Traders in Iganga, a bustling commercial hub in eastern Uganda, have joined their counterparts across the country in a protest against new tax regulations, bringing business activities to a standstill.
The demonstration stems from dissatisfaction with the implementation of the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS) by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), perceived as burdensome and ill-explained.
Saidi Mukova, a trader in Iganga, expressed frustration, stating that many traders, predominantly low-income earners, lack adequate understanding of EFRIS and its implications.
“Traders should have been sensitized about the system’s operation before its imposition, rather than it being abruptly introduced,” Mukova emphasized.
Under EFRIS, buyers must receive receipts for purchases exceeding Shs450,000, with penalties for non-compliance reaching as high as Shs50 million, a burden traders find excessive.
As part of the protest, traders took to the streets, urging President Museveni’s intervention to alleviate their tax burdens.
The strike disrupted not only business activities but also transportation services, affecting taxi operators who rely on traders for passengers.
Abdallah Waibi, Chairman of Iganga Taxi Operators and Driver’s Association, highlighted the plight of taxi operators, who faced a dearth of passengers due to the strike.
Police presence was heightened in Iganga to forestall any potential violence arising from the protest, ensuring public safety amid the demonstration.
