Outgoing Commissioner Customs, Richard Kamajugo (right) witnesses the signing ceremony of the MOU.
Uganda Clearing Industry and Forwarding Association (UCIFA) and the Uganda Freight Forwarders Association (UFFA) appended signatures to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently.
UCIFA boss, Kassim Omar said, ?We realized that there was need to harmonize operations, codes and ethics.?
?We needed a lobby and advocacy platform to strengthen our institutions through professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct?
Kassim referred to the MOU as an ?ice breaker? that would lead them to much higher levels.
Up until now, UCIFA and UFFA, said Kassim, were operating from ?different angles? and yet headed towards the same direction, which affected service delivery.
The need for closer cooperation between the two associations was driven by the desire to improve the levels of service in the industry.
According to UFFA boss, Jenifer Mwijukye, the two associations want to start cooperating on matters of mutual interest.
?The memorandum of understanding was a sign of commitment. It was meant to show that we are ready to cooperate,? Mwijukye said.
UCIFA and UFFA in the MOU agreed to cooperate on capacity building of their members, prevent unfair competition and contribute to the development of all relevant legislation and policy.
In addition, the two industry players recognized that they had to improve their capacity in order to remain competitive in the changing regional business dynamics.
Outgoing URA Commissioner Customs, Richard Kamajugo witnessed the signing of the MOU at Sheraton Hotel Kampala.
The signing occurred amid a farewell party URA Custom?s staff threw for Kamajugo.
The MOU was concluded after a series of meetings and discussions Kamajugo championed over the past three years.
It is the reason UCIFA and UFFA referred to the MOU as Kamajugo?s gift.
Commenting about the MOU, Kamajugo said it was a historic moment and the beginning a new chapter in the clearing industry in Uganda.
Source The New Vision
