A MAGAZINE FOR THE UGANDA FREIGHT FORWARDERS ASSOCIATION ISSUE N0. 2 Hon. Amelia Kyambadde Talks Trade, Non-Tariff Barriers and government commitment to reduce the cost of doing business. Single Customs Territory will be a success- Minister Bageine Implementing Asycuda World SPECIAL FEATURE: Why Entebbe is the at URA most expensive airport One of the initiatives being in Africa implemented by the Customs Freight Forwarder www.freightforwardermagazine.com Issue 2, 2013 Business Systems Enhancement Project 1 AND SO MUCH MORE INSIDE Centenary Bank Head Office: Mapeera House, Plot 44-46 Kampala Road & Plot 2 Burton Street. P. O. Box 1892 Kampala Tel: 0414-4251276/7 Fax: 0414 - 251273/4 E-mail: [email protected] www.centenarybank.co.ug FOREWORD This year, the Association recorded some commendable success in its activities. Dear readers, in 2015 following implementation of the our stake holders, I wish to extend I am pleased to bring to you the second Single Customs Territory (SCT), if their special gratitude and appreciation edition of our biannual publication, The licenses are to be recognized in other to our Development Partners who Freight Forwarder Magazine. The theme member states of EAC who have already have contributed tremendously to the of this issue is “Reducing the cost of implemented the policy. development of the association as well doing business”. This is backed by the as the industry. These includeTradeMark various articles inside the magazine that This year, the Association recorded East Africa (TMEA), USAID, InWent. The are in line with this theme, for example some commendable success in its same goes to close partners, Uganda the introduction of the single customs activities. The actively subscribing Revenue Authority (URA), Ministry of territory in the East African Community, members increased from 85 in 2012 East African Community Affairs (MEACA), removal of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) to 97 by the end of last year. This is an Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry to trade, revamping of the railway line accomplishment given the fact that the of Finance and Economic Development, and the continued initiatives by Uganda Executive Committee EXCOM(Board) set Private Sector Foundation Uganda Revenue Authority to improve their online a minimum target of recruiting 5 new (PSFU) among others. clearance of goods. members each year and to maintain our market share target at above 85%. Last but not least, I wish to appreciate In this regard, the Association also, in and thank our members - the reason its continued bid to professsionalize I wish to extend special thanks to UFFA we exist - and stake holders who the industry by equipping it’s members Executive Committee (EXCOM), our board have continued to play an important with knowledge to appreciate our role as members, for their diligent support and role in the success of this publication. trade facilitators, saw a total admission commitment that they have accorded the UFFA extends her gratitude to all the of 588 students into our Kampala association in their various capacities, companies and organizations that and border classes for the East Africa throughout last year. I take this have contributed advertisements and Customs Clearing and Freight Forwarding opportunity to encourage our members sponsored pages and articles, it is Practicing Certificate (EACFFPC). Over to support the EXCOM and Secretariat through these means that we continue to 90% of the students passed their to serve them better by remaining produce this magazine. I therefore make exams there by increasing the number interactive with them in order for the a personal appeal to all stake holders of trained personnel for the freight association to achieve its objectives. to enrich this publication by using this logistics industry. It is hoped that by the Largely, the objectives aim to achieve in magazine to reach our readership with end of June 2014 Uganda should have our individual businesses, association, their product. achieved its critical mass of 800 trained industry and the Nation. personnel, at least two in each licensed I THANK YOU ALL. Company. The certificate will also be Since this magazine is one of the key a mandatory requirement for licensing channels of communication with companies as Customs Agents in Uganda Freight Forwarder www.freightforwardermagazine.com 3 Issue 2, 2013 Centenary Bank Head Office: Mapeera House, Plot 44-46 Kampala Road & Plot 2 Burton Street. P. O. Box 1892 Kampala Tel: 0414-4251276/7 Fax: 0414 - 251273/4 E-mail: [email protected] www.centenarybank.co.ug EASTERN AFRICA CUSTOMS AND FREIGHT FORWARDING PRACTICING CERTIFICATE CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (COC) APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR INDIVIDUALS This Certificate of Competence shall be awarded to qualifying individuals in the freight forwarding industry in any one of the EAC partner states. 1.ELIGIBILITY 2.2 Applicants are required to attach copies of any supporting For any applicant to be awarded the Certificate of Competence documents bearing in mind that they may be called upon to produce shall fulfil all the following requirements: the original for verification. They are also required to attach a recent clear coloured passport size photograph. 1.1 Applicant must be at least forty five (45) years of age (a copy of identification card or passport is to be attached). 2.3 Applicants may be required to attend a seminar/s before issuance of the certificate,as shall be determined by National Curriculum 1.2 Must be a practising freight Forwarder with minimum Implementation Committee (NCIC) and may be required to meet of fifteen years experience. related costs. 1.3 Must attend/ have attended two relevant seminars as shall 2.4 Upon issuance of the certificate or rejection of the application, be prescribed. the applicant shall be notified through the respective national associations. The decision shall be final. 1.4 Must be recommended by respective National Curriculum Implementation Committees (NCIC). 3.REFEREES It is mandatory for the Application Form to be signed by two referees. 2.APPLICATION PROCEDURE The referees must have known the applicant, in a business context, 2.1.1 Applicants are requested to carefully read the application for a minimum of ten years prior to the date of application. Referees guidelines before completing the Application Form. If any information must not be related. The verifying body may contact the referees is found to be incorrect, then the application will automatically be named in the application form. rejected or will lead to automatic cancellation of the COC in the event that it is already issued. 4. APPLICATION FEE The applicant shall pay a non refundable fee of United States Dollars 2.1.2 The completed Application Form together with copies of any five hundred (USD 500) using a bankers’ cheque in favour of FEAFFA, supporting documents is to be submitted to the applicant’s which shall be payable at the time of submitting the application form. National Association, which shall verify the application to certify the correctness of the information on the basis of which it shall 5. CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS recommend to NCIC for approval or rejection of the application. The closing date for receipt of application of Certificate of Competence shall be a year after commencement. 2.1.3 Recommendation by the National Association is an essential but not the only condition for the award of the certificate. 6. RECOGNITION The COC shall be recognised in the EAC Region. 2.1.4 NCIC shall vet the applications and either recommend for issuance of the certificate or reject and return the application to the National Freight Forwarder Association. www.freightforwardermagazine.com 4 Issue 2, 2013 EDITORIAL BOARD Merian Sebunya INTRODUCTION Chairperson, Uganda Freight Forwarders’ Association EASTERN AFRICA CUSTOMS AND FREIGHT Jenier Mwijukye General Secretary, Uganda Freight Forwarders’ Association FORWARDING PRACTICING CERTIFICATE Bernard Ology Chief Execuitve Ocer Charm Media Africa Emmanuel Ochai CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (COC) Project Head, The Freight Forwarder Simon Ngari Growth APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR INDIVIDUALS Client Service Manager, Charm Media Africa This Certificate of Competence shall be awarded to qualifying individuals in the freight forwarding continues in industry in any one of the EAC partner states. CHARM MEDIA LTD Publisher & CEO Bernard Ology the logistics Head of Publishing Emmanuela Ochai Editor Billy Rwothungeyo Administration Nalule Faridah Contributing Editor Joseph Olanyo industry Senior Sales Manager Simon Ngari Senior Sales Executive James Odeke Production Assistant Patrick Kilenga Two of the most prolific ministers in Uganda issue of The Freight Forwarder and she focuses Front Cover Artwork Hon. Amelia Kyambadde form our primary story in this issue of The on the organisation’s ‘Developing Uganda Freight Forwarder. With secured investments Through Trade Support’ to promote the call for and on-going trade expansion projects, greater support in order to obtain more and SUBSCRIPTION these two ministers are showcasing their better sector and economic growth. The Freight Forwarder is published two times a year and is commitment in reducing the cost of doing Monday’s interview forms part of our Preferred available for FREE to companies and individuals on our business in Uganda and the region – essential Bank section which features an innovative mailing list or by subscription for $50 for a year which includes on-line membership access. for the growth of the economy. bank