Traders threaten to go back on strike. Their meeting with President Museveni ends Unfruitful.

KAMPALA-UGANDA: The Leaders in Kampala have threatened to rally traders to lock down their businesses again, feeling dissatisfied with President Museveni’s submissions.

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This was after a meeting with the president held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds yesterday following the Traders strike in the previous weeks protesting against exorbitant taxes imposed by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and the introduction of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) System.

In the meeting President Museveni told the traders that he had seen the EFRIS machine and used it, urging the traders to learn how to operate it or optionally use their smartphone.

“You don’t have to buy an EFRIS machine for Shs6 million. What’s the cost of a smartphone!? You can use a smartphone and buy a printer of Shs150, 000 to attach to it” said President Museveni.

President Museveni said that the NRM government has implemented a deliberate and strategic tax policy to develop an independent, integrated, and self-sufficient economy.

He thereafter directed the tax body URA not to insist on EFRIS machines allowing those who can buy it to buy and those who can’t afford to use alternative means with no penalty for not buying the machines.

The traders argue that President Museveni did not address any of their concerns about taxes, with him telling them to engage with the URA officials for clarification on the functionality of the EFRIS system.

According to the President of the Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA) John Kabanda, Some people are not eligible for VAT with a number of them illiterate, and the values are too high for them to use and remain in business.

“Many traders are “bayiribi” making it hard to handle the EFRIS system. Around 70% are not well educated, and they are not sure of their business’ survival. Additionally, the enforcers of this system are rude” said John Kabanda.

President Museveni further invited traders to return to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on 20th June 2024 after their leaders have engaged with the tax authority further on some aspects of the use of EFRIS.