URA chief tells COSASE customs revenue rose after barring 'container leaders' from paying duties

Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner General John Musinguzi told Parliament's COSASE committee that daily customs collections had risen to about Shs20 billion after URA stopped intermediaries known as 'container leaders' from assessing and paying duties on behalf of small traders. He said the crackdown exposed under-declaration, with some containers abandoned at Mombasa. MPs raised concerns about losses, verification of rightful importers and complaints of harassment by customs staff.