By Joshua Niyonshima
Recently, a delegation from the Finance and Economic Planning committee of parliament went on a fact finding mission tour of the Uganda Revenue Authority border stations in Busia and Malaba.
The committee looked into border operations, challenges faced by Ugandan tax collectors at boarders, as well as observing the workings of initiatives like One Stop Border Post, Non-intrusive inspection, the Single Customs Territory and the Uganda Electronic Single Window.
According the URA Spokesperson, Ibrahim Bbossa, the tour was to fact check what government money has done for trade facilitation through the various initiatives and how the efforts are changing the face of cross border trade in the region.
He also emphasized the need for additional staffing among all sister agencies in the one-stop-border arrangement to increase the flow of trade.
“For us to be able to do a good job and create a quick turnaround time for any of our processes, staff and technology have to work together,” Bbossa said.
The Mps delegation led by the Committee Vice chairperson, Avul Jane Pacuto commended the role of OSBPs in improving customs clearing processes, eliminating tax crime, and promoting international trade.
“We have also realized that there is a lot of harmonization within the different departments of government. They are all under one building; we have customs, immigration, even the department of domestic taxes, and security, so the issue of risk is mitigated by bringing these entities together,” she added.
During her tour, she also noted the need Pacuto noted the need for a dedicated power line to mitigate the power outages around the border post.
“As we entered Busia, you could vividly see that there was a lot of traffic from trucks bringing in goods, taking out exports, or empties yet our roads are narrow.
As a committee, we shall have a grand meeting with different committees of infrastructure, health, trade, and tourism together with the Minister of works so we can present the government plan to broaden this road,” Hon. Avul observed.
