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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 25099, member: 2262"] URA Warns Customs Agents Against Fraud. The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has warned customs agents not to engage in fraudulent activities. These activities include export fraud, Payment Reference Number (PRN) fraud, misdeclaration, concealment, and falsifying documents. URA Commissioner General John R. Musinguzi said that agents who are found guilty of these offenses may have their licenses taken away and face legal action. Musinguzi spoke to over 650 clearing agents at Hotel Africana. He urged industry leaders to report, dismiss, and prosecute corrupt agents to clean up the sector. "At URA, we do not tolerate corruption, and we have already lost a number of staff due to this. However, we recognize that corruption in customs cannot occur without the involvement of clearing agents. What have you done to stop it? Almost nothing," Musinguzi said. He also talked about a recent PRN fraud syndicate where some customs agents have been fraudulently receiving tax payments from clients without sending the money to the government. Instead, they allegedly work with URA staff to manipulate payment records, falsely showing that taxes have been paid. Acting Commissioner of the Customs Department, Hajji Asadu Kizito Kisitu, said that several agents' licenses have been revoked due to their involvement in corruption. Investigations into the affected companies are ongoing, and decisions on whether to give back or permanently revoke their licenses will be made once the investigations are finished. Musinguzi emphasized the important role of the clearing and forwarding sector in supporting Uganda's revenue collection efforts. He stressed that agents must be honest in their declarations and follow proper procedures. During the meeting, Charles Mwebembezi, President of the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders, asked for customs agents' licenses to be extended from one year to three years. He argued that renewing licenses every year is costly and time-consuming. Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, and URA attended the meeting. They are all working together to improve operations in the clearing and forwarding industry and eliminate corruption. [/QUOTE]

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