Brewers, URA discuss strategies to combat sale of illicit alcohol

Adu Rando, the Managing Director of Nile Breweries Limited and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner General John Musinguzi have discussed strategies for combating the sale of illicit alcohol.

Rando, who was accompanied by Emmanuel Mugisha, the firm’s spokesperson, also requested URA’s assistance in negotiating a reduction in the rate of digital tax stamps as well as the new taxation regime on beer.

He noted that the current regime, which taxes the sector based on the alcohol percentage, is suffocating the industry.

In response, Musinguzi affirmed URA’s readiness to support the alcohol giant and commended its contribution to revenue and the sector at large.

“As URA, we are committed to supporting Nile Breweries Limited, particularly on issues related to illicit and unstamped alcohol. We will also learn from our neighbors in Tanzania about their parameters so that we can negotiate for a reduction in tax stamp rates,” said Musinguzi.

He also indicated that the URA has heightened enforcement across the country to check unstamped drinks.

“We have deployed staff on the enforcement project to comb markets and shops for unstamped goods,” the Commissioner General revealed.