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Kampala, (UG):- President Museveni Tuesday postponed his meeting with traders that was initially scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2024, to July 31, 2024, according to a joint statement released by the traders’ leaders.
The postponement followed an emergency meeting summoned by the President on Tuesday, in which he said he was yet to receive the reports he had asked for about the issues raised by the traders.
Mr Nsubuga Herbert, the spokesperson of the United Attires Traders Association who attended the meeting said one of the issues raised is the longstanding dispute over the Uganda Revenue Authority’s (URA) Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS).
According to Nsubuga, the President asked the traders to be patient while he gathered information about their concerns to come up with an informed decision.
“We can’t achieve anything if he is still receiving information on our concerns to come up with proper guidance on issues we raised when we met in Kololo on May 7, 2024,” Nsubuga said, adding that they will ask their members to be patient until the President is ready to meet them on July 31 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
The Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) Chairman Mr Musoke Thadeus and the Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA) leader, Mr John Kabanda both underscored the importance of giving the President more time to make a thorough investigation of the issues reported by the traders to come up with the final resolution.
The President first met the traders in a general meeting at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on 7th May 2024 where they raised concerns over the challenges they face as they carry out their businesses.
Traders had shut down their shops in Kampala’s Central Business District and other districts nationwide accusing URA of being high-handed in enforcing the use of EFRIS, which was rolled out in 2021 to enhance business efficiency, reduce the burdens of compliance, and usher in a new era of meticulous record-keeping.
After the meeting with traders at Kololo, it was resolved that they would meet again in June for the president to give them more guidance.