Uganda’s Digital Service Tax Proposal


Uganda, like many other developing countries, is facing the challenge of ensuring that digital businesses operating within its borders contribute their fair share of taxes to the government. To this end, the Ugandan government has proposed a 5% income tax on digital income providers who are non-residents of the country.

The proposal aims to capture revenue from multinational companies that generate income from Ugandan consumers through digital services such as online advertising, streaming services, e-commerce platforms, and other digital platforms. The tax would be levied on the gross revenue generated by these companies from Ugandan users.

This proposal is not unique to Uganda, because it is already operating in our neighboring countries like Kenya and Tanzania. However, in Uganda, the proposal has generated controversy and debates among stakeholders saying it might scare away investors because of the high rate at 5% whereas Kenya at 1.5% and Tanzania at 25% which in my own point of view is a valid point.

On one hand, supporters of the proposal argue that digital businesses are not currently paying their fair share of taxes, and that the proposed tax would help to close this gap. They also argue that the tax revenue generated would widen our tax base and therefore go towards funding important public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure hence development.

On the other hand, opponents of the proposal argue that the tax would be counterproductive, as it would discourage digital businesses from investing in Uganda, and could ultimately lead to job losses and reduced economic growth. They also argue that the proposal is unfair, as it places an additional burden on non-resident businesses, while exempting local businesses.