Following several complaints from local manufacturers about loss of market for their goods due to increased smuggling, the Mbale enforcement went back to the trenches to comb the all suburbs of Eastern of all un scrupulous business.
In Kapchorwa, a truck registration number UBJ914L was founded loaded with 150 cartons of Pembe Wheat flour, made in Kenya. There was also another truck carrying 130 bags of Kenyan re-bagged rice trying heading to the Ugandan route.
The operation did not stop there. They moved back to Mbale and here they got smuggled 192 litres of assorted Total and Shell Lubricants. Another catch also discovered 80 cartons of Dunia Wheat flour made in Kenya.
In Busia, the team received intelligence leads on taxis that had been ferrying illicit goods as passengers. During the ambush, the team landed on two taxis and upon verification, the following items were discovered; 44 bags of 25 Kilograms, supreme long grain biryani rice, 30 cartons of 12 packs and 2 kilograms of Pembe wheat flour.
All these items were intercepted and driven to the URA offices in Mbale and Busia offices respectively pending offence management
Ibrahim Bbossa, the URA Spokesperson continues to encourage all taxpayers to desist from engaging in illicit trade that not only affects revenue collection but also affects legitimate traders.
“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 affirmed.
Additional Reporting by Immaculate Wanyenze
