The Uganda Free Zones and Export Promotions Authority (UFZEPA), in partnership with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), is conducting a training session for Free Zone Developers, Operators, and their Clearing Agents to strengthen tax compliance and improve understanding of the tax incentives available to businesses operating in Free Zones.
The workshop focused on Customs, Domestic Taxes, and other tax matters affecting Free Zone operations, with particular emphasis on disseminating information about new tax proposals, tax compliance requirements, and procedures for accessing available tax incentives.
The engagement is intended to equip Free Zone stakeholders with the necessary knowledge to meet their tax obligations while taking advantage of incentives designed to promote investment, production and export growth.
Speaking during the training, Catherine Muyama Bikingi, the Exports Manager at the Uganda Revenue Authority, emphasised the responsibility that comes with benefiting from tax incentives, noting that businesses must use the opportunities to build sustainable enterprises and produce goods that can compete in international markets.
“Free Zone Operators are not simply the ones that enjoy incentives but are those who use those incentives to build responsible and sustainable businesses and make products that meet the global destination market standards,” Bikingi said.
The training also gives developers, operators, and clearing agents an opportunity to engage with tax authorities on regulatory requirements, clarify compliance concerns, and better understand the tax framework governing Free Zones.
Through the partnership, UFZEPA and URA seek to strengthen collaboration with private-sector players, promote responsible business practices, and ensure that Free Zone operators maximise available incentives while contributing to Uganda’s export development agenda.
The initiative underscores the importance of tax knowledge and regulatory compliance in building competitive businesses capable of accessing regional and international markets.
