A planned engagement between the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and traders ended prematurely on Tuesday after security concerns emerged over an alleged scheme by some individuals to disrupt the discussions and heckle Commissioner General John Musinguzi.
The meeting, held at URA headquarters in Nakawa, Kampala, was intended to provide a platform for businesspeople to raise concerns about taxation policies and challenges affecting their operations. Among the issues expected to dominate the discussions were the enforcement of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS), under-declaration of imported goods, the rising dollar and the increasing cost of doing business.
However, what was expected to be a constructive conversation between the tax authority and the business community turned into a disagreement after URA reportedly received intelligence indicating that some individuals intended to interrupt the meeting and embarrass its top leadership.
According to information gathered by the authority, certain individuals believed to be operating in downtown Kampala had allegedly infiltrated the traders’ group with plans to cause disorder during the engagement, including heckling Musinguzi when he addressed the participants.
In response to the reported security concerns, URA introduced additional measures at the entrance of the meeting venue, requiring participants to surrender their mobile phones to security personnel before being allowed inside. The arrangement was reportedly intended to minimise disruptions and maintain order throughout the engagement.
Although several traders accepted the requirement and handed over their phones, others strongly objected, questioning why they could not carry their devices into the meeting. The disagreement gradually intensified, with some participants reportedly persuading others to abandon the engagement.
The situation eventually escalated, leaving the planned discussions in disarray as traders walked out before the meeting could get underway. Some of those who remained later gathered within the URA premises to protest against the security arrangements, expressing dissatisfaction with the manner in which the engagement had been organised.
URA Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, expressed disappointment over the incident, saying the authority had organised the meeting in good faith to listen to traders and find solutions to the challenges affecting their businesses.
Kalumba explained that the restriction on mobile phones was part of the security arrangements intended to ensure a peaceful and focused discussion. He noted that many participants had understood the requirement and complied, but a section of individuals turned the matter into a source of disagreement.
He further observed that mobile phones can sometimes distract participants during important stakeholder engagements, where concentration and meaningful contributions are necessary to reach practical solutions.
“It’s disappointing that some so-called traders frustrated the genuine traders to have their issues addressed,” Kalumba said, regretting that the actions of a few individuals had denied other businesspeople an opportunity to present their concerns directly to the tax authority.
Despite the disruption, Kalumba emphasised that URA remains committed to maintaining a working relationship with traders, describing them as strategic stakeholders whose views are important in shaping tax administration and improving compliance.
“We are going to have another meeting. These are strategic stakeholders. However, within them exists some bad elements with different intentions,” he said.
The authority is expected to organise another meeting to give traders an opportunity to raise their concerns and engage directly with its leadership. The planned discussions are considered important at a time when businesspeople continue to question aspects of tax enforcement, particularly EFRIS implementation, importation procedures and the effects of currency fluctuations on their businesses.
URA maintains that dialogue remains the best way to address disagreements with the business community, with the authority expected to provide another opportunity for genuine traders to have their concerns heard without disruptions.
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