President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni engaged in a significant dialogue today with the leadership of traders from Kampala and various upcountry districts at State House Entebbe.
This session followed a recent strike staged by traders, who temporarily shuttered their businesses in protest against the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)’s rollout of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS).
The heart of the discussions revolved around the taxation framework affecting their enterprises, particularly focusing on the implications of the EFRIS system. President Museveni assured the traders of forthcoming engagements by scheduling a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, alongside URA, slated for April 24, 2024, aimed at broader consultations.
Furthermore, the President committed to convening with all traders on May 7, 2024, at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to delve deeper into the matter. To facilitate a conducive environment for dialogue, President Museveni directed the URA to temporarily halt penalties, allowing for more extensive consultations.
In a show of cooperation, the traders’ leadership, represented by a delegation of 61 leaders led by Mr. Kabanda John of the Federation of Uganda’s Traders Associations (FUTA) and Dr. Musoke Thadeus Agenda from the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), reached a consensus to resume business activities while maintaining ongoing consultations with the government.
The meeting also saw the presence of Mr. Issa Ssekito, the Spokesperson of KACITA, underscoring the significance of the discussions in bridging the gap between traders and the authorities.