URA Tightens Enforcement of Guidelines for Licensed Customs Bonded Warehouses

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has announced the immediate enforcement of stricter guidelines governing the management and operation of all licensed Customs Bonded Warehouses, warning that non-compliance will attract severe penalties, including automatic cancellation of operating licenses.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, URA said the measures are aimed at strengthening accountability, security, and compliance within bonded warehouse operations.

Under the new enforcement framework, all licensed warehouse operators are required to implement strict access control systems to record the identity, purpose of access, and valid identification of every person entering or exiting bonded warehouse premises. URA further directed that all staff and visitors must wear reflector jackets at all times while inside bonded warehouses.

URA also ordered warehouse operators to formalize the identification of all loaders and casual workers. These workers must be issued with distinct uniforms, unique identification numbers, and be fully registered with updated records, including photographs and National Identification Numbers (NINs).

On the safety and accountability of goods, URA emphasized that all items stored in bonded warehouses remain under customs control. Warehouse keepers are required to produce all warehoused goods upon request by customs officers.

The authority warned that any loss, substitution, or failure to account for goods constitutes an offence under Section 67 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), attracting penalties, payment of duties, and possible revocation of warehouse licenses.

URA further directed that bonded warehouses must maintain adequate and functional facilities and equipment to support customs operations, including goods examination, record-keeping, and proper storage, in line with Section 64 of the EACCMA.

According to URA, compliance will be monitored through regular inspections and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which will directly inform the renewal of bonded warehouse licenses for 2027 and subsequent years.

“Any failure to comply will trigger enforcement measures, including penalties and the automatic cancellation of the license,” the notice warned.

URA Commissioner General John Rujoki Musinguzi urged all licensed bonded warehouse operators to take immediate steps to comply with the new requirements.

Musinguzi called upon all Customs Bonded Warehouse operators to strengthen internal controls, tighten access management systems and ensure full accountability for goods under customs supervision to avoid license revocation.

“We will not hesitate to take enforcement measures, including license revocation, where operators fail to meet the required standards,” warned Musinguzi.