The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is taking proactive steps to streamline trade and address challenges faced by businesses, particularly concerning non-tariff barriers and tax compliance, according Asadu Kigozi Kisitu, Commissioner of Customs at URA.
Speaking during Spotlight Uganda hosted by NBS Television on Monday under the theme, “How UNBS and URA are Transforming Trade in Uganda”, Kisitu highlighted the ongoing initiatives aimed at improving trade facilitation and transparency.
“We have forums where we engage with different countries to address non-tariff barriers. These discussions help ensure that Ugandan traders are not unduly hampered by regulations or administrative bottlenecks abroad,” he said.
Kisitu also revealed that URA has established a platform where businesspeople can report non-tariff barriers they encounter.
“When traders report these barriers, we take prompt action to resolve them. Our goal is to make trade as smooth and predictable as possible,” he said.
In addition to tackling trade barriers, Kisitu emphasised the importance of transparency in tax declarations.
“The best way to avoid any trouble is to be transparent when declaring taxes. This ensures compliance and helps businesses avoid unnecessary penalties,” he said.
A key challenge, according to Kisitu, is the inconsistency between how tax authorities classify goods and how traders describe them.
“The way we, the tax people, describe items is not always the same as the traders’ descriptions. This is something we want to address together with the trading community to create a more coherent system,” he said.
URA is also preparing to launch a new digital tax calculator designed to assist businesses. The tool will allow traders to input product details and instantly calculate the applicable taxes, making tax planning more accurate and reducing potential disputes.
The collaboration between URA and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) marks a significant step towards transforming Uganda’s trade environment, ensuring transparency, and fostering a more business-friendly ecosystem.