URA issues new passenger clearance rules at Entebbe Airport

The new rules offer guidance to travellers on taxable and non-taxable items or restricted ones as well as those which are illegal.

According to the new rules, any arriving passenger at Entebbe Airport, upon collection of his or her personal baggage, will either be cleared through the green channel where one has nothing to declare to customs, or the red channel for passengers with dutiable or restricted goods.

Passengers with nothing to declare to customs (URA) are those who have goods for personal use not exceeding the value of $500 (about sh1.8m).

However, the passenger is advised to have an authentic receipt confirming the value that corresponds with the items.

Passengers with goods whose value exceeds $2,000 about (sh7m) will require the services of a clearing agent which be done through the cargo terminal.

Passengers who come into the country with money in excess of $10,000 about (sh36m) are advised to report to customs and declare the money in their possession.

There has been public outcry about the extortion of money from passengers, intimidation and other unprofessional acts by some staff at the airport.

The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority released a statement distancing itself from the acts of some of its staff members and promised to take action.

“We have noted various trending social media videos highlighting cases of alleged extortion of money from passengers through the Entebbe International Airport. Uganda Civil Authority does not in anyway condone such acts, and where such acts have happened, it is highly regrettable and unacceptable,” the statement read in part.

It further read: “We would like to assure the public that previously reported cases with specific details have been thoroughly investigated, and where staff of various agencies operating at the airport were found culpable, serious disciplinary action was taken including termination of contracts and withdrawal of airport access passes from them.”