By Our Reporter
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has intensified its efforts to combat smuggling across the country, executing a series of high-impact enforcement operations that led to the seizure of contraband textiles, rice, and smartphones in separate incidents.
In Sironko District, what appeared to be an ordinary truckload of cabbages turned out to be a cleverly disguised smuggling attempt. Enforcement officers from URA’s Mbale Enforcement and Border Control Team intercepted an Isuzu truck that was secretly transporting undeclared textile goods from Kenya.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering, URA received actionable information on April 28, 2025, indicating that a known smuggler was planning to move illegal textiles through porous border points. Acting swiftly, the team implemented a targeted surveillance operation that led to the interception of the truck, registration number UBN 233K, in Nalugugu on April 29.
A thorough inspection revealed 2,318.15 square meters of polyester curtain netting and 2,834.75 square meters of polyester curtain material concealed beneath the cabbages. Under Section 199 of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004 (as amended), the owner of the vehicle faces a fine of up to USD 5,000.
In a separate but related crackdown, URA’s Busitema-based enforcement team on May 10 foiled a smuggling attempt involving 75 bags of rice in Butema, Bugiri District.
Acting on a tip-off, the team discovered a storage facility where the rice was being prepared for illegal transportation to Kampala. The seizure included 75 bags of assorted 25kg premium rice and six 40kg packages of Hilal Premium Basmati rice, all originating from Pakistan. Since the goods are imported from outside the East African Community, they are subject to a 75% import duty. The importer is now required to pay the due taxes along with penalties for attempted smuggling.
Further operations on May 11 in Namungodi Trading Centre, Busia District, resulted in the confiscation of 233 undeclared smartphones. Investigations into the origin and intended distribution of the electronics are ongoing, with offence management currently underway.
