By Kamugisha Kabahweza Allan
Uganda Revenue Authority Customs enforcement team impounded a Fuso truck in Jinja with over two tons of rice that was concealed under sugarcanes.
Customs officer Philip Ofubo explained that his team erected a checkpoint in Jinja last Wednesday night due to increased smuggling in Eastern Uganda during the festive season, and the check points are fruitful as they are impounding smuggled goods.
“Last night at our checkpoint here at Jinja, we managed to impound M/V registration no. UBA 419G a Fuso which was seemingly conveying sugarcanes. But upon thorough checking, we discovered that the sugarcanes were a mere camouflage as the actual goods being conveyed where beneath the sugarcanes,” Ofubo narrated.
The URA enforcement team also arrested the smuggler, a one Mutebi Fred who confessed to buying the merchandise from Kenya and ferried them on boda bodas to Kakira sugar plantation.
Ofubo said that the smuggler hired the Fuso truck to convey the merchandise to Lugazi for sell unaware of the URA checkpoint along the route.
“When we impounded the truck, we ordered the driver to drive to our base and upon verification, we found 2,025 Kgs of Baraf and Sana rice, 4 bales of Kitenge fabric, seven and a half cartons of motor vehicle tyre bonding gum and 80 Kgs of used shoes.
The URA Jinja enforcement team emphasized that they are committed to ensuring 100% deterrence of any form of illicit trade in the area.
