The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has introduced a new payment system for motorcycle registration fees in the West Nile region. This initiative aims to address the prevalent issue of unregistered motorcycles in the area.
Under the revised policy, motorcycle owners can now opt to pay registration fees in instalments over a period of up to six months. Additionally, the tax on motorcycle registration has been halved as part of this new arrangement.
Previously, motorcycle owners were required to pay 1.5 million Ugandan Shillings for registration, granting them a license plate. However, under the updated scheme, owners of numberless motorcycles will only need to pay 750,000 Ugandan Shillings.
Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance Planning and Economic Development, announced this temporary measure in response to a petition from local leaders in the West Nile sub-region.
According to URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi, the new system includes measures to track motorists who may not complete their payment, ensuring compliance through collaboration with Boda Boda associations.
In recent years, clashes between URA enforcement teams and the local community over the impounding of unregistered motorcycles have resulted in unfortunate fatalities. This initiative seeks to mitigate such tensions.
The West Nile region has long been associated with smuggling due to its porous borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Unregistered motorcycles are often favored by smugglers for illicit activities.
