By Annet Nantongo
Uganda Revenue Authority has intensified efforts to maintain a levelled playing field for traders in Uganda. This comes after several enforcement operations that retrieved smuggled goods in Elegu, Busia, Busitema, Mirama Hills, and Katuna.
In a recent operation operation, the enforcement officers in Elegu recovered over 3,000 litres of smuggled fuel, 1,120 litres of smuggled cooking oil, and 17 motorcycles. The continued smuggling of fuel is notorious in the West Nile region, fuelled by the ever-growing numbers of youths that trade in illegal fuel to largely motorcycle riders.
In the same period, the team in Busia gathered intelligence on consolidation centers to recollect smuggled loot that seeps through many porous borders. Verification revealed 560 bars of Kibuyu bar soap of 10 kg, 24 cartons of Total classic lubricant, 420 bars of Kipepeo bar soap of 10 kg, 360 kg of Baraf long grain parboiled rice, and 625 kg of Sana long grain parboiled rice.
“Over time, smugglers would consolidate their loot and move with large numbers to the market places. However, the strategy has changed to braking bulky and then moving smaller quantities over a distance to avoid huge losses,” noted Simon Tumwesigye, the manager of enforcement in the Northern region.
In the ever-winding rolling hills of Rwanda and Kabale, information trickled through about a vintage vehicle that was planning to convey goods without paying the due taxes.
While remaining cognizant of the counterintelligence gathering by the smugglers, URA supplemented its intelligence with covert operations for two nights, leading to the impounding of a Corolla registration number UAE 217V “fully loaded” with textiles that were caught unawares just before entering Kabale town.
The vehicle was stocked with 150 pieces of Yarrison cotton men’s vests, 200 pieces of Lanima ladies’ biker shorts, 90 pieces of 120 D/2 mh polyester thread, 20 colored t-shirts, 120 pieces of ladies’ knickers, 180 pieces of ladies’ sweaters, 70 rolls of textiles, and 120 pieces of scarves.
In the same efforts, the Busitema team combed major consolidation centers and smuggling routes in the districts of Tororo, parts of Busia, and Butaleja, where the following interceptions were made:
1,348 kg of bales of used clothes, 936 kg of Dunia Wheat Flour, 100 pcs of Kitenge Fabric Material, 71 rolls of fabric, 625 kg of Sana Parboiled Rice, and over 1,192 kg of contraband Fishing Gear, with three motorcycles that were used as means of conveyance.
In accordance with Sections 200 and 203 of the EACCMA, an importer found 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. As a result, the motorcycles and vehicles used as the means of conveyance were seized for investigation and offense management.
URA remains committed to the duty of protecting society from the adverse effects of the contraband goods while protecting legitimate traders and manufacturers from market distortions created by supplies of these smuggled contrabands.
