The Private Universities in Uganda through their chairman who also doubles as Uganda Christian University (UCU) Vice Chancellor, Rev. Canon Dr. John Senyonyi have appealed to the Government of Uganda to grant them tax holidays.
This has been subjected on the closure of academic institutions by the government to reduce on the spread of COVID-19 among Ugandans where all students were sent home up to now. It’s known that private institutions depend on student fees as their major source of income, this clearly puts out that they have not earned in the last 2 months of lock down.
In his speech during the 10th High-Level Policy Dialogue Organized by ACODE, CSBAG and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Rev. Canon Dr. Ssenyonyi, said all private universities are in financial crisis and urgently need government intervention.
“The strongest resource of higher education is its students with a guarantee of public reproducible knowledge, dynamism, high motivation, sustainability and continuity. Private universities are running on loans. At UCU, for example, we have written to banks requesting them to consider extending the duration for repaying the loans we have borrowed,’’ He requested.
On behalf of other private universities, Dr. Ssenyonyi also requested for a share from the government research funds it provides to the public universities, citing that private institutions contribute to the development of the country by offering quality education to Ugandans.
“I wonder what the government think about this, the private universities are teaching Ugandan students, that is why they should be included in research facilities that the government is providing,” he showed concern.
