The Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Industry has today defended Uganda National Bureau of Standard’s proposal to levy a pre import tax on goods coming into Uganda from USA, UK, Canada and China among other countries.
In September last year, the Uganda National Bureau of Stands introduced the new tax scheme that requires importers to have all their goods inspected from their countries of origin to rid the Ugandan market of counterfeit products.
This was however angrily protested against by the members of business community in Uganda who claim they had been left in the planning process.
During the budget speech for 2010/2011, Finance Minister, Syda Bbumba revealed that the tax would be stayed pending consultation with different stakeholders.
However, the Trade minister, Fr. Simon Lokodo says that the tax should stay in a move to protect Ugandan consumers against counterfeits or substandard goods.