The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has announced a major relief for Ugandan importers after the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) introduced an 80 percent waiver on storage charges for containers that have overstayed at the Port of Mombasa.
The waiver, which took effect on October 15, 2025, applies to all transit containers that have remained at the port for more than 21 days. It will remain in force until November 6, 2025.
According to URA, the decision follows negotiations between the two regional authorities aimed at easing the financial burden on traders and decongesting the port.
URA advised all Ugandan traders with affected cargo to formally apply to the Kenya Ports Authority in order to benefit from the waiver before the deadline.
The Authority warned that containers not cleared within the amnesty period would be transferred to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD) at the owner’s expense. Once moved, these containers will attract normal storage charges, calculated from the date of their arrival at Mombasa.
URA also reminded traders that this is a temporary amnesty, and no further extensions are guaranteed after November 6.
Reacting to the development, Ms. Olive Kigongo, President of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI), hailed the waiver as a “timely and much-needed intervention” for the Ugandan business community.
“This is a welcome relief for our traders who have been struggling with high storage and logistical costs,” Ms. Kigongo said.
“We urge all our members to act swiftly and take advantage of this opportunity to clear their goods and decongest the port.”
She added that the faster clearance of cargo will reduce operational costs, improve cash flow, and enhance trade efficiency for importers and distributors.
“Let us not wait until the last minute. The Chamber is actively engaging with both URA and KPA to ensure our traders benefit fully from this initiative,” she emphasized.
Trade analysts say the waiver is part of wider efforts by the East African Community (EAC) to improve logistics efficiency along the Northern Corridor, which links Mombasa Port to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and eastern DRC.
The corridor has long been affected by congestion, delays, and high handling costs — challenges that have raised the price of imported goods in landlocked countries like Uganda.
Ms. Kigongo reaffirmed UNCCI’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with regional bodies to reduce trade barriers and promote competitiveness for Ugandan enterprises.
“Collaborative initiatives like this not only support traders but also promote smoother trade flows and regional economic growth,” she said.
Key Details at a Glance
• Waiver: 80% off port storage charges
• Applies to: Transit containers at Mombasa for over 21 days
• Effective Date: October 15, 2025
• Deadline: November 6, 2025
• Action Required: Traders must apply directly to KPA through formal channels
• Penalty for Delay: Containers will be moved to Naivasha ICD at owners’ expense
This development marks another step toward improving regional cooperation in trade logistics. With import volumes continuing to rise, both URA and KPA have pledged to streamline operations and minimize the costs of doing business within the East African Community.
For Ugandan traders, the message is clear: act fast, apply early, and save big before the amnesty window closes.
