KAMPALA, Uganda – Uganda is in constant consultations with its neighbours in the five-member East African Community m(EAC) on the  gradual easing of all non-tarriff barriers (NTBS).
“Through regional and bilateral initiatives, a number of NTBs such as roadblocks have been addressed.  Uganda was granted a 100% waiver by Kenyan Government to remove Ugandan overstayed goods that were slated for auctioning at the Port of Mombasa. A similar arrangement has been agreed upon with Democratic Republic of Congo,” Amelia K Kyambadde, the trade and industry minister while briefing the media.
NTBs are any measure other than high import duties (tariffs) employed to restrict imports. These measures can include quotas, levies, embargoes, sanctions and other restrictions.
She said: “We have made significant progress in addressing NTBs related to the exportation of sugar to Kenya. This kind of reporting was initiated last year in July but up to now some people are not aware of it. We have made it easy where by everyone who can access a phone or internet is able to report any problem to us. We hope by doing this, we shall help our traders.”
The system uses mobile phones with access to MTN, UTL, Airtel or Orange networks or through the internet access url http://www.ntbool.mtic.co.ug. The system is then linked to various government ministries, departments, and agencies under whose mandate NTBs occur and who are responsible for their elimination.
The responsible institutions include Uganda National Roads Authority in charge if weighbridges, Uganda National Bureau of Standards in charge of standard inspection, Uganda Revenue Authority in charge of customs, directorate of citizenship and immigration in charge of immigration, Uganda police(directorate of operations and traffic) in charge of police roadblocks, Ministry of East African community affairs in charge of EAC affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal, industry and fisheries in charge of plant and animal inspection and Uganda Registration Services Bureau in charge of business licensing and registration.
The system can receive and respond to reports from anywhere in East Africa and beyond where MTN, UTL, AIRTEL and orange are accessible. This means the business people can report NTBs they face outside Uganda’s borders simply by using their mobile phones.
Kyambadde said many business people were being affected by  Non-tariff Barriers hence affecting the growth of trade in the country. She noted that most traders use middle men who charge those taxes that would be avoided if they traded directly.
Source: East African Business Week

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