Nine new companies have been granted Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status bringing the total number of AEOs in Uganda to eighty-four. Of the 84, 31 have regional (East Africa Community) AEO status. The companies that were awarded with this highly coveted status include; Transpaper Limited, Vivo Energy Uganda Limited, Sino Trans Logistics Uganda Ltd, Euroflex Limited, ESL Uganda Limited, RI Distributors Limited, Kakira Sugar Ltd, White Showmans Ltd, Rwenzori Bottling Company Ltd.
While officiating the ceremony in Ssendawula Hall at the URA tower yesterday, John R. Musinguzi, the Commissioner General, celebrated the AEOs for choosing voluntary compliance adding that this distinction is indeed befitting of their status.
“I greatly appreciate our 12-year AEO journey. As URA, we have embarked on financial independence of our country. AEOs contribute 26% of the total taxes we collect. I would like to therefore commend for moving the journey of developing Uganda with us,” applauded the CG.
The AEO agents who were present yesterday called for increased involvement of other regulatory agencies in the AEO program.
Abel Kagumire, Commissioner Customs, pointed out that the AEO program started in 2008 with a pilot program which ended in 2013 with 10 operators. Now in its 12th year, the programme which is in line with the WCO SAFE Framework, has grown to 84members.
Uganda has since concluded a mutual recognition agreement with China for the AEOs. India & South Africa are also willing to recognise the mutual AEOs.
Kagumire further pointed out that URA’s five-year corporate strategy envisages having 200 AEOs in the next 2yrs with the hope that they can grow revenue to fund 50% of Uganda’s budget while the other 50% can then be contributed by the rest of Uganda’s taxpayers.
While responding to issues raised at the meeting, the Commissioner Customs alluded to the assistance of Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) to automate the AEO Programme.
Pearl Bank Celebrates Customers in Festive Campaign Dubbed Pearl SantaDamali Ssali, the Ag. Country director for TMEA re-echoed the need to aautomate and diversify the AEO system so that the process of identifying, rating and approving members becomes easy.
“Automation will also give small players an opportunity to become AEOs because they won’t need to go through very heavy processes to qualify,” said Ssali.
A technical working Group with representation from different agencies under the Single Window framework was created to fast track the process.
About AEO scheme
Uganda Revenue Authority commenced the implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme in 2008 under its modernization program with the setup of the AEO Task team to research, develop, pilot and implement the scheme.
The AEO status gives the client a privileged position (Authorization) when transacting business with Uganda Revenue Authority and other Customs Administrations with whom mutual recognition arrangement has been established.
