Minister Kiwanda with the Hotel the association chairperson Susan Muhwezi
It is said that Hotels in Uganda pay 18 different types of taxes and seven licenses. To the Ugandan Hotel Owner’s Association, this is a bit extreme and they want that looked into immediately.
This was brought forward by the association chairperson Susan Muhwezi who called for government intervention. Being the chief guest at the general meeting held at Kampala Sheraton hotel on Monday, Honorable Godfrey Kiwanda, the State Minister for tourism Wildlife and Antiquities promised that something will be done about this situation.
“We are going to be your advocates, we are going to make sure that you have tax holidays,” he said.
Mr Kiwanda said this on the background that hotels are the biggest foreign exchange earner and biggest employer in the tourism sector.
The minister also recommended the association for a job well done in the past 19 years since it’s been in place. “Hotels are sitting rooms and bedrooms of every country. That is how important these kind of associations are. Someone will never forget where they slept each time they visit a country no matter how small or big or dirty a room is,” said the minister. “So I want to commend you towards your two decades of service,” he added.