Over 400 traders can finally breathe a sigh of relief after the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) intervened to release their goods, which had been unlawfully held by container leaders for more than three months.
The consignments, 11 in total, had been stuck at Kenfreight Inland Container Depot (ICD) since September.
The problem began when cargo consolidated by Credify Africa Limited was held under the names of “container leaders” Joshua Kisaka and Annet Namanda.
Under the “groupage” system, the duo allegedly collected millions of shillings meant for import duties but never remitted the funds, leaving traders stranded as demurrage fees continued to accumulate. 
In what URA described as a timely Christmas gift to traders, the agency stepped in to resolve the backlog.
The affected traders had petitioned URA CG John R. Musinguzi, who, in turn, requested the Uganda National Bureau of Standards—through the Minister of Finance—to waive inspection fees and penalties, a request that was granted.
Robert Kalumba, Assistant Commissioner of Public and Corporate Affairs, clarified that container leaders handle only shipping logistics, while tax obligations remain the direct responsibility of individual traders in coordination with URA.
With House Bills now issued to bypass middlemen, the goods are being returned to their rightful owners to complete the clearance process.
“URA has worked tirelessly to ensure that all affected traders get their goods. Together with the Customs team at Kenfreight ICD, most, if not all, the traders were able to identify their goods,” said Nicholas Muganga, Supervisor, Customs Warehousing.
For Proscovia Katushabe, a textile trader in Kikuubo, the release ends months of stress. “We thank URA for helping us get our goods,” she said.
