opinion 2 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Opinion: Bars Deserve Tax Breaks Just Like Churches
A columnist challenges the Archbishop's call for church transport amid tax exemptions, arguing that bars serve as vital community hubs fostering social bonds and economic activity, yet face crippling taxes and rising costs that demand government relief. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/entertainment/bars-need-tax-breaks-too-5410708
In a provocative opinion during Holy Week, a writer questions the Church of Uganda Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu’s plea for reliable transport like SUVs for clergy. He contrasts this with Jesus walking vast distances to preach, noting churches already enjoy tax exemptions while drawing from taxed resources.
A Catholic lawyer defended churches for their weekly gatherings of tax-paying Ugandans without transport reimbursements. The writer counters that bars fill a similar role, sharing personal stories from his father’s bar in Seeta, near Kampala.
These spots unite diverse crowds—from CEOs to struggling locals—for banter, relaxation, and escape from daily stresses. They blend urban sophistication with rural vibes, fueling local culture and even ‘nation-building’ through heavy spending that feeds the taxman.
Yet tragedy looms: bar staff, serving drinks, fries, and hangover remedies, battle stagnant wages, long hours, soaring living costs, and relentless taxes. Owners and workers alike struggle as drink prices soar, making patronage feel burdensome.
Bars merit special status as essential social institutions—Friday night ‘churches’—deserving protection. While not seeking SUVs, the author demands tax rebates on pints if clergy get vehicles.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)