By Joshua Niyonshima
On Thursday, the Uganda Revenue Authority destroyed 180 tons of contraband goods valued at more than a billion shillings at Nakasongola, Luweero industries. The goods which included cosmetics with hydroquinone substances, used undergarments, expired beers, sex toys, and foodstuffs were impounded by enforcement teams across the country from different operations.
According to the Manager of Customs Warehousing, Canon Rahuka Milton, the exercise is meant to deter the re-occurrence of such illegal activities and prevent the return of products to the market. It is also aimed at protecting Ugandans from the consumption of harmful products.
“Our major job as URA is not to impound goods, it is to collect revenue for national development. However, we are also committed to protecting the health and safety of Ugandans by removing harmful and prohibited goods from the market. For instance, cosmetics that have the hydroquinone mercury substance that causes cancer,” Rahuka explained.
The destruction of goods is in accordance with sections 18 and 248 of the East African Community Customs Management Act(EACCMA). The goods destroyed were valued at UGX 1,097,896,196,01 and the would-be taxes on these goods amounted to UGX 1,044,732,093.53.
Rahuka urged Ugandans to stop investing in contraband as URA has upped its game in deterring the entry of prohibited goods into the country through modern technologies like Non-Intrusive Inspection, increased surveillance, and intelligence-led enforcement operations.
