By Annet Nantongo
An interstate bus, registration number UBM743T belonging to Gateway Company, was intercepted at the Uganda Revenue Authority Central Bus Terminal (CBT) with 1125Kgs of concealed assorted garments and food stuffs.
Mr. Arthur Musinguzi, the supervisor Satellite stations received credible intelligence about a concealed compartment within the bus.
Following the operational procedure, when inter-state buses arrive at the station, the conductor/driver submits the Cargo Manifest with details of cargo loaded from the country of origin to the customs officers on duty to check the authenticity of the delivered documents and to confirm whether seals affixed on the buses are intact.
“All seals were whole and the bus qualified to be offloaded. It was during the search that we purposefully looked for the hidden compartment which we eventually uncovered,” noted Mr Musinguzi.
Some of the items recovered included 307 rolls of fabric and 203 pieces of assorted garments such as t-shirts, jackets, sweatpants, boxers, dresses, leggings, to mention but a few
Other items recovered included 96 packets of biscuits, 30 pieces of food seasoning, 24 olive oil bottles, 42 pieces of primo popcorn, 5 cartons of concentrate tomato puree, 288 tins of meat tuna, 5 cartons of spaghetti, and 20 tins of dry yeast, among others.
In a related development, the Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) cargo scanner unearthed a hidden electric motorcycle that was disguised in a makeshift box as part of the motorcycle spare parts being imported by Fahad Senfuka.
This discovery underscores the importance of utilizing cutting-edge technology in customs inspections to prevent smuggling, tax evasion, and other illicit activities.
Unlike previous practice where only officers physically inspected and verified cargo, today the NII scanner eases that job and also offers a thorough x-ray look into the entirety of the trucks/cars. In this case, information that was gathered from advanced imaging and analytical capabilities of the NII technology, triggered immediate action by the Jinja customs team to seize the consignment.
In accordance with Sections 200 and 203 of the EACMMA, an importer found to be in the act of concealing goods faces up to five years in prison or a fine equal to half of the dutiable worth of the items in question.
URA spokesperson, Mr Ibrahim Bbossa noted that the Taxman remains committed to safeguarding the national economy, security, and public health. He urged the public to remain vigilant and uphold the established procedures that facilitate legitimate trade while deterring illegal activities.
Additional reporting by Arthur Musinguzi and Suzan Harriet Nakabazzi
