Freight forwarders association elects new board members

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The Uganda Freight Forwarders Association (UFFA) has filled vacant board positions following elections during its 23rd Annual General Meeting.

The newly elected members include Paul Higiro, who assumed the position of vice-chairperson, having previously served as the general secretary. The meeting was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on Friday, March 28, 2025.

Other board members retained their positions, with Phoebe Muathe continuing as the treasurer and Charles Mwebembezi serving as the chairperson. Mwebembezi, who is also the chairperson of the Federation of East Africa Freight Forwarding Associations (FEAFFA), took on the regional role in 2024 when Uganda assumed leadership.

Continuing board members are John Kutyabami, Abert Mwebembezi, and Louise Kamuhangire. With 200 members, UFFA represents more than 90% of Uganda’s import and export trade, a sector that is crucial to the country’s economy. Mwebembezi emphasised the need for continued financial contributions from members to ensure the sustainability of the association.

“We are committed to promoting professionalism and compliance across the freight forwarding industry,” Mwebembezi said. “Our members engage with transporters, Inland Container Depot (ICD) operators, warehousing services, and other key stakeholders in the logistics and freight forwarding sector.”

He highlighted the association's close cooperation with several government bodies, including the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), National Drug Authority (NDA), and ministries such as Finance, Trade, and Works. UFFA plays a significant role in facilitating business activities for these agencies.

Mwebembezi addressed concerns raised by members about high tax rates. He noted that some government entities are not business-oriented, which can create challenges for clearing and forwarding firms.

Additionally, he pointed out the ongoing insecurity in South Sudan, which has negatively impacted businesses operating in the region. Many transporters and clearing agents are wary of travelling to South Sudan due to safety concerns.

James Malinzi, the assistant commissioner for risk management in the Customs Department at URA, reaffirmed the strong collaboration between URA and clearing and forwarding firms. Malinzi emphasised that URA licences these firms based on their performance, professionalism, and compliance with regulations. Malinzi acknowledged the vital role freight forwarders play in collecting customs duties.

Malinzi, the assistant commissioner risk management customs department URA. (Photo by John Odyek)

“Delays in clearing goods and services can sometimes be a challenge, either due to a shortage of human resources at URA or inefficiencies within the firms themselves,” Malinzi said.

“However, we are improving efficiency through increased automation, which reduces human interface and accelerates the clearance process.”

Malinzi urged freight forwarders to initiate the clearance process at the Port of Mombasa as soon as goods are en route to Uganda. Delays often occur when agents wait until goods arrive in Kampala before beginning the clearance process.

"The freight forwarders are responsible for initiating the declaration of goods before they reach URA for payment of taxes. Any delays in this process affect the entire operation and lead to delays in delivery. We encourage UFFA members to declare goods at the Mombasa Port promptly to prevent additional costs such as demurrage fees," Malinzi explained.

Hussein Kiddedde, a former UFFA chairperson and member of the UFFA advisory council, shared insights into training initiatives aimed at elevating industry standards.

Over 2,500 freight forwarders in Uganda have completed the East African Customs and Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate (EACFFPC), while the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) Diploma provides globally recognised credentials to enhance professional standards within Uganda’s freight logistics sector.

Kiddedde noted that these efforts are not only focused on customs brokerage but also aim to broaden the skill set of freight forwarders to handle a variety of logistics services beyond traditional customs duties.

UFFA’s core objectives include capacity building, training, advocacy, lobbying, dissemination of transport logistics information, and membership growth.