The 2011/2012 national budged that was read on June 8 by the Minister of Finance, Maria Kiwanuka has caused mixed reactions among the Ugandans.

The people engaged in the agricultural sector who are the majority Ugandans say the 2011/2012 budget is the best since independence. The government has cut or exempted taxes on many agricultural related commodities. Hoes and premixes of animal and poultry were exempted of import taxes while food supplements were subsidized from 25% to 10% import duty.

Motorists and hoteliers have different views from the agriculturalist. Motorists have said that their grievance of high fuel prices which is one of the most causes of the walk to work protests in April has not been addressed. Motorists say that instead of reducing taxes on petrol and diesel the government has scrapped off taxes on kerosene which is used by few Ugandans.

Meanwhile the hoteliers have expressed fear for reducing the budget by 30% for seminars and workshops of ministries.

The Hotel Africana General Manager, Shitaha Victor says that the reduction of government expenditure on workshops and seminars will reduce the income of most hotels. However, hotels like Serena and Imperial Royale say they do not depend much on government ministries but to the companies and foreign bookings.

By Issa Asuman