URA chief Kagina

By Paul Watala and Egessa Hajusu

THE Uganda and Kenya revenue authorities will start clearing goods under one roof when the one-stop border point initiative commences.

“The concept is being implemented at the Malaba border post and will reduce on the time spent clearing goods from days to hours,” Allen Kagina, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commisioner General, said.

“Joint verification of cargo is limited to three items - cigarettes, spirits and used motor vehicles.

“The one-stop border post concept will help us to reduce the time taken to clear goods and enhance service delivery.”

She added that work to improve infrastructure at Malaba border had already started.

Kagina was addressing clearing agents, local leaders, URA staff and a delegation from the Kenya Revenue Authority at Jereh Hotel in Busia town last week.

Justas Obura, the Busia clearing agents chairperson, expressed concern over Kenya’s protectionist tendencies.

He claimed Uganda’s exports to Kenya were being overtaxed to make them less competitive.

“This increases the retail sale price of Ugandan goods to discourages buyers,” Obura said.