Kampala — Vice chancellors from all the universities have requested the government to exempt education institutions from taxes and the National Social Security Fund for their part- time staff.

During a vice chancellors' forum held in Kampala, the university heads decried the high taxes which are limiting their operation. They told the Education Minister Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire that though they are not certain on the issue of NSSF for part-timers, NSSF auditors are currently auditing personnel records at their institutions to correct arrears dating back as far as 7-10 years.

Joint discussion

"Hon. Minister we feel there should be a joint negotiation of the Vice chancellors' Forum, NSSF, the ministries of Education and Finance about this issue," Prof. Charles Olwenyi, the Vice Chancellor, Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi said.

In June, the government announced that all educational institutions shall be exempted from corporation and value added taxes, a move that vice chancellors welcomed.

In show of appreciation, the heads thanked the government for extending grants to private institutions. Recently, the government announced that with effect from the fiscal year 2009/2010, it will be extending grants to private institutions to help them improve on their operations.