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Tag: URA

  • Uganda Revenue Authority names Vivo Energy Uganda its “Top Revenue Generating AEO”

    Uganda Revenue Authority names Vivo Energy Uganda its “Top Revenue Generating AEO”

    Kampala: The Uganda Revenue Authority has named Vivo Energy Uganda, the marketer and distributor of Shell fuels and lubricants, as the “Top Revenue Generating Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)”.

    AEO is a regional trade facilitation programme recommended by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to ease trade and customs clearance for tax-compliant importers and exporters.

    AEOs are therefore businesses certified by customs administrations to do self-assessments in compliance with customs rules, under the World Customs Organisation supply chain security standards.

    Mr. Sam Bukenya (2nd right), Vivo Energy Uganda Transport and Logistics Manager, receives the ‘Top Revenue Generating AEO’ Award from Mr. John Musinguzi, URA Commissioner General, at the Authorized Economic Operators Conference. Looking on is Mr. Abel Kagumire (3rd left), the URA Commissioner for Customs

    An AEO is a company highly trusted by the revenue body-that even with less surveillance, such a company is expected to assess itself and willfully pay taxes. The companies are also able to self-regulate, self-assess, and work seamlessly with URA regarding their operations.  The URA’s initiative is supported by TradeMark East Africa and seeks to enhance trade by reducing business costs through simplifying customs procedures.

    Vivo Energy Uganda, which enrolled under the AEO Program in 2019 and was recognized as leader in the financial contribution to Uganda Revenue Authority tax contribution to the tune of Uganda shillings 1.2 trillion to date.On behalf of Mr. Johan Grobbelaar, the Managing Director, Mr. Samuel Bukenya, the Transport and Logistics Manager at Vivo Energy Uganda, accepted the certificate of recognition and plaque from Mr. John Musinguzi, the Commissioner General at URA, at the Authorized Economic Operator Conference held at Speke Resort Munyonyo on November 11, 2022.

    In his remarks, Mr. Grobbelaar expressed his heartfelt gratitude to URA for the recognition.“The management and staff of Vivo Energy Uganda would like to express its gratitude for the recognition. We are honoured to receive this accolade, following our enrollment in the AEO Program in 2019 and constantly leading in the tax contribution to Uganda Revenue Authority todate,” he said.

    Adding, “We appreciate your outstanding relationship and want to reassure you that we will continue to fulfil our tax commitments to support the increase of tax income and your overall objectives. We look forward to a stronger partnership in 2023 and wish you success in all your endeavours.”

    Speaking at the awarding ceremony, Mr. Musinguzi, said AEOS have eased the cost of doing business, boosted business turnover, trust, and facilitated international trade. On his part, he committed to ensure that URA eases customs clearance processes to facilitate international trade to transform the economy.

    Mr. Musinguzi thanked the AEOs for their contribution towards growing Uganda’s economy, while citing the Uganda shillings 594 trillion combined remittances that form 42% of URA’s total customs revenue of Uganda shillings 8.444 trillion.

    At the ceremony, over twenty-four tax compliant companies were awarded AEO status, bringing the total number of AEOs in Uganda to 118 currently. ENDS.

  • URA joins Save River Rwizi Marathon campaign

    URA joins Save River Rwizi Marathon campaign

    Things are getting on well as the day for Save River Rwizi Marathon 2022 approaches, we can confirm.

    Latest on our desk has it that Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has joined the cause and will be part of the sponsors at the marathon slated for 30th July at Ankole Mall Gardens Rwabikoona Mbarara.
    Participation fee is 20k inclusive of marathon kit. You can also be part of the cause by joining the campaign. Singer Spice Diana, Comedian Teacher Mpamire and Masaka Kids will provide entertainment on the day. The marathon is organized by Abahumuza Development Group.
  • UBL, URA, BAT, KACITA, Police and many others join hands to illicit trade

    UBL, URA, BAT, KACITA, Police and many others join hands to illicit trade

    Key stakeholders in business sector have joined hands to fight illicit goods in Uganda. 
    Companies like Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), British American Tobacco (BAT), Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), and the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) of Police among others have assured the public that they are determined to fight against fake products in the market.

    The assurance was made during a sensitization workshop held at Hotel Africana on Wednesday 16th March 2022.
    Uganda National Bureau of Standards together with the security agencies are also determined to fight fake products from the market.
    Unilever Managing Director, Joanita Mukasa, said illicit trade is a vice that needs joint effort in its fight since it costs government money on top of killing innovation and market for genuine products.
    “Counterfeits are morally wrong. If we can let counterfeits cost an image we have built over the years, then it is not okay. Counterfeits cost lives. What happens to your life if you consume counterfeits? It is counterproductive and costs time,” Mukasa noted.
    Billy Tsuma, who represented the Chief Executive Officer at BAT Uganda, said cigarettes are the most taxed products in Uganda. According to Tsuma, Shs 50 of every Shs 100 goes to URA in taxes.
    He noted that 24% of cigarettes consumed in Uganda are illicit with 1% being those manufactured locally. Last year alone, Tsuama revealed that BAT lost Shs 38 billion to counterfeits, which money he says URA should be collecting.
    He, however, said that awareness is critical. “It is why we are here as BAT. Cigarettes are fast-moving consumer products. We need counterfeiters fined heavily,” Tsuma said.
    KACITA Uganda Chief Executive Officer Abel Mwesigye said illicit products are all over the market and readily available more than genuine products.
    However, he warned dealers in this trade that it is expensive and unsustainable.
    “We have seen how illicit trade affects us. We have no compromise on illicit trade. If someone can counterfeit your product, then they have killed your market. Illicit trade doesn’t sustain you or your business because it is not sustainable,” Mwesigye said.
    Mwesigye noted that there is a need for more sensitization about the dangers of illicit goods.
    “The people consuming these products have no option. These illicit products are readily available and are everywhere compared to genuine products. We need massive sensitization because we (KACITA) interact with these people,” he said.
    Julius Nkwasire, the URA Assistant Commissioner Enforcement said that the Authority is investing time in the 3 Es – Educate, Engage and Enforce.
    According to Nkwasire, URA has a strategy to protect brands and make illicit trade very expensive.
    According to UBL, last year alone, they seized illicit alcohol worth Shs375 million.
    Joseph Lubulwa, UBL Brand Protection Manager said that counterfeiters take 64.5% of the market share, leaving the remaining percentage to the genuine dealers.
    Against the above background, UBL has partnered with organizations in the private sector to conduct nationwide sensitization engagements on illicit trade so as to sensitize the public and the relevant authorities on the adverse effects of illicit alcohol and how to spot the difference between licit and illicit.
    He however appealed for timely prosecution and tougher penalties for offenders.
    CID Spokesperson Charles Twine assured stakeholders of fighting illicit trade.
    “Our mandate is to secure lives, detect and deter. We are talking about illicit trade. Illicit trade is closely associated with terrorism. The moment we entertain illicit trade, you are playing on people’s innovation and health,” Twine said, adding that: “We are committed to working with everybody here to fight illicit trade. We look forward to working with you.”
  • URA in major senior staff shake up

    URA in major senior staff shake up

    Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has made a major senior staff shake up from resignations of senior officials.

    URA Board of Directors sat and made recommendations on 28th May concerning the re-organisation and management of URA.


    On Friday 29th 2020, Senior Officials of the tax body chose to resign and the board has accepted their resignations. The said staff are; Mr. Dicksons Kateshumbwa, Mr. Henry Saka, Mr. Silajji Kanyesigye Baguma and Mr. Samuel Kahima.

    Following the above developments and in line with the URA Leadership Rotational Framework, the composition of the Heads of Department and the Large Taxipayers Office will be as follows with immediate effect;
    Mr. Mukiibi Patrick has been transferred from the position of Commissioner Corporate Services to the position of Commissioner Domestic Taxes, Mrs. Patience T. Rubagumya remains as Commissioner Legal Services and Board Affairs, Mr. Herbert Rusoke remains as Commissioner Internal Audit and Compliance, Mr. Abel Kagumire remains Acting Commissioner Customs, Mr. Mathew Mugabi has been appointed as Acting Commissioner Tax Investigations, Mr. James Kizza has been appointed as Acting Commissioner Corporate Services and Mr. John Tinka Katungwesi will be Acting Assistant Commissioner Large Taxipayers Office.

    Dicksons Kateshumbwa quit the tax body after 14 years of service

    Other senior positions are not affected by these changes.

    URA Management wishes to reiterate that Integrity, Patriotism and professionalism will define the new era at National Tax Body.

  • Traders to close shops countrywide in 7 days if URA doesn’t revoke payment of import tax at First Port

    Traders to close shops countrywide in 7 days if URA doesn’t revoke payment of import tax at First Port

    Traders in Kampala under their umbrella body Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) have given revenue collection body Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) commissioner for customs Dickson Kateshumbwa a one-week ultimatum to meet with them and revoke a public notice which he issued instructing all traders to pay the taxes of their imported goods at the first ports before entering Uganda.


    On 19th October 2019, Kateshumbwa issued a notice titled “Restriction on warehousing of imported goods” to all traders to have their goods facilitated under the single customs territory arrangement, where taxes have to be paid upon arrival of goods at the first ports of entry into East African community.
    The notice became effective the following day of 20th October 2019.


    Products such as sugar, milled and broken rice of HS code 1006.30 and 1006.40, wines and spirits, building materials, motor vehicle tyres and tubes, motorcycle tyres and tubes, dentifrices, garments of all kinds, footwear of all kinds among are affected by the notice.
    Currently, traders pay taxes to URA after their goods have reached Kampala.


    They say paying taxes at first ports has many associated risks such as theft of their goods among others.

    KACITA spokesperson Mr Issa Ssekito revealed today that the association’s top leadership headed by chairman Everest Kayondo yesterday had a meeting with URA corporate affairs manager Vincent Seruma and the commissioner for compliance and enforcement and discussed the matter.
    The meeting resolved that for now, traders whose goods are at the first ports of entry such as Dar es Salam, Mombasa be allowed to enter Uganda and have taxes paid after they have arrived meaning that the notice had been suspended.
    “However, this does not mean that the notice has been formally withdrawn,” said Ssekito
    This is means that it will be brought back anytime.
    The meeting also resolved that traders organise a date and meet with URA officials to explain to them the significance of paying taxes at first ports of entry which led to today’s meeting.
    After a meeting of KACITA top leadership and URA officials yesterday, today the association held another meeting with traders to announce what transpired yesterday and get a way forward.
    Today’s meeting was full of drama as traders slammed URA and unanimously agreed to meet no one else other than Kateshumbwa to revoke the notice.
    Traders unanimously agreed and set Tuesday next week at 10:00 am to meet Mr Dickisons Kateshumbwa in person to explain to them why tax should be paid at first ports and “formally withdraw” the notice.
    If the notice is not withdrawn, traders unanimously agreed to protest by closing their shops in the whole country.
    Traders also rejected the proposal by URA to meet them in accordance with the goods that sell. They said URA must meet them altogether without dividing them.

  • URA commends NWSC for tax compliance

    URA commends NWSC for tax compliance

    This morning a team from the Uganda Revenue Authority made a courtesy call to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Head office at Plot 3, Nakasero.

    The Officials led by the Assistant Commissioner Customs and Audit Mr Abel Kagumire recognised and presented a token of appreciation from the URA Commissioner General Doris Akol to the NWSC MD Dr.Eng Silver Mugisha for exemplary tax compliance and integrity management.

    Speaking at the hand over, Mr Kagumire said that NWSC is a complaint organisation that always remitts staff Pay As You Earn on Time (PAYE), Value Added Tax (VAT) and other tax obligations of the corporation on time without any difficulty.

    NWSC MD Dr.Eng Silver Mugisha said that the NWSC is committed to the economic development of the country.
    “We want to see more roads, health services , water and sewerage services among other services efficiently delivered to the people of Uganda. When we pay tax we build this nation.” he said.

    NWSC Deputy Managing Director Finance and Corporate strategy Mrs Sylvia Alinaitwe Tumuhairwe appreciated URA for the gesture and pledged to continue supporting the Uganda Revenue Authority by honouring NWSC tax obligations.

    NWSC Manager Finance and Treasury Mr Kujju Geoffrey appreciated the gesture.
    “At the sight of the taxman, most people take off! I’m happy to note that NWSC is not among those institutions that take off . We always gladly welcome them at NWSC because we are a complaint organisation.

    Over the last 4 years, NWSC has remitted a total of 174Billion UGX to the tax Authority.
    NWSC is also seeded among the top 30 tax payers in Uganda.