Kasese — The Uganda Revenue Authority has urged residents of Kasese District to pay their taxes by using established customs avenues when importing their goods.

Speaking at a half day workshop on Rental tax in Kasese on February 8, Mr Asadu Kisitu Kigozi, the URA officer in Customs in the district, said petty traders were not declaring their goods to customs officials for evaluation but instead preferred using short cuts commonly known as panya routes.

"As a citizen, you have an obligation to declare what you bring in the country," he said. Some of the traders had complained about harassment by revenue officers who also fine them heavily over a few pieces of smuggled goods from the DR Congo.

Mr Kisitu said the heavy fines were for tax evasion. He said the impromptu road blocks which they also complained about were being erected in response to reports from informers.

He also defended the use of guns saying some of the tax evaders are also armed. The traders complained that the taxes were too high.