Govt Denies Deliberate Tax Cuts on Imported Sugar

Government has dismissed media reports claiming that taxes on imported sugar have been slashed to ensure stable sugar supply in the country.

In a statement issued by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Amelia Kyambadde, the government hasn’t taken a decision to import tax free sugar since there is currently sufficient sugar in country.

“Government has not taken a decision to reduce taxes on imported sugar. Sugar prices have steadily reduced from average Shs 8,500 in May 2017, to currently Shs 4,500 with expectations to reduce even further,” read the statement.

“Sugar millers have sufficient stock of sugar to meet domestic demand currently,” the Minister added in the statement.

The Daily Monitor, one of Uganda’s daily newspaper on Tuesday November 28, published a story in which it claimed that Cabinet had agreed to reduce the fees taxed on imported sugar so as to reduce the cost.

Kyambadde stressed that government cannot import duty free sugar since there is enough stock in the marker and added that prices are stabilising steadily.

The Minister demanded the retraction of the said news story by Daily Monitor with immediate effect.