Members of Parliament and government agencies are at the top of the list of tax evaders.

More than 800 individuals and corporations have defaulted on government taxes totaling 346 billion Shillings, including current and past members of Parliament.

This is stated in the Ministry of Finance’s answer to the concerns voiced by the Opposition in Parliament over the fiscal responsibility charter for the fiscal years 2021-2022-2025/26. Individuals and private companies owe the government 137 billion Shillings, while government entities owe the government 209 billion Shillings, according to the list.

Six current members of Parliament have tax debts, according to the list. Haruna Kasolo, the State Minister for Microfinance, has a bill of 94 million Shillings, Cissy Namujju, the Lwengo Woman MP, has 51 million Shillings, Aringa South MP Allioni Yoke Odria has 57 million Shillings, Nakaseke District Woman MP Sarah Najjuma has seven million Shillings, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP James Kakooza has

Odonga Otto (111 million Shillings), Julie Mukoda Zabwe (15 million Shillings), Sam Engola (32 million Shillings), Fred Angella (20 million Shillings), Hatwib Katoto (65 million Shillings), Paul Amoru (2.8 million Shillings), Kenneth Lubogo (7 million Shillings), and Crispus Ayena (65 million Shillings) are among the former MPs (8 million Shillings).

Retired Justice Steven Kavuma (4.4 million Shillings) and retired Justice Ralph Ochan (14 million Shillings) are also on the list, as is musician Joseph Mayanja, who owes 28 million Shillings.

The Ministry of Finance owes 150 billion Shillings in unpaid commitments, the Office of the Prime Minister owes 30 billion Shillings, the Ministry of Energy owes 13 billion Shillings, State House owes 3.4 billion Shillings, the Ministry of Water owes 2 billion Shillings, and the Ministry of Health owes 3.4 billion Shillings, among other government entities.

Pioneer Easy Bus has 5.7 billion Shillings in tax arrears, Uganda Telecom has 72 million Shillings, Bata Shoe Company has 245 million Shillings, Tomao Uganda Limited has 2.4 billion Shillings, China Railway 7th Group has 150 million Shillings, Roofclad Limited has 2.9 billion Shillings, KMPG c/o Crown Beverages has 1 billion Shillings, Airtel Uganda has 764 million Shillings, Florence Baby Centre Limited has 1.3

The list was submitted by Situation Minister for Finance Amos Lugolobi after the Budget Committee requested that the ministry present a detailed summary on the state of domestic arrears, loan absorption, and tax arrears.

Muwanga Kivumbi, the MP for Butambala County, says it is distressing to see leaders at the top of people who do not pay taxes.

Bayigga Lulume, the Buikwe South MP, believes the government should focus on properly collecting taxes from senior government officials and lawmakers rather than low-income individuals.

MPs have also expressed alarm about the government’s lack of a clear commitment to clear domestic debts, which are choking the economy. MPs were surprised to find that the government’s domestic arrears had lately climbed to 4.1 trillion Shillings while reviewing the government’s code of fiscal responsibility.

Lugoloobi told the committee that accounting officials who continue to accrue domestic arrears will be sanctioned, and many may risk contract termination if they continue to do so.