URA lauds Manufacturers on DTS success

What the report says

The Uganda Revenue Authority has praised manufacturers for helping make its Digital Tax Stamps (DTS) programme work, following a Kampala engagement with the Uganda Manufacturers Association. According to Nile Post, the meeting was led on URA’s behalf by Commissioner for Corporate Services Richard Kariisa, who said compliance by manufacturers has helped government provide services and invest in development priorities. URA also said it plans to keep improving systems such as DTS and EFRIS to strengthen efficiency, transparency and fairness in tax administration.

DTS, which has been implemented since 2018 and is run by SICPA Uganda under URA, is used on selected products to help track production, confirm genuine goods and support excise duty collection. The article says the system applies to 13 product categories, including beverages, cement, tobacco, sugar and cooking oil. URA said the platform has helped close tax evasion gaps such as under-declaration of production volumes.

Nile Post reported that more than 1,680 manufacturers and importers are registered on the DTS portal. The report also said the system, together with EFRIS, contributed to a near 40% rise in domestic revenue collections in financial year 2024/25. URA told manufacturers that DTS-related costs can be treated as deductible expenses if records are kept properly.

The report adds that SICPA Uganda has supported URA through training for tax inspectors and by supplying enforcement devices. URA also noted that field enforcement remains difficult nationwide, and said stronger penalties are meant to support compliant businesses and deter evasion.