The Uganda Revenue Authority has revealed plans to open an operational office in the Kikuubo business area in the near future. This collaborative initiative with the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) is aimed at bringing services closer to traders in downtown Kampala, including support with the adoption of technology, return filing, and any other tax-related matters.

URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi made the revelation during a joint press conference at the PSFU offices in Nakasero on Saturday.

“The purpose of the office is to dispense services to the taxpayers like return filing, issuance of E-receipts, spreading awareness, and bridging any knowledge gap between traders and URA,” he said.

The engagement also follows concerns from traders in downtown Kampala on the implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS), with a section threatening to demonstrate and close shops if URA doesn’t address their pains.

During meeting, attended by URA, PSFU, and representatives from various trader’s associations, including the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), UTEA, Uganda Cargo Consolidators and Kampala Rice Traders Association held on Friday, it was agreed to prioritize continued dialogue and engagement as opposed to disruptive approaches.

Musinguzi expressed URA’s readiness to review any operational concerns surrounding enforcement and called for voluntary compliance and adoption. Additionally, URA will continue to support traders who are still having issues with adopting to EFRIS.

He also addressed allegations of double taxation, which he attributed to middlemen.

“There is nothing like double taxation. If anything, it is exploitation of traders by middlemen who call themselves container leaders shipping goods from abroad,” Musinguzi emphasized.

“When they bring in the container and they are assessed, let’s say UGX 50 million, they then go and charge traders about UGX 100 million, and as such, they make off with excess monies,” he explained.

Musinguzi advised traders to deal with URA directly, as it’s the only body they are mandated to file returns with.

In addition, Sarah Kagingo, the Vice Chairperson of PSFU emphasized the importance of continuous dialogue in finding lasting solutions and averting disruptions.

“When there are demonstrations and violence on the streets of Kampala, it’s the business community that will suffer as their sales will drop and this in the long run will affect their compliance,” she advised.

By Irene Kabakama and Dismas Nuwaine