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URA Intensifies Operations Against Smugglers, Goods Worth Millions Impounded

The wheat impounded by URA team

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in partnership with Security Agencies has intensified the fight against smuggling and tax evasion. In a joint operation last week, URA teams from Namayingo, Busia, Busitema, Iganga, Lwakhakha and Mbale surrounded targeted stores in Kapchorwa, where a number of smuggled goods were seized.

The impounded goods in Kapchorwa included 348CTNS X 12PKTS X 2KGS of Kenyan Golden Wheat Flour, 18CTNS X 85GMS of Rok Anchor Milk Jelly made in Kenya, 10 Jerrycans X 10LTRS of Raha Fly Cooking Oil and eight Jerrycans X 20LTRS of  Raha Fly Cooking Oil.

Ian Rumanyika, the Ag. Assistant Commissioner Public and Corporate Affairs at URA says that URA team further set up an ambush to net smugglers from Democratic Republic of Congo.

The URA team targeted a market day in Odramachako.

 “At around 7:30am, while in our cover, motorcycles started cruising in from DRC carrying un customed goods to Arua and not long our ambush netted one rider. we whisked the motorcycle and the goods away from the scene to Lia customs to avoid crowds of civilians mobbing against the team,” one of the URA enforcement officers reveals

The impounded cooking oil

On Verification, the URA team impounded 23 jerricans x 20 litres of valdor edible cooking oil. All of them were being carried on one motorcycle.

The motorcycle that was impounded carrying smuggled goods

Additionally, the URA team in Iganga last Thursday through an informer leant of how the mighty Gulf stream Nissan caravan UAQ 069B that has always eluded the tax body was intending to load its cargo and head to Kampala using two routes either Busia Kampala High Way or Busia- Budumba-Tirinyi.

The URA team withdrew its presence.

“At exactly 8:15am,  he was cited in Iganga town after dodging curfew checkpoint; he was trailed to Walugogo swamp and as usual the our aging drone comes following closely and attempts to stop him were futile,” one of the enforcement officers reveals.

The suspected smuggler engaged the last gear but the URA team didn’t stop the chase.

“The chase ended in sugar can plantation in Bulanga  Town Council, Luuka district. The Pilot decided to run faster than Bolt himself for his dear life and has not appeared as of now,” the enforcement officer further said.

On the same day, another reliable informer signaled URA to a Helicopter UAT 061C that was loaded with cargo and was  promptly intercepted but the pilot too bolted to the bushes  of Busesa for his dear life abandoning his helicopter.

“Offence process will start,” Rumanyika says.

On verification, the URA team established the following; 74rollsx58”x25yds rungen brand 100% polyester material (spandex/stretcher), Anti-malarial tablets, 5ctnsx60x10x1x9tabls of lonart tablets exp 11/2023, fishing lines (3ctnsx100dznx0.4mm mono filaments), fishing hooks (SIZE 16 X50000PCS, SIZE 7 X10PKTSX10X100PC, SIZE11X50000PCS) and UAT061C containing 5 Bales of assorted garments and04x12x2kgs of Pembe wheat flour.

Rumanyika says these operations will continue and urges the public to inform URA of suspected smugglers and tax evaders.

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