The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and two Parliamentary Committees are set to immediately consult with traders to resolve the current stalemate, as directed by the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among.
During plenary on Tuesday, April 9, 2024,t he Speaker instructed URA and Parliament’s sectoral committees on trade, tourism and Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to engage traders in a bid to resolve the looming protests and report back to the August House on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Speaker Among stated, “My attention has been drawn to concerns raised by the business community about the implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System 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 relevant parties to amicably resolve the sticky issues for the good of the country.”
City traders initiated protests 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 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 public consultation on the taxes that we are going to pass,” She added
Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP), stated that his office had received a petition from traders protesting 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.