economy 19 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Tax System Unfairly Burdens Women, New Study Reveals
A recent study indicates that Uganda's tax system places a disproportionate burden on women due to policies that overlook their economic realities and unpaid care responsibilities. The report calls for tax reforms to promote gender equality. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-tax-system-disproportionately-burdens-women-study-finds-5637564
A new study, “From Neutrality to Equity: A Gender Analysis of Uganda’s Tax Regime,” highlights that Uganda’s tax structure unfairly disadvantages women. The research, conducted by the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), suggests that current tax policies do not adequately consider the economic circumstances women face, including their prevalence in informal businesses and their significant role in unpaid care work.
The report criticizes presumptive taxation, which taxes businesses based on turnover rather than profit, as particularly harmful to small enterprises, many of which are women-owned and operate on thin margins. Furthermore, Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential items and excise duties on everyday products and services like cooking oil and mobile money transactions are found to increase living costs and hinder business for women.
FOWODE Executive Director Patricia Munaabi emphasized that tax policies have a profound impact on women’s lives, affecting their access to property, income, and public services, thus making tax justice a women’s rights issue. The study points out that tax policy changes often prioritize government revenue needs over assessments of their social and economic effects on different demographics.
Lead researcher Nite Tanzarn noted the insufficient representation of women, especially those in the informal sector, during tax policy consultations. The study recommends removing taxes on essential goods such as menstrual products and childcare items, and introducing tax incentives for working mothers and caregivers. It also advocates for tax relief for women-focused businesses and lower trade license fees for vulnerable groups.
Minister of State for Gender and Culture Mary Kuteesa, speaking at the report’s launch, urged the Ministry of Finance and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to engage women more effectively in economic policy, stressing that excluding 52% of the population limits economic growth and government revenue. The URA, while defending its outreach efforts, acknowledged the need to improve the tax environment for women.