By Annet Nantongo
Uganda Revenue Authority has launched the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) with South Sudan. This development was announced by URA in a public notice dated Thursday, November 21, 2024.
In the public notice, URA said that the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), on behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, officially launched ECTS on 13th November 2024. This new system is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the monitoring of cargo entering South Sudan.
The Electronic Cargo Tracking System is a regional information technology system developed to assist in the electronic tracking of transit goods for revenue authorities of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was advanced to not only account for cargo but also reduce transit time.
In the public notice, URA further informed the public, and traders with cargo shipments destined to South Sudan to ensure their goods are fitted with an electronic seal effective 01st December 2024.
“From 01st December 2024, all cargo shipments destined to South Sudan will be required to be fitted with an electronic seal. A sustainability fee of USD 100 will be charged per electronic seal, and this fee shall be paid at the time of booking,” noted Mr Asadu Kigozi Kisitu, the Ag. Commissioner Customs.
In order for everyone to familiarise themselves with the new system, URA will conduct a dry run between 15th and 30th November 2024.
For the success of this system, URA urged all stakeholders involved in cross-border trade to South Sudan, including importers, exporters, transporters, and customs agents, to ensure full compliance with the new system from the onset of full implementation of the system.
The introduction of this electronic system is a key step towards improving the management of transit cargo and enhancing the security and efficiency of supply chains in South Sudan.
RECTS, operationalised in 2014, is one of the trade facilitation initiatives that were largely advanced by funding partners through Trade Mark East Africa. South Sudan is now the latest East African country to adopt the technology after Kenya and Rwanda’s adoption in 2014 and DRC in 2019.
This system uses GPS/GPRS technology which fits a tracking device onto target units such as box-body trucks, tankers, or containers ferrying goods under URA’s control. The device sends seal status, truck location and violation information to URA on a real-time basis.
“Once the seal is activated, cargo is monitored from start to destination. Now everything happening to cargo destined for South Sudan will be recorded and reported simultaneously with the location of occurrence,” added Mr Kisitu.
With this development, cargo security is enhanced because once the seal is tampered with, alerts will be sent immediately to the central monitoring centre via both email and SMS, to which URA will dispatch a rapid response team to address the alerts, even if cargo simply moves outside of the geo-fenced route.
