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URA Impounds Two Tonnes Of Dangerous Ladies Underwear

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has impounded two tonnes of deadly used ladies’ garments.

However, there are concerns that used underwear spread diseases including skin infections. It is for that reason that officials have been toying with the idea of banning their importation.

Although locally a decision is yet to be made, the region (East African Community) took a firm stance.

The East African Community Customs Management Act 2004 empowers the Council under section 18 and 19 to prohibit the importation of specified goods either generally or wholly or in relation to a specified state.

On June 20, 2010, the Council of ministers included used underwear on the list of prohibited items. Thereafter, due to lack of action, partner states were asked to enforce the law.

Accordingly, the URA Enforcement team have since the year began, impounded two tonnes of used ladies underwear after being tipped by vigilant Ugandans.

The URA  team on January 3rd, 2018 was informed about a truck carrying the prohibited items. It was from a bonded warehouse and was headed to Kampala.

Immediately, said URA spokesperson Vincent Seruma, an officer was asked to locate the truck.

It was found parked at along Nabugabo Lane in the so-called downtown Kampala.

On interrogation, the driver and clearing agent had no response for the items in the truck, which was driven to our head office, Seruma stated.

Physical verification unearthed 27 bales of used each weighing 43 kilograms.

Days later, the number rose to two tonnes after similar items were impounded by the same team.

Akin to the first incident, informers alerted Enforcement about a 40-feet container, which was loaded with used ladies underwear. And like the first one, it too had exited a bonded warehouse.

A team member was asked to trace and impound the vehicle. As the officer headed to the city centre, she provided more precise information.

The vehicle was parked at Kafumbe Mukasa Road near Lubiri High School, Seruma narrated.     Less than 25 minutes later, the officer beheld her prize-the vehicle, which was driven to the URA head office.

Verification done thereafter unearthed 15 Bales of used ladies underwear. Each of them weighed 74 kilograms.

The importers, Seruma said, would be prosecuted for flouting the law in addition to paying for their items destruction.

Last year, a Chinese, Mr Keliang Zhang, 35, appeared before Buganda Road Grade One magistrate, Ms Marion Mangeni over allegations of selling and being in possession of worn-out bales of undergarments. He denied the allegations.

Prosecution told court that on April 27, 2017 at Junhao Trade Company Limited along Kafumbe Mukasa road in Kampala, Zhang was found selling and in possession of 17 bales of undergarments.

The garments, prosecution argued, did not conform to the requirements code of practice for inspection and acceptance criteria for used textile products locally known as Mivumba.

In August 2016, civil society organisations petitioned Parliament, appealing for a ban on used undergarment and other second-hand clothes arguing that they were unhygienic.

Fronted by Worldwide African Congress (WAC), a Pan-African organisation, it was intended to save Ugandans dignity and health by imposing a ban on the importation of second-hand underwear that include but not limited to underpants, knickers, brassieres, vests, night dresses and subsequently reward those that engage in their production locally.

Several African countries among them Tanzania and Zimbabwe banned the importation and sale of used underwear.

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