President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni met with leaders of traders from Kampala and other districts at State House Entebbe, in response to a recent strike that saw traders shutting their businesses over grievances related to the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) implemented by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

The traders expressed dissatisfaction with the EFRIS system’s impact on their businesses, particularly concerning the taxation measures it entails.

In an attempt to address these concerns, President Museveni announced that he would convene a meeting with technocrats from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, along with URA officials, on April 24, 2024, to engage in broader consultations.

Furthermore, the President has scheduled a follow-up meeting with the traders for May 7, 2024, at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to continue the dialogue. In an interim measure aimed at easing tensions, President Museveni directed the URA to suspend all penalties associated with the EFRIS system to allow for these consultations.

Encouraged by the President’s intervention, the trader leaders, including Mr. Kabanda John from the Federation of Uganda’s Traders Associations (FUTA) and Dr. Musoke Thadeus Agenda from the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), agreed to reopen their businesses. The meeting also saw the presence of Mr. Issa Ssekito, spokesperson for KACITA, among the delegation of 61 leaders.

This meeting marks a significant step towards resolving the standoff between the government and the trading community, with hopes that the upcoming discussions will yield practical solutions to the challenges posed by the new tax system.