Joyce Namugambe
The women probation iniative has shown concern over the tax that was imposed on diapers including adult and baby diapers by the parliament of Uganda, which they say is burdening of the vulnerable people who are required to use them especially for health issues.
The judicial review case was filed on 10 August 2023 on number 0462 2022 miscellaneous cause.
The parliament of Uganda on 4 June 2023 passed a bill that imposed 18 % tax burden on diapers which led to the immediate increase in prices of diapers around the country, making it hard for some of the needy Ugandans to buy them.
It should be noted that diapers which were previously listed as tax exempted goods, due to the unique needs and challenges faced by people who require them for various medical or age related reasons were then listed in goods to be taxed under section 8 of the ammendment to the value added tax act.
Adressing the press at WPI initiative offices in Ntinda, the WPI programs Manager Maria Bukirwa arged the goverment to rethink about the decission made by the parliament of Uganda and exempt the tax imposed on diapers, to save people from the burden of accessing them.
She added that WPI is dessatisfied with the decission made by the parliament since it has not favoured women, saying women are directly affected since they lead the cause of looking after the minority group which are required to use diapers such as babies, the elderly, the sick, people affected by health challenges among others.
She added that women already have unique challenges related to their reproductive health, and should not bear additional financial burdens, through imposing taxes on adult diapers. She therefore called upon the judiciary to recognise the imperative nature of this issue and take proactive steps to exempt adult diapers on taxes.
The project officer of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association in Uganda Isaac Odongo arged goverment to consider a number of people who use diapers as a necessity so that they look onto their needs.
He adds that people who suffer from spinal code injury lose the ability to walk and such people directly benefit from diapers. He noted people suffering from neural tube defects, spine defider among others who need to use diapers and increasing taxes on diapers makes it hard for their care takers to access them, thereby making their lives hard.
In the same way, one of the representatives from Kireka home for children with intellectual Impairment Getrude Lyaka, noted that almost every child and adults that they look after at their home require 3-4 diapers a day, but ever since they were taxed, parents/ guardians can nolonger bring the required number of diapers, yet even the full orphans who are carteredvfor by the home can nolonger get enough diapers since the home doesnot have enough funds.
She joins her voice on women probational initiative, to call upon the judiciary, stakeholders, civil society organisations and every concerned Ugandan to join hands to oppose the move made by the parliament of Uganda, to see that it is reversed.
Previously, adult diapers cost between 2500 to 3000 but now it is costing 4500.
WPI filed a court case number 0462 of 2023 against parliament.
