The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and two Parliamentary Committees are to conduct immediate consultation with traders in an attempt to resolve the current stalemate as directed by the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among.
While chairing the plenary session on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, Speaker Among directed URA and Parliament’s sectoral committee on trade and tourism and Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to amicably engage the traders to resolve the protest and report back to the August House on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
“My attention has been drawn to concerns raised by the business community about the implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS) by the Uganda Revenue Authority. I am also aware that a harmonization meeting has been scheduled by His Excellency the President with the business community. I urge all the relevant parties to amicably resolve the sticky issues on the matter for the good of the country,” Speaker Among said.
The city traders went into protest on Monday, April 8, 2024, over the alleged unfair taxation policy of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS), enforced by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
She urged URA to consider a wide consultation with traders and other residents before introducing any taxation policies for ease of implementation.
“So, we need to understand; we need to consult the stakeholders to this effect so that we make laws and taxes that favor the country… I want to see an advertisement that there will be a public consultation on the taxes that we are going to pass,” Speaker Among noted.
Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), said that his office has received a petition from traders in protest of the taxation policies by the Uganda Revenue Authority.
Muhammed Nsereko, the Kampala Central MP, blamed URA for not sensitizing traders before introducing EFRIS, a move that he said was responsible for the demonstrations from traders.
Shops housed in arcades such as Mini Price, Modern, Giant, Translink, Corner House, Kikuubo, Galiraya, Majestic Plaza, Kati Kati, People’s Plaza, and Gazaland, among others, were reopened on Tuesday.
