By Kamugisha Kabahweza Allan
Last weekend the URA enforcement team in Mbale impounded four motor vehicles and eight motorcycles which were conveying smuggled goods that included wheat flour, sugar and cement.
URA customs officer, Luke Kivumbi said that smugglers had resorted to using motorcycles and small cars to ferry the contraband from the consolidation stores.
“After hitting them hard, the notorious smugglers from the areas of Bukwo and Kapchorwa have resorted to offloading their loot in consolidated stores in Kaserem and Kamu villages from where they ferry to final destinations using small vehicles and motorcycles,” said Kivumbi.
Four vehicles including three Fuso trucks with registration numbers KDB 674Y, UBE 128M, and UAY 105G, as well as a Toyota Carib UAP 803D, were seized. Eight motorcycles were also taken into custody; six of them had number plates registered in Kenya.
Upon inspection, it was discovered that these were transporting 250 kg of sugar, 69 cartons of wheat, and 600 bags of Kenyan cement.
A similar operation was conducted on January 24 where a Fuso truck carrying contraband was intercepted. Paul Karatunga the Supervisor Customs Enforcement for the Eastern Region stated that the offender in this instance will be required to pay UGX 48,794,756 in taxes and penalties.
Despite smugglers’ ever-changing tactics, Karatunga notes that URA has increased intelligence-led targeted operations at the porous borders in addition to targeting consolidation centers.
According to sections 199(iii) and 200 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), the owner of a means of conveyance used in smuggling is liable to a fine not exceeding USD 5,000.
