Uganda set to roll out modern customs system

Uganda is to roll out a modern customs system, which has been piloted in Jinja, to the rest of the country.
Time Aerospace thumbnail

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) automated system for customs data (ASYCUDA) allows traders to submit their declarations from anywhere via the internet.

The Kampala Observer report quotes Joseph Mwangala, project manager customs business enhancement project, saying people in Entebbe would be able to make the first customs declarations on the system by mid-April.

“We have tested the system at Jinja customs and found it to be working satisfactorily,” he said. “The pilot in Jinja enabled us to detect minor challenges, which have since been solved and we expect no hiccups as the systems spreads to the rest of the country."

After implementation in Entebbe, the system will be ready for use in border stations like Malaba, Busia, Mbale, Lwakhakha, Suam River, Katuna, and Mutukula before the Kampala Customs Business Centre in June, 2013.

Thereafter, it will be available at stations like Busunga, Kyanika, Mirama Hills, Kikagati, Kamwezi, Oraba,Vurra, Elegu and Arua. Others to be connected are Goli, Paidha, Busitema, Corner Kamdin, Pakwach, Koboko, Lia, Lokung, Madi-Opei, Mbarara, Moyo, Mpondwe, Ntoroko, Kasese, Ishasha, and Butiaba.

Mwangala said: “The system gives clients the opportunity to electronically submit declarations and electronic movement of documents through the declaration process. This means that the rate of transaction is highly enhanced.”