Last week, a team of twenty vice-chancellors of private universities under their umbrella body, Vice-Chancellors’ Forum met the minister of education, Mrs. Janet Museveni, at State House Entebbe. In the meeting, the vice chancellors asked for tax holidays and a rescue package to enable them pay staff salaries. In addition, the vice-chancellors requested the Government for provision of personal protection equipment for staff and lecturers as well as the revision of the students’ loan scheme and the government scholarships policy.
Dr John Ssenyonyi the outgoing UCU vice chancellor also the chairperson of the forum, revealed that many private universities had asked for a tax holiday but they have not yet been answered in addition to the request of more scholarships to be given to students. “Even in cases where the taxes were deferred, we will have to pay this money. We felt that there was need to have taxes waived, but it was rejected. We also requested that the 4,000 scholarships should be rolled into the Student Loan Scheme so that there is a single spine higher education financing model,” Dr. Ssenyonyi showed concern.
According to Dr. Ssenyonyi, the First Lady said they will table the matter before Cabinet for discussion to find the way forward.
The outbreak of coronavirus in Uganda, left many enterprises struggling financially since they were advised to close by the government to curb the spread of coronavirus. Many of these enterprises especially those in the private sector have reached to the extent of laying off workers and announcing salary pay-cuts.