KAMPALA- The Cassava National Platform Uganda has asked Parliament to consider including cassava among the cereals and grains with a zero tax rate to boost production and Uganda’s exports.
The appeal was made by Ken Wanda, Chairperson of Cassava National Platform Uganda, while appearing before Parliament’s Finance Committee to provide their views on the Value Added Tax Amendment Bill 2025, where they appealed to the government to impose a 35% import tax on cassava flour.
He further added that the zero-rate VAT would encourage the formalization of businesses involved in the cassava value chain.
Wanda further defended the need for the zero rating on cassava, arguing that it will help Uganda’s cassava to be competitive in both the East African Community market and the Commonwealth Market for East and South Africa (COMESA).
Rebecca Namugwanya, a member of the Cassava National Platform, detailed the ordeal she faces from the competition from substitutes like wheat flour which is cheaper than cassava.
She went on to detail the technology used in drying cassava, which she says is high power consuming as high quality cassava flour is not dried on the sun like the case is done in local homes.
Amos Kankunda, chairperson of the Finance Committee promised to follow up with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to investigate corruption tendencies towards the issuance of COMESA certificate during the importation of flour as alleged by the Cassava Group.
