By Amos Ssemuwemba and Teddy Namayanja
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has seized a massive consignment of smuggled cigarettes worth billions of shillings this afternoon. The contraband totaling to 1721 bombas, 10 packets, and 20 sticks of super match cigarettes, was intercepted at Malaba boarder.
A newly recruited informant tipped off authorities about a suspicious vehicle, no UBN 672Y, allegedly involved in illicit activities prompting the Malaba enforcement team to swing into action, intercepting the vehicle before it could escape their surveillance net. The driver, a cunning individual who had evaded capture multiple times by disguising himself in smart attires, was finally caught off guard.
“A brief chase through the streets of Toronto town ensued, ending with the driver’s arrest behind the Criminal Prosecution Services (CPS), Tororo building” read part of a statement posted on URA’s X page former twitter.
The driver, along with his cargo were taken into custody and transported to Kampala for further investigation and prosecution.
The seized cigarettes were manufactured in neighboring countries and smuggled into Uganda through porous orders. URA officials believe the syndicate has been operating for some years, depriving the country of vital revenue.
This operation marks a major victory for URA’s anti-smuggling campaign, sending a strong message to would –be tax evaders. The use of real- time intelligence and swift action outsmarted the smugglers, thus dealing with significant knockback to their illicit operations.
“URA will continue to tighten the noose on smuggling syndicates. The public is therefore urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities”. Read part of the statement on X.
On top of reducing excise revenues, smuggling has a spillover effect to VAT and income taxes, as underground transactions replace legal ones. Other commonly smuggled items are textiles and fabrics cooking oil, lubricants and pens, engine oil, used shoes and cement.
According to URA Uganda loses $270,000 per day to smuggling approximately 1bn Ugandan shillings.
