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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 30273, member: 2262"] South Sudan faces big security problems that hurt Uganda's shipping businesses. Trucks can't easily move goods into South Sudan anymore. Charles Mwebembezi leads the Uganda Freight Forwarders Association and worries about these problems. He visited South Sudan two months ago when things seemed okay. His clients call him because their cargo has gone missing. This hurts Uganda's money and businesses' earnings from trade with South Sudan. The trouble started when the peace deal between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar fell apart. Machar is currently under house arrest. His party claims this arrest breaks the peace deal completely and might bring back fighting. Many Uganda companies sell products to South Sudan. Uganda's shipping companies add a lot to the country's tax money. These freight companies help collect taxes through customs clearance. They work as helpers for the Uganda Revenue Authority to ensure rules are followed and money is received. Hussein Kidede from UFFA says their group handles over 85% of freight movements in Uganda. UFFA includes many types of shipping businesses, such as customs clearance, transport, shipping terminals, and warehouses. Mwebembezi explains that UFFA plays a key role in tax collection. Without them, the Uganda Revenue Authority would struggle to do its job. The freight forwarders talk directly with importers and exporters to help this process work smoothly. He thinks UFFA contributes about 80% to this system. James Malinzi works as an Assistant Commissioner at the Uganda Revenue Authority. He agrees that tax collection depends on freight forwarders. They help collect around 35% of the national tax target. Every customs collection involves these shipping professionals. Uganda's shipping industry has started to become more professional lately. The Uganda Freight Forwarders Association launched the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations Diploma on March 10. This marks a big step toward better standards. This diploma is recognized in over 100 countries around the world. It gives Ugandan workers an international qualification. Approved FIATA Association Members run this program worldwide, including UFFA in Uganda. Hussein Kidede says this helps their people become professionals who can work beyond just customs. UFFA also runs the East African Community Customs Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate. This program has trained more than 2,500 workers in the past 15 years. This regional program happens because freight companies and tax authorities work together. It teaches professionals about customs procedures and international standards. [/QUOTE]

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