KAMPALA – The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has said it will not subject athlete Halima Nakaayi’s prize money to tax after she won gold in the women’s 800-meter final at the 2019 IAAF World Championships.
Nakaayi bagged $60,000 (about UGX220m) as prize money at the championship ongoing at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha.
And according to URA, the athlete needs not worry as her prize money is exempt from tax.
“What shouldn’t shock you is the fact that she is going to dance all the way to the bank because; According to Section 21 of the Income Tax Act, The following amounts are tax-exempt;- an award received by a sportsperson as a reward from winning or participating in a sports competition. We celebrate her for demonstrating the spirit of Uganda,” URA said in a statement on Tuesday.
Nakaayi posted 1:58.04 breaking the national record. The duo from USA Raeyn Rogers and Ajee Wilson finished second and third respectively. Winnie Nanyondo came in fourth place in a time of 1:59.18.
The good performance of the Ugandan runners also drew the attention of President Museveni.
“Congratulations to Halima Nakaayi who has just won the 800m women’s final at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championship in Doha, Qatar. Congratulations to Winnie Nanyondo for putting up a great show in the same race. Your country is proud of you,” the President tweeted.
On Tuesday Uganda’s other runners Boniface Abel Sikowo, Albert Chemutai and Benjamin Kiplagat will compete in the heats of the 3000m steeplechase.
Uganda has fielded 22 athletes in the Championship including medal hopefuls Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo.
