By Alex Murungi
In a well executed 12-hour operation, URA ’s Team One enforcement intercepted smuggled goods worth more than UGX 100 million on MV Pemba at Port Bell, Luzira.
This intel-led anti-smuggling operation which began on September 9, 2024, and concluded on September 10, 2024 showcased the effectiveness of strategic espionage.
A URA informer gathered crucial intel on an incoming consignment of uncustomed goods from Nyanza, promptly relaying the information to Team One Enforcement. With swift action, customs officials boarded the ferry from Tanzania, unaware of the presence of smugglers. Under the guidance of URA’s water marshals, MV Pemba was redirected to the docking area, where all un customed goods were seized and transported to Nakawa Headquarters for verification and offense management.
The seized goods included a vast array of items, such as motor vehicle spare parts (15 cartons of motorcycle piston kits, valve sets, clutch pads, gasket sets, timing pads, piston rings, and more), food and household items (candy, chocolate, toothpaste, fishing lines, kids and adults t-shirts, Ukwaju fruit juice, herbal soap, and rice), and cosmetics (Inecto super black hair dye). Nine consignments belonging to nine suspected smugglers are now under lock and key at the Customs warehouse.
This successful operation underscores the critical role of intelligence gathering in combating smuggling and recovering tax revenue for Uganda. T
