The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Anite Among has ordered the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to clarify the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) to the Kikuubo traders for a better work relationship between the two. The speaker made the above order during the parliamentary session that took place on April 9, 2024.
This comes after the Kampala traders in Kikuubo organized a protest on April 8, 2024, against the high taxes levied on them and the introduction of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS) by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
The speaker insisted that URA should educate and sensitize the traders and the public at large about the new tax system.
“EFRIS is not a tax but a system of tax collection and administration. URA should take time to educate and guide the traders and public about the new tax system to improve compliance and acceptability during the taxation process.” Anita stated.
The URA spokesperson, Ibrahim Bbosa explained that the EFRIS is to serve as a business tool for the business person and it will also guide URA in managing and monitoring Value Added Tax (VAT).
“This system is designed to assist businesses in managing and organizing transactions and their bookkeeping while ensuring compliance with taxation requirements.” He stated
The President of Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) Thaddeus Musoke stated that the approach used by URA is wrong and should be corrected.
“The traders have refused to accept the EFRIS system because most of them have no idea of how it will work for their business and therefore mistaking it as a tax. URA thinks the traders want to evade taxes which is not true.” Musooke said
President Museveni is set to meet with the Kikuubo traders and URA officials on April 12, 2024, to discuss the outcome of the EFRIS system.
