President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday paused the implementation of the Uganda Revenue Authority’s (URA) Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) which had triggered the traders in Kampala and the upcountry districts to close their businesses as a means of a peaceful protest.
On the fifth day of the traders’ strike, President Museveni agreed to meet and hold discussions with the leadership of traders at State House Entebbe.
The discussions mainly centered on the taxation levied on their businesses, especially the EFRIS system.
During the meeting, the President informed the traders that he will meet the technocrats from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and URA on the 24th, April 2024 for wider consultations.
The President also noted that he will then meet with all the traders on 7th May 2024 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
President Museveni further directed that all penalties should be suspended by the URA for the meantime to give room for wider consultations.
The leaders of the traders agreed to reopen their businesses as they continue to consult further with the government.
The delegation of 61 leaders was led by Kabanda John, the leader of the Federation of Uganda’s Traders Associations (FUTA) and Dr. Musoke Thadeus Nagenda, the leader of Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA).
The meeting was also attended by Issa Ssekito, the Spokesperson of KACITA, among others.