Those taxing scientists should be imprisoned - Museveni

According to the President, there's no logic in taxing innovations when Uganda even gives tax holidays to products that are not a result of new ideas.

“Taxing innovations? Whoever taxes them should go to Luzira. Who is he? Why tax innovations? There's no logic because even when a product is not a result of innovation, we give tax a holiday of 10 years.” remarked the president.

“ Something already well known but you are putting it here in Uganda for the first time, we give you a tax holiday. Then how can someone tax a baby, when he has not been taxing adults? It is because you have not highlighted it. You bring it up, it will stop, that is why we created a Ministry of Science to specifically bring out these issues,” he said.

The President made the remarks today while officiating at the National Science Week at Kololo Independence Grounds. 

President Museveni was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni.

The National Science Week 2023 serves as a pivotal platform, strategically designed to showcase the milestones Uganda has achieved in the domains of science, technology, and innovation, not only on a national scale but also on the global stage.

President Museveni also reassured scientists of the government's support that is aimed at promoting innovations which in turn will help in transforming the country socially and economically.

“You know how we work, if we want to do something, we emphasise it ahead of all other things. Recently, we were able to put more than Shs1 Trillion into the Parish Development Model (PDM) program. Some years ago, when we were struggling with the road infrastructure, we were able to inject almost Shs5 Trillion year by year,” he said.

“So even here, this Shs 500 billion you are talking about is not a lot of money, we can put it. Instead of mourning and crying, bring the proposal, we shall put the money. We don't have a problem with this minimum funding you are talking about. The Government seed capital which was our recommendation can be provided through this annual allocation of this money,” he added.

The President further tasked the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations to bring on board the private sector so that they can contribute additional venture capital to the science sector. 

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Monica Musenero informed the President that the science, technology and innovation sector is a key driver of economic development.

She said it accounts for 50 percent of the national economic development and that any nation that does not figure out how to make science work for their economy, struggles to sustainably grow.

The event was also attended by the Minister of State for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye, the State House Comptroller, Ms. Jane Barekye, scientists, investors, among others.