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URA asks Kenya to ease access for clearing agents
Mr Dicksons Kateshumbwa, the URA commissioner customs
What you need to know:
- Mr Hussein Kiddedde, the Uganda Freight Forwarders Association chairperson, said the industry should exercise professionalism and integrity because it is the basis on which its success will be defined.
Kampala. Uganda Revenue Authority has asked the Kenya tax agency (Kenya Revenue Authority) to allow Ugandan clearing and forwarding professionals have easy access to systems just like how it has been done in Uganda.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ninth graduation of the East Africa Customs and Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate, Mr Dicksons Kateshumbwa, the URA commissioner customs, said already more than 1,000 Kenyan clearing and forwarding professionals have access to systems that clear cargo destined for Uganda.
However, this is not the same for Uganda clearing professionals in Kenya.
Over the years, clearing and forwarding agents in Uganda, have complained of being barred from accessing Kenya systems that clear cargo.
This they say, has resulted into huge losses as they are unable to access listed opportunities.
Mr Kateshumbwa said he would write to Kenya Revenue Authority asking for access to be granted to Ugandan clearing and forwarding agents.
“They [Kenya Revenue Authority] have to reciprocate because already [Kenyan] professionals have access to our systems and they are doing business already. So we expect the same treatment rendered to our professionals,” he said.
Mr Hussein Kiddedde, the Uganda Freight Forwarders Association chairperson, said the industry should exercise professionalism and integrity because it is the basis on which its success will be defined.
Uganda, according to Mr Kateshumwa, has about 1,371 trained clearing and forwarding professionals.
These, he said, were a critical mass the agenda to professionalise and development of the industry.
Mr Kateshumwa also emphasised integrity in an industry that involves transiting cargo worth billions of shillings.
Barred from access
Over the years, clearing and forwarding agents in Uganda, have complained of being barred from accessing Kenya systems that clear cargo, yet according to URA more than 1,000 Kenyan professionals access systems that clear cargo destined for Uganda.
