Robert Kalumba, the Ag Assistant Commissioner of Public and Corporate Affairs at URA
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has invited victims of container leaders in a move aimed at safeguarding traders from all forms of exploitation and creating efficiency within the systems.
Since April 2025, URA has embarked on a process to streamline the clearance of groupage cargo, aimed at protecting traders from exploitation, improving efficiency in the clearing process, and safeguarding government revenue.
“URA warmly invites all importers who have brought in goods under groupage and have experienced delays in receiving their shipments due to ‘alleged delays’ in customs processing to kindly come forward and present the relevant documents for their goods,” reads a notice issued on Friday. “Our goal is to ensure transparency and fairness, helping you avoid unnecessary delays and the risk of being overcharged in taxes by middlemen (container leaders).”
According to URA, “the authority is aware of individuals who imported these goods on your behalf but in their names and are now holding you hostage by demanding exorbitant taxes (e.g., alleging UGX 5.5 million per CBM), spreading false information (e.g., that the URA has increased taxes), fraudulently claiming ownership of goods, and deliberately declaring false documents to cause delays and manipulate the clearance process.”
“The URA categorically refutes the above claims. Your cooperation is vital in safeguarding your interests and promoting a trustworthy trading environment. We therefore invite you to come to the office of the Manager of Warehousing, NIP Building, Nakawa, URA Headquarters, or contact us via our toll-free number at 0800117000 or 0417442442 or email hkwaligonza@ura.go.ug or rkalumba@ura.go.ug,” URA adds in a statement.
Alleged suspensions
The Ag Assistant Commissioner of Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, also touched on the ongoing rumors regarding staff that have been suspended, with talk that they were removed to create space for relatives to come and work.
“Such talk is idle,” said Kalumba. “Our systems are not that rudimentary! All staff that have been suspended are to go through the whole process that’s outlined in our HR Manual to verify all the accusations before any final decisions are made. The rest of the stories you are hearing regarding this issue are malicious and diversionary. Our focus is raising sufficient revenue so as to keep our country away from dependency on borrowing,” said Kalumba.
For a long time, the president has raised the issue of integrity among the staff of the URA. Following that, some staff have been suspended to pave the way for investigations, with the URA ensuring that steps have been taken to ensure that corruption and revenue leakages are no more.
