By Henry Kwaligonza
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) recently launched Smart Gates to facilitate faster clearance through enhanced traffic control at the Eldoret Fuel depot.
The Smart Gates under the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) project are tools that will facilitate faster clearance, turnaround time of trucks at the oil installations and ease fleet management by oil stakeholders since bookings are online.
The initiative will also facilitate proper planning by pipeline officers in terms of expected trucks scheduled for loading with minimum delays given that most customs’ documentation will be prepared in advance.
This development was launched by representatives from the two Customs administrations at the fourth Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting held in Malaba.
Julius Nkwasire, the Assistant Commissioner Enforcement noted that since the smart gate technology addresses the long queues at the depots, Uganda plans to install them at its border points in the near future to ensure a seamless flow of goods and services from one country to the other. He was leading URA’s delegation together with Victoria Nabitaka – the Assistant Commissioner Compliance & Business Analysis
The bilateral meeting sought to enhance cooperation between URA and KRA in the areas of Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking (RECTS), Enforcement and Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) Programs.
The KRA Deputy Commissioner Scanners & Cargo monitoring, Susan Wanjohi underscored the TWG as the most active in the region synonymous with enhancing joint action in solving common regional problems. Importantly, the co-operation enhanced by the TWG is in line with the countries’ Heads of state vision of achieving a borderless East African Community (EAC).
Nabitaka hailed the move to incorporate the NII Team into the TWG noting that this has facilitated free flow and exchange of information.
Prior to the URA – KRA Bi-lateral meeting, KRA hosted the Ugandan Non- Intrusive Inspection (NII) team for a benchmarking visit on the KRA’s NII operations in Nairobi.
Additional Reporting by Annet Nantongo
