By: Melanie Aanyu

Proprietors of private schools across the country have rejected a new directive by the government mandating all schools to buy their school merchandise from registered suppliers possessing Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Uganda Revenue Authority.

The acting chairperson of the Proprietors of Private Educational Institutions’ Association in Uganda (PPEIAU), Mr Christopher Kaweesa, said registered suppliers charge high fees, yet schools are struggling to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said they can only afford to negotiate better prices when they buy directly from the farmers.

Mr Kaweesa made the remarks during a meeting between proprietors of private schools across the country and officials from URA on tax obligation for private schools at URA offices in Nakawa yesterday.

TINs are identifying numbers allocated by URA to prospective taxi payers to enable them to meet their tax obligation.

The assistant commissioner of public and corporate affairs at URA, Mr Ibrahim Bbosa, said the move is meant to benefit schools, especially those acting as VAT collection agents.