46%) were males.
Thirty one (31) students graduated with first (1st) class degrees at the University’s 19th graduation ceremony and at the same function, UCU issued out its first PhD, one of the kind in the history of this Mukono based campus.
Addressing grandaunts, the University Vice chancellor Rev.Can Dr .John Senyonyi advised the fresh graduates not to despise any employment opportunities which they come across from both public and private sector.
“Do not despise any kind of work, any job you are given is an opportunity for growth, even if it’s on a volunteer basis and when you find gainful work, avoid rushing to drain your first pay on Luxuries : some of you take out a loan on their first salary to buy a car which is wrong” He advised Graduates
During the occasion the vice chancellor also disclosed to the parents that the University will be launching more programs in this academic year 2018/2019. Some of the new courses to unveiled include among others; Bachelors of Medicine and surgery which will be officially launched on the 14th of September 2018 at the school of medicine.
Professor Ezra Suruma cautioned Ugandan Universities to teach courses that relevant to Uganda’s economy.
