Health activists raise concern over ‘high taxes’ on imported condoms

Dr. Cecilia Nattembo, the regional medical director for Uganda Cares in the South Western region said they pay hefty charges in terms of verification fees for condoms they import before they are allowed into the country.

“The donors give out these condoms to Ugandans for free but it is surprising that when these condoms get into the country, the government has to charge taxes on them, and this sometimes affects the volumes of the condoms we have to import since we will have to spend money on paying verification fees. It’s okay to conduct verification of commodities, but the government should take up this task and verify these condoms for free,” she said.

She said the organisation pays over $2,000 (about Shs7 million) for every 2 million imported condoms.

Ms. Nattembo was speaking at a function to mark International Condom Day at Namirembe landing site, Kyanamukkaka Sub County in Masaka District on Friday.

She also raised concern over the complacence of citizens which she said has led to a rise in HIV /Aids prevalence rate in the Masaka Sub-region.

“What we see implies that people are no longer fearing contracting HIV/Aids. We implore you to embrace the uptake of available prevention measures especially condom use as you enter into Valentine’s weekend,” she said.

The 2020 HIV/Aids report shows that the HIV prevalence rate in Masaka Region currently stands at 8.1 percent up from 4.1 percent.

At the national level, the prevalence rate stands at 5.5 percent and women have a higher rate compared to men that stand at 3.8 as women stagger at 7.1 percent.

The Kyanamuka Sub County chairperson, Mr. Cyrus Kalema applauded Uganda Cares for extending HIV/Aids care services to the community and urged residents to increase uptake of HIV/Aids preventive measures, especially condom use.