Officials from South Sudan and Uganda convened in Kampala on Monday to deliberate on tactics for mitigating revenue losses along their shared borders, particularly aiming to enhance non-oil revenue collection.
Among the attendees were John Musinguzi, Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), and Africano Mande, Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority. The agenda also encompassed discussions regarding the introduction of a new cargo tracking system.
Additionally, discussions centered around the implementation of a new cargo tracking system to improve border control and revenue management.
Mande emphasised the importance of combating fraud and stopping individuals from impersonating officials to extort traders.
This underscores the necessity for stringent measures to maintain integrity and fairness in trade activities along the borders between South Sudan and Uganda.
“I have tasked our people to profile the gaps we have in customs so that we can benefit from your experience. We do not want to invent a new model but rather run from the existing ones in the region,” he stated.
Okaka Geoffrey, Assistant Commissioner for Field Services at the URA, stressed the importance of working together and raising awareness among stakeholders.
“We shall have to sensitise sector players like associations, transporters, and taxpayers.
“We need this sensitisation for the smooth implementation and adoption of the system,” he remarked.
ALSO READ: President of France Emmanuel Macron backs bill allowing medically assisted death