The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has given individual importers more time to reclaim goods stuck in customs warehouses due to unresolved group container issues. The relief window, which runs until June 30, 2025, aims to support genuine traders affected by the actions of non-compliant group leaders.
URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi announced the relief measure during a meeting at URA headquarters. He said importers who provide valid affidavits confirming ownership of their cargo will be allowed to pay the necessary taxes and reclaim their goods.
Musinguzi told container leaders, freight forwarders and members of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) that over 130 containers remain impounded at different customs points across the country. The seizures followed failures by group leaders to declare goods correctly or meet tax obligations.
“Many traders were inadvertently affected after container leaders failed to declare their goods or settle the required taxes,” he noted. “As a result, penalties accumulated over time, placing an unfair burden on compliant importers. This arrangement is designed to offer those individuals a path to resolve the matter and recover their goods.”
The intervention builds on earlier reforms that require all members of group shipments to declare goods under individual Tax Identification Numbers (TINs). More than 3,400 shipments have since been cleared under this system.
Acting Commissioner for Customs Hajji Kisitu Asadu said the initiative not only eases pressure on traders but also supports domestic revenue collection efforts.
KACITA spokesperson Issa Sekitto welcomed the measure and urged group leaders to act responsibly.
“Some leaders are doing a good job, but a few are putting traders at risk, stock is running out, and businesses are struggling. This kind of misconduct must stop.”
