Gulu University wants tax breaks for young innovators

What the report says

Gulu University is urging the Ugandan government to reduce the tax and regulatory burden on young entrepreneurs, saying lighter rules could help university innovations reach the market, support job creation and strengthen local business growth. The call came from Vice Chancellor Prof. George Ladaah Openjuru, who argued that many graduates develop useful products but struggle to commercialise them because of costs linked to taxation, certification and compliance.

According to the Nile Post, Openjuru called for tax relief, tax holidays and other incentives for start-ups, saying early-stage companies should be given room to grow before being treated like established firms. He also cautioned that product-certification and other regulatory requirements can become obstacles if they are too expensive or difficult for young innovators to meet. For context, the Uganda Revenue Authority has a presumptive tax regime for some small businesses, while the Uganda National Bureau of Standards says certification is meant to protect quality and safety.

Openjuru made the remarks during the signing of a five-year partnership between Gulu University and Epiflex Agrovet Solutions Limited. The agreement is expected to cover agricultural research, innovation, student training, industrial attachment, product development, outreach and commercialisation. Epiflex said the collaboration should give students practical skills, while the Acholi Agro-input Dealers Association said it could also improve farmers’ access to information and markets, including in South Sudan.