IMMACULATE WANYENZE & IRENE KABAKAMA
With the current economic constraints, some Ugandans have resorted to the shady ways of survival especially through smuggling to dodge tax. However, the Taxman is alert and has intensified on surveillance for wider coverage of porous borders through speed boats, drones and intelligence.
Through intelligence networks deployed recently in the areas of kapchorwa, Mbale, Moroto and Busia, the URA team one intercepted a number of smugglers with rice, wheat flour and cosmetics.
In Kapchorwa at around 3:00am, a truck of wheat flour was intercepted escaping to Moroto. Unfortunately, the driver and turn man took off. Upon verification, it was discovered that the truck had been loaded with 130 cartons and 12 packets of Pembe wheat flour from Kenya.
In another field operation in Kapchorwa , a seasoned smuggler was netted with 82 cartons of Pembe flour. Before the interception, the smuggler, also a Local council one leader in Kapchorwa packed his flour on a pick-up (UAW948F) with ease knowing no one was after him. Unfortunately, he had been seen loading his “cargo”.
The URA team disguised in a private car as tourists and trailed him while he exchanged pleasantries with the traffic police.
“When we approached him, he imagined we were also going to shake hands with him. His eyes became red, the old man knelt down and begged us to forgive him in vain,” Onesmus Amwiine, URA ’s officer during the operation narrated.
In Busia, 104 bags of rice of 25kgs, Sana long grain from Pakistan was impounded. These had been hidden awaiting transfer to Kampala for quick sales. Like most of the operations, the owners took off and abandoned their goods. Rice is one of the highly smuggled goods that is locally produced in Uganda. Those who import, pay high taxes because of the need to protect the local industries.
On Wednesday in Mengo, URA ‘s enforcement Team one impounded a super custom packed with lightening creams. Here, two suspects were arrested and their vehicle was impounded. The two suspects were taken to police and upon interrogation they denied charges. These have since been released on police bond as URA awaits the owner. However, upon verification of the super custom, 254 packets of assorted lightening creams were got.
Ibrahim Bbossa, the URA Spokesperson explains that continuous importation of such products not only affects health but also affects the taxes URA collects for improved service delivery.
“There are bad practices we have come across as a revenue mobiliser where people are engaging in illicit trade and contraband products. These products do not pay taxes and it is incumbent on us as a revenue mobiliser to work with other government agencies to take action,” Bbossa said.
