By Akinyi Winiefred
URA enforcement officers in Nebbi seized over 3,000 liters of cooking oil that had been smuggled in from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 200 jerry cans of Nzuri cooking oil were impounded in the wee hours of Saturday morning at Nyaravur Trading Center. Cooking oil is one of the most smuggled commodities that enter Uganda through the different porous borders.
According to Frank Abaho, the head Pakwach Enforcement, they received intel about a trader loading smuggled cooking oil from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He planned to enter Uganda via Parombo Town using night cover.
“We immediately swung into action and laid an ambush at Nyaravur Trading Center and at 3:50 am, he appeared with his truck UBL 444U fully loaded,” Abaho narrates.
The driver fled into the nearby bushes, and his truck was escorted to the URA area station. Upon careful inspection, 200 jerry cans of Kenya-made Nzuri pure vegetable oil were discovered.
Smuggling is an offense according to the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) under Section 200. A person who commits this offense is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine equal to 50% of the dutiable value of the goods, or both.
Additionally, the owner of a means of conveyance used in smuggling is liable to a fine not exceeding USD 5,000.
Offence management is underway.
