Uganda, April 20 -- The Minister of Works and Transport Edward Katumba Wamala has urged the government to waive taxes off quality life jackets as a way of encouraging fishermen and water users to embrace their use in order to save lives.

Mr Katumba is of the view that the move would encourage fishermen and travellers to embrace quality life jackets, lifesavers he said are currently out of reach of many because of their high prices.

"The issue of life jackets should be considered as medicine. Why should they be highly taxed? We can do away with some of these taxes and save lives. It could explain why people bring in those of very poor quality. As a country, if we want to save lives and see the number of people who die on water reduce, we...