Politics 30 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Museveni's Tax Exemption Proposal for Scientists Sparks Debate in Uganda
President Museveni has proposed exempting scientists, doctors, and engineers from PAYE tax, comparing them to soldiers and police, amid the launch of a homegrown anti-tick vaccine. The idea has drawn support from medical professionals but criticism over fairness to lower-paid sectors like arts teachers. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/museveni-s-proposal-on-scrapping-paye-for-scientists-attracts-mixed-reactions--5442536
President Yoweri Museveni suggested scrapping Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax for scientists, doctors, and engineers during the launch of Narovac, Uganda’s first locally developed anti-tick vaccine, at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) in Wakiso.
He argued that high taxes undermine recent salary hikes for these professionals, who play a vital role in national development similar to security forces. ‘They are not many… What if we treat them as soldiers and say tax exemption,’ Museveni stated, vowing to push the idea in the new government.
The proposal has elicited mixed responses. Dr Mark Muyanga of the Uganda Medical Association praised it as recognition of essential services and called for additional perks like duty-free vehicle imports. However, teachers’ union leader Filbert Baguma warned against blanket exemptions, saying they could demoralize non-performing workers and discriminate against others.
Tensions are high in education after science teachers received raises to Shs4 million monthly, far above arts teachers’ Shs800,000, fueling protests. Museveni highlighted scientists’ scarcity—NARO employs just 700—and their economic impact over social sciences.
Narovac, over 93% effective against major tick species, promises to protect Uganda’s 16 million livestock and boost exports. NARO’s Dr Yona Baguma hailed it as a step toward self-reliant vaccine production in Africa.
Health sector leaders, including Minister Jane Ruth Aceng, noted staffing shortages despite pay improvements, urging better absorption of specialists to ease workloads at facilities like Uganda Cancer Institute.
This story is based on a report from Daily Monitor (Uganda).