John Musinguzi, the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), has warned intermediaries who he says are slowing down trade and taking advantage of weaknesses in the customs system.
Speaking at the URA Traders Dialogue event on May 8, 2025, Musinguzi pledged that the URA would focus on improving transparency, efficiency, and direct communication with traders.
Held at Hotel Africana, the event’s theme was “Fostering Transparency in Trade Facilitation.”
Musinguzi emphasized that middlemen, such as consolidators and clearing agents, are often the cause of delays and misinformation that create distrust between the URA and business owners.
He stressed that the container clearance process should be clear, with no hidden charges or unnecessary fees.
He also made it clear that the expected time for clearing a container should be two days from the Port of Mombasa.
He promised to take strong action against those who exploit taxpayers, whether they are inside or outside the URA system.
“These people are enemies of national progress,” he stated, highlighting the need for stronger tax education and a commitment to transparency.
Musinguzi urged traders not to pay bribes and to report any unethical behavior to the URA’s Compliance and Ethics team.
He assured the public that there would be no more delays for goods arriving from abroad. Additionally, he committed to addressing the issue of clearing agents and ensuring they charge fair fees.
The dialogue also provided an opportunity for traders to discuss their concerns and stress the importance of tax education.
Charles Yiga, Chairman of the Kampala Central Division Arcade Traders Cooperative Society (KACEDAT), acknowledged that many traders struggle to keep up with tax requirements due to a lack of knowledge.
He expressed hope that continued collaboration with URA would help traders understand their tax obligations better and build a tax-conscious community.
The event underscored URA’s vision of creating a fairer tax environment that supports both national development and local businesses.
Through ongoing education and open dialogues, Musinguzi emphasized that the URA is committed to tackling corruption and ensuring smoother business operations in Uganda.
