The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has recovered smuggled goods in Mbale in an operation carried out by the enforcement team in the area.

The URA declared on December 1, 2023, that following reports on continuous smuggling in some areas of Eastern Uganda, the Mbale enforcement team deployed in the surrounding areas had closed off several consolidation centres.

URA on its social media platform (X) identified some of the areas where operations were carried out as Pallisa, and Butebo where the smuggled items like 50 cartons of wheat flour and 30 bags of rice from Kenya were recovered.

The Authority noted that in Mbale, 23 tyres of Ling Long brand from China were recovered from a mini store along North Road, while in Bukwo, an Isuzu truck, registration number UBJ 379P was impounded with smuggled goods.

According to Onesmus Amwiine, an Enforcement Officer in Mbale, some drivers tried to evade but were arrested.

“The driver and his turn-boy took off with the keys to frustrate the taxman. Fortunately, this did not work. The vehicle was towed away to the URA offices,” Asiimwe said.

Asiimwe added that on verification, other items discovered include 185 cartons of golden wheat from Kenya, 54 cartons of Dunia wheat flour, and 30 bags of Mara rice made in Kenya.

Godson Mwesigye, the Manager of Enforcement Operations also warned truck owners on engaging in smuggling.

“If you have a truck, be sure of the driver you are recruiting and guide them on what to do, and keep monitoring your truck. Otherwise, if we get smuggled goods on your truck, you will forfeit it to the government,” Mwesigye noted.

Mwesigye also added that those continuously engaging in illicit trade will be penalized to ease facilitation for compliant taxpayers. The enforcement operations will also continue to ensure that Customs collects its due revenue this financial year.

A consolidation centre is a facility where a smuggler after successfully getting his contraband finally gathers it all together to do business.