Efforts by various Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement teams in Mutukula, Masaka, Madi Oepi and Elegu have netted several illicit traders, confiscating several smuggled goods, such as textiles, motorcycles, cigarettes, hair accessories, confectioneries and a motor vehicle.
In one of the enforcement operations, a Sino truck Reg. No. UBK 632X, was intercepted by the Mutukula team as it attempted to smuggle into the country, 1,024 rolls of assorted textiles and assorted hair extensions and braids from Tanzania.
Relatedly, a URA team confiscated 40 Motorcycles that had been illegally imported into the country, as well as intercepted 250 Bombas (5 Cartons) of Supermatch Cigarettes meant for Export, 12 jerry cans of cooking oil, 12 jerry cans of petrol, 15 cartons of Benny curry powder, 5 Cartons of Biscuits & 1 Carton of Colgate toothpaste.
In Masaka, a smuggler was intercepted in motor vehicle Reg. No. UAX 439F, a Toyota Ipsum loaded with 3,024 packets of Ivori sweets from Tanzania. The vehicle that had entered the country, through an ungazetted customs route, was intercepted around Matete, Sembabule district as it attempted to move the loot to Kampala.
The URA team in Elegu confiscated 31 cartons of smuggled Colgate toothpaste that was being transported by a Toyota Alphard Reg No. UBD 422U.
Relatedly, the URA Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) scanner equipment helped net a car importer who had underdeclared vehicle imports. The undeclared Mitsubishi Canter truck was netted by the Masaka Customs Office after the client presented a Bill of Lading with 5 units of Canter trucks, yet a cargo scanner showed six vehicles.
“The NII image indicated that the consignment contained 6 units yet the declaration had only 5. As a result, an alert was sent to the enforcement team to stop and check the consignment,” noted Ibrahim Bbossa, the URA spokesperson.
In accordance with Sections 200 and 203 of the EACMMA, an importer found to be 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. URA said that Duplex Forwarders who was the declarant for Rose Nabuuma, who neither included the canter in the Bill of Lading nor declared it for customs duties and taxes will be fined.
In the fiscal year 2022/23, customs enforcement operations across the country, recovered a total of UGX 132.77 billion through 14,187 seizures. Of these, 42.61% was under-declaration, in addition to misdescription/false documentation at 11.70%, outright smuggling, in addition at 7.11%, undervaluation at 4.54%, misclassification at 1.12 per cent, concealment at 0.60 per cent, and other offences at 32.96 per cent.
“The interception of the undeclared Mitsubishi Canter at Makasa Customs Office is not an isolated incident but serves as a poignant reminder of the complex challenges facing global customs operations. Investment in technologies like NII isn’t just a modern convenience but a vital necessity in locating hidden objects and stopping illegal activity because of its sophisticated imaging and analytic capabilities,” the tax authority said in a statement, adding, “URA urges clients to remain vigilant and comply with procedures that have been created to facilitate trade. In addition, the taxman will further sophisticate process automation with the latest technology with a continuous commitment to safeguarding national interests and borders”.