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Uganda Revenue Authority’s Commissioner General, John Musinguzi, urges clearing and forwarding agents to follow established guidelines for trade efficiency.

The Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Mr. John Musinguzi, has urged clearing and forwarding agents to adhere strictly to the established guidelines to ensure a seamless flow of trade.

Mr. Musinguzi’s directive comes in response to concerns raised by clearing and forwarding agents regarding the limitations on the warehousing of goods imported for re-export. Earlier this year, URA issued guidelines imposing restrictions on the warehousing of various goods intended for re-exportation, such as cooking oil, biscuits, canned beer, tomato paste, sugar, and dry cell batteries.

This initiative, as highlighted by Mr. Musinguzi, aims to safeguard the market for local manufacturers, given that similar goods are produced within the country. It also addresses instances where traders have removed goods intended for re-exportation from warehouses.

However, this development has not been well received by clearing agents, who have called for a review of the guidelines. Addressing the agents at the URA headquarters in Nakawa yesterday, Mr. Musinguzi urged them to comply with the new guidelines and lend their support to the proposal for establishing a central container depot.

Mr. Musinguzi elaborated on the benefits of having a central container depot, where all incoming goods would be meticulously documented by description, weight, and value in the government database. This would ensure clear accountability in cases where goods disappear during their warehousing period.

Furthermore, Mr. Abel Kagumire, the Commissioner of Customs, commended the clearing agents for their contribution to revenue mobilization and assured them of additional training opportunities to enhance their expertise in the field.