The Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), John R. Musinguzi, has emphasised that the new directive, requiring each importer in group shipments to clear taxes using their Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) will help protect traders from fraud and give them more control over their businesses.

Speaking to hundreds of traders gathered at Hotel Africana during a URA-Traders Dialogue organised by the Kampala Central Division Arcade Traders Cooperative Society (KACEDAT) yesterday, Musinguzi emphasised that this is part of the taxman’s bigger commitment to streamline trade facilitation processes and ensure fairness and transparency in cargo clearing.

“This change means no importer should have to wait for others in the group to pay before receiving their goods. It will greatly speed up the clearing process and reduce dependency on third parties, who may want to manipulate traders,” Musinguzi said.

He added, “When clearing goods, each importer within a groupage shipment should be issued an individual house bill. With that, they can proceed to clear their goods independently and move on to conduct their businesses.

Kwaligonza Henry, Manager of Warehousing in the Customs Department, also assured traders that once taxes are fully paid, goods will be promptly released from URA bonds and warehouses to keep business moving smoothly.

The Commissioner General’s remarks have come amid growing concern over fraudulent middlemen, commonly known as “container leaders,” who have taken advantage of the old system to exploit fellow traders, charging them inflated fees well beyond the actual taxes due.

One such victim, Iga Charles, Executive Director of KACEDAT and himself, a small-scale importer, shared his harrowing experience that left him reeling from losses.

“I paid all the required taxes through a container leader, only for him to seize my goods and demand even more money. I didn’t see my goods for over a year and a half,” he revealed.

Praising URA’s latest directive, Iga expressed hope for a new course charted by the taxman.

“With this move, we are finally breaking free from the grip of those who have taken advantage of us for years. This gives us room to import goods and run our businesses without fear.”

Dr. Okaka Godfrey Owich, representing the Commissioner of Customs, echoed the Commissioner General’s stance, vowing to make intentional efforts within URA to eliminate corrupt practices.

“We are intensifying efforts to dismantle networks that have enabled fraud, bribery, and other forms of malpractice. We have also established a solution desk to track and resolve delayed shipments quickly,” he said.

Turning to the auction and bidding process, Musinguzi explained that the entire system has now been digitised to promote fairness and anonymity.

“The online platform ensures that bidder identities remain confidential. Once the bidding window closes, the system automatically selects the TIN with the highest offer. If the top bidder fails to pay within the given time, the opportunity is immediately passed to the next highest bidder.”

By Dismas Nuwaine and Joshua Niyonshima