On Wednesday 29th May 2024 Customs Management together with representatives from Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) met the United Association of Salted Fish Importers, Exporters and Transporters to discuss the recent trend of fish from South Sudan and Kenya intended for the Ugandan market being exported to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) instead.
The association leadership attributed this to the Uganda Revenue Authority's (URA) high tariff rates, which have compelled the traders to hunt for other markets in which to sell the goods.
“The DRC charges us per truck, but Uganda charges us USD. 0.2 per kilogram (kg). This indicates that Congo will charge us approximately UGX.6,500,000 and URA will charge us almost UGX12,000,000 million for the same consignment,” Nankunda Andrew a representative from the association explained.
Although URA reduced the taxes from USD 0.6 to USD 0.2 per Kg, the traders requested the tax body to further reduce this Customs value to USD 0.1 per kg in order to revitalize the struggling fish industry in the country.
Inspite of the fact that the Republic of South Sudan is part of the East African Community, it is not part of the East African Customs Union, as a result, imports from the country are not given preferential treatment as other member countries of the union.
“I understand the challenges that you are facing and we are here to find ways of facilitating you. The issue of high tariffs on South Sudan fish will be resolved once they join the Customs union,” Abel Kagumire, the Commissioner Customs Department stated.
He also urged the traders to be compliant by submitting the required documentation to prevent delays in Customs clearance that could result in revenue losses for both the traders and government due to rancid fish. Kagumire pledged to regularly engage with the traders in order to address any issues that may arise and have an impact on their business.
Addressing the challenges of the delegation, Lt. Col Mercy Addah Tukahirwa, the Commander of the Fisheries Protection Unit added that the major focus is the re-opening of the Export Zone Mpondwe Lhubiriha market which has been closed since September last year due to terror threats by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) to the community.
“I want Mpondwe market to be re-opened. The business and border community operating in Mpondwe has greatly been affected by the closure of the market,” she stated.
Correspondence by Jacinta Obore Mirembe, Customs Planning.