Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) says it has trained 45 customs clearing agents in an event held in Jinja City with integrity at the heart of the engagement.

The session covered customs processes, the role of clearing agents, anti-smuggling, and customs valuation.

URA Supervisor for Jinja Customs, Vivienne Namusoke, hailed clearing agents as “key partners in trade facilitation,” noting that compliance benefits both URA and the business community.

Supervisor Customs Enforcement Eastern, Elvis Kairanga, urged agents to steer clear of shortcuts: “You can help your clients make money without playing dirty games. Work with integrity and honesty and we will have absolutely no issue with you.”

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Officer In Charge Customs, Gerald Engalu, took participants through customs valuation and the dos and don’ts of clearing work, stressing that integrity is a shared responsibility between URA and clearing agents.

“The training reaffirms URA’s commitment to stronger partnerships, compliance, and integrity in customs operations,” the Authority said on Wednesday.

There are over 500 licensed customs clearing and forwarding agency firms operating in Uganda, according to the Uganda Clearing Industry and Forwarding Association (UCIFA).

The association is regulated by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).