Mubende leaders want to tax churches

The proposal was prompted by the mushrooming churches in the area, which they say make a lot of money through collecting offertory, tithe and special prayer sessions.

Kooki leader. Kamuswaga Sansa Kabumbuli. FILE PHOTO 

In Summary

• Business. Kitenga Sub- county chairman Mr Gamaba says Born Again churches are in business and ought to pay taxes like other businesses to enable the sub-county get more revenue.
  Unfair. Pastor John Magaba, the chairperson Community Christian Mission International, says portraying churches as business entities was an insult.
  

By Josephine Nnabbaale

MUBENDE. Kitenga Sub- county leaders in Mubende District last week made a proposal to tax Pentecostal [Born-again] churches operating in the area, starting next year.
The proposal was prompted by the mushrooming churches in the area, which they say make a lot of money through collecting offertory, tithe and special prayer sessions.
Mr Bakine Apolonali, the chairman Sala village, said his village alone has seven Born-again churches and pastors collect ‘millions during the services.’
“There is a very strong case for taxing Born-again churches, and this could be one of the ways of expanding our tax base. We are going to have further consultations on this,” said Mr Edward Gamaba, the Kitenga Sub- county chairman.
Tax base
Business. Kitenga Sub- county chairman Mr Gamaba says Born Again churches are in business and ought to pay taxes like other businesses to enable the sub-county get more revenue.
Unfair. Pastor John Magaba, the chairperson Community Christian Mission International, says portraying churches as business entities was an insult.
SEEKING TALKS
Made attempt. Mr Godfrey Kimbugwe, the deputy prime minister Kooki chiefdom, said they have always wanted to work with Mengo, but some officials within the kingdom have frustrated their efforts for dialogue.
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