Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC)

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    Limited health insurance coverage amidst upsurge of non-communicable diseases in Uganda
    (Economic Policy Research Centre, 2019-04-30) Mpuuga, Dablin ; Mbowa, Swaibu ; Odokonyero, Tonny
    This brief uses the 2016/17 Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) and the World Development Indicators (WDI) to show the extent of health insurance coverage for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases among others. Results indicate that: (i) NDCs affect people of all socio-economic groups; (ii) more Ugandans suffering from NCDs are willing to pay for health insurance, but very few are holders of insurance policies in this regard; (iii) other diseases like malaria are more easily insured compared to NCDs, an indication that the providers of health insurance services are not keen to insure sufferers of NCDs; (iv) there are regional differences in health insurance coverage as well as prevalence of NCDs, with the burden of NCDs more intense in the Bukedi, Busoga and Teso sub-regions, whereas NCDs are least prevalent in Kigezi and Ankole sub-regionsand (v) NCDs are likely to erode gains in poverty reduction at household level, because it is equally high among poor households with the least capacity to afford health insurance. We there by, recommend establishing special screening centres for NCDs in public health facilities especially health center II’s and III’s. This will promote early detection and early treatment hence curbing expensive costs for treating severe and chronic NCDs. Preventive measures need to be emphasized as well. These include regular body exercises and monitored nutrition which all lower the risk of NCDs. We further suggest incorporating and prioritizing NCDs into the proposed national health insurance scheme.
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    Attracting investments using tax incentives in Uganda: The effective tax
    (Economic Policy Research Centre, 2019-03-30) Lakuma, Corti Paul
    Uganda operates a wide array of tax incentives schemes to attract investments like other countries in East Africa. However, due to significant amount of revenue foregone due to such schemes, Uganda has embarked on the process of rationalizing its overall incentive regime. This study examines the tax burden of various tax incentives schemes operational in Uganda by estimating the effective marginal tax rates (EMTR) and effective average tax rates (EATR). We find sectoral variations in effective average tax rates due to a selective tax holiday and preferential income tax. Overall, tax holidays and preferential income tax rates lower the effective tax burden to a single digit percent and encourage individual tax avoidance strategies. We find that the surge inflation registered during 2010/11 had an adverse effect on effective tax rates. Furthermore, our results confirm in previous findings that tax holidays effectively reduce EATR and favour high-profit short-lived (less than 5 years) investment projects raising doubts about their overall rationale.
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    Fostering a sustainable agro-industrialisation agenda in Uganda
    (Economic Policy Research Centre, 2018-12-30) Economic Policy Research Centre, EPRC
    Uganda’s long-term goal, as outlined in the Vision 2040, is to industrialize and transform the structure of the economy. Given the dominance of agriculture as a source of livelihood, there is no doubt that Agro-industrialization (AGI) offers a great opportunity for the country to embark on its aspiration of transitioning into a modern industrial economy. In pursuit of this goal, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MFPED) under the auspices of the Strategic Economic Policy and Management (STEPMAN) Forum set out in 2017 to provide evidence-based practical policy solutions to address the slowdown in performance of the Ugandan economy. The Forum accordingly tasked the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) to take lead in conducting an in-depth policy oriented research to guide Uganda’s AGI agenda for the next five years. The product of that initiative is this report titled ‘Fostering a Sustainable Agro-Industrialization Agenda in Uganda’. This development prompted EPRC to devote most of its 2017/2018 research work plan to AGI activities culminating into production of policy notes on Transformative approach to Uganda’s export strategy and Agro-Industrialization for Inclusive Growth and Development’ which are a precursor to the final report. The actionable policy recommendations in the AGI Report also translated into Key Result Areas to guide Programme-Based Budgeting for Public Investment Management in Agro-Industry (PIMA) in FY 2019/2020 and the medium term. I am happy to report that MoFPED through the PIMA Taskforce commenced period engagements in August 2018 with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and private sector players, to act on some of the ground-breaking recommendations in the AGI draft report, including a shift from a piecemeal to a program approach for the AGI agenda. An AGI Steering Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary/ Secretary to Treasury has also been formed to provide effective coordination of the Program. I am therefore pleased to present to you this report which identifies the immense benefits of the agriculture sector linked to industry, including adoption of better production technologies, expanding the export and domestic revenue bases of the country and creating necessary preconditions for Uganda’s structural transformation into a high value- added manufacturing economy. I acknowledge the invaluable contribution from all stakeholders including EPRC researchers and the report drafting team, various organizations that shared their data, and the editorial team. I pledge on behalf of the ministry, that government will continue to implement the report recommendations while continuing the engagement with the various stakeholders.
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    The Agricultural Finance Year Book 2019
    (Economic Policy Research Centre, 2019-06-30) Economic Policy Research Centre, EPRC
    The 2019 Agricultural Finance Yearbook, which is the ninth edition in the series and coincides with the 10th anniversary of Agricultural Credit Facility (ACF), offers an in-depth analysis of the trends in the sector performance, with particular emphasis on interventions to promote agro-industrialisation. Chapter One of the book examines the trends in agriculture lending by both government and private financial institutions, the performance and implementation of the Bank of Uganda managed Agriculture Credit Facility over the last ten years; progress and lessons from the Agriculture Insurance Scheme; the rationale for an agriculture finance policy and the implication of the Tier-4 regulatory framework for agriculture finance. A key lesson drawn is that implementation challenges notwithstanding, the uptake of agriculture credit facilities offered by government and partners has steadily increased. This is reflected in portfolio of loans disbursed under ACF amounting to UGX 331 Billion, extended to 525 projects across the country, as at March 2019, as well as provision of complementary financial products by private institutions. Chapter Two of the book critically analyses the innovations that have impacted on the sector with a view to accelerating financial inclusion, such as the introduction and operationalisation of digital payments across the agriculture value chain, easing access to agriculture loans through agent banking, developments in collateral financing through the Warehouse Receipts System. In addition, the book chronicles unique innovations like Centenary Bank’s CenteSupa Woman club as well as interventions to encourage Agricultural Small Medium Enterprise (SME) lending. In the third chapter, evidence is provided using case studies, to examine the financing of agricultural value chains. This includes the role of Public-Private Producer Partnerships in the case of oil palm; financing the country’s integration in the global value chain referring to the case of cotton and textile industry, modalities employed by the development partners and private actors in financing the coffee value chain as well as looking at the development partners perspectives in the case of maize value chain financing in Uganda. Chapter Four assesses the opportunities for equity investments in the agriculture sector, use of credit guarantees to finance agriculture, capacities and institutional governance of Savings and Credit Cooperatives Associations Organisation—all aimed at boosting investments in agriculture sector. I appreciate EPRC’s role of fostering sustainable growth and development of the Ugandan economy by advancing the role of research in policy processes. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development shall continue to ensure that financing of agriculture is a priority. I highly recommend this insightful book to all stakeholders working in, or with an interest in, the agricultural sector in Uganda.