By Frank Kamuntu
Uganda Revenue Authority is set to collect over 27 million shillings from contraband that was recovered from a smuggler in Buwenge Jinja district on Saturday.
The interception according to Ologe Daniel, a URA officer in the region, was in response to a tip-off from one of their reliable sources regarding a Toyota Regius, registration number UAT 296T, that was trying to deliver contraband to a landing site in Kamuli.
“The driver’s attempts to hide the car were futile as he was exposed by our informer network,” Ologe said.
Thorough verification revealed 327 pieces of polycotton rolls, 300 pieces of polycotton kitenge fabric, and 200 pieces of cotton kitenge fabric, all made in China.
Additionally, the team recovered two cartons of 40 kilograms of Muhamood and Zabib rice made in Pakistan.
According to the East African Community Common External Tariff (EAC-CET), importation of rice outside the East African Community (EAC) is subject to import duty at a rate of 75%, while rice sourced from within the EAC attracts 0% import duty.
Additionally, smuggling is an offense as stipulated under Section 200 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA).
The estimated recovery of taxes and fines from this operation is UGX27,465,112, and application of the maximum penalty on the means of conveyance will yield UGX 19,390,000.
