“The biggest confusion which has been going all over the country, people think that a policy is a law.

The policy just says let there be transparency in any religious institution. How you put that transparency measure in your institution is up to you.

Religious leaders said we want to tax the money. No! We want those resources that believers give to be used properly.

Government taxes taxable income. A giving in church or mosque is not an income. It is developmental money.”

Mr. Alex Bwangamoi Okello, Permanent Secretary of the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, Office of the President, is quoted as having explained during a meeting with religious leaders from Lango Sub-Region that was held in Lira City.

It so happens that Mr. Okello is among the founder members of CPAR Uganda and is Chair of our Board Finance Committee.

The draft National Policy for Religious and Faith Organizations (RFOs) is currently undergoing countrywide validation. Among its provisions is making it mandatory for religious organisations to account for offertory or any contributions made by devotees in places of prayer and worship.