"If you're planning to import used cars that are 15 years and over, you have around September, and you will not be able. Kateshumbwa said URA is dedicated to ensuring that the nation's environment is free from any sort of pollution especially that emanating from second hand vehicles. The environmental levy will be collected by the Uganda Revenue Authority before positioning of the car. Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner for Customs, Dicksons Kateshumbwa stated for ecological reasons, importation of automobiles above 15 years will probably be stopped. In the financial year 2018/2019, authorities is looking at mobilizing about Shs 16,358.8 Billion by Domestic Revenue Mobilization of which Shs 15,938.8 Billion is going to be accumulated by URA as tax revenue along with Shs 420 Billion as Non Tax Revenue. He said later September, URA will commence on the execution of the new proposed tax steps for Non Tax Earnings for the Fiscal year 2018/2019. Government under the new Traffic and Road Safety Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 tabled before parliament, suggests that a person who imports a motor car that's five years old or longer from the date of manufacture will cover an environmental levy on that vehicle.
It's however feared that the ban will lead to loss of jobs since the sector has been employing many Ugandans particularly the youth who are most next hand car dealers. Marvin Ayebale, the Secretary General of Association of Motor Agents in Uganda stated any suggestion to this effect should be carried out in phases in order to permit Ugandans to correct so. He added that at the moment many Ugandans cannot afford brand new cars. One of the proposed tax measure for Non Tax Revenue to the fiscal year 2018/2019 that the tax agency will be implementing include the increase on motor vehicles first registration fees which was pushed out of UGX1.Million to UGX1.3 Million shillings. "We are not against the government's proposal of banning the importation of second-hand automobiles but additional time ought to be given to the traders since a few are made orders to the vehicles from Japan and other countries. If the government implements this proposal, car traders will be impacted," he clarified. Under the proposed steps, government plans to ban imports of automobiles 15 decades and above from the entire year of fabrication on justification it is targeted at protecting the environment from being polluted from the heavy pollutants created by such cars.
