After assessing the impact of COVID-19 to city businesses, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) cabinet has resolved to suspend Trade Licenses, Market Dues and Commercial User fees to allow business Community recover from the toxic effects of the pandemic.
The meeting that was Chaired by the Mayor Erias Lukwago today arrived to a conclusion after a thorough assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related effects. The Mayor said that KCCA cannot meet their budgetary projections due to the pandemic.
“It’s no longer viable to meet the KCCA Budgetary projections. The total KCCA Budget is Shs521Billion and out of the same, approximately Shs100Billion is expected to be generated from Local Revenue. Apparently, many city businesses need a jerk start and it may not be proper for KCCA to impose taxes during a time when these are struggling,” Lukwago said.
The cabinet resolved to suspend trade licenses, market dues, and commercial user fees up to 31st December 2020 but it will first be submitted to the Council by the Minister of Finance for ratification. The KCCA budget according to the resolution will be scaled down.
“These Cabinet Resolutions are going to be submitted in the Council by the Minister of Finance because the City Executive is duty bound to initiate policies and forward the same for the Council’s ratification in line with the law. The KCCA Budget will be scaled down and the Minister of Finance has been tasked to sit down with the Executive Director to work out the modalities of effecting this,” he said.
By Drake Nyamugabwa
