Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has reiterated its commitment towards driving an independent economy free from foreign financing.

John Musinguzi, URA commissioner general, said that this goal could only be achieved through joint efforts to eliminate corruption and put an end to unnecessary bureaucracy.

Musinguzi, speaking on Thursday, February 6, 2025, while addressing URA clearing agents under their umbrella Federation of Uganda Customs Agents & Freight Forwarders (FUCAFF) at Hotel Africana, said that Ugandans must run towards economic independence and wean off borrowing in order to achieve this goal.

“We must change how we transact business and change starts with URA and customs agents,” Musinguzi said.

According to him, URA is the only agency that has been mandated to collect revenue on behalf of the government.

Uganda’s tax GDP ratio is at 13.5% yet the advisable rate is 20 percent; hence, it is at this rate that the country can reduce borrowing and work towards economic liberation, especially at a time when foreign resources are fast diminishing.

Director General, Federation of Uganda Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders (FUCAFF) Charles Ekweru emphasized that integrity should be the priority of every clearing agent.

‘‘We must embrace professionalism and take our fraternity to the next level, for example, when aggrieved, we don’t need to run to social media to cry out; instead, let’s follow the objection process and dialogue,’’ Ekweru said.

During the meeting, Jennifer Mwijukye, Chairperson of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), shared recommendations on how URA can improve compliance among premium taxpayers within the clearing sector.

The Federation of Uganda Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders (FUCAFF), established in 2009, is a membership-based organization dedicated to enhancing the clearance of goods through customs procedures, coordinating with carriers, and providing assistance in shipping, delivery, and forwarding.