Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement in Mpondwe on Tuesday morning intercepted a Toyota Wish in the vicinity of Bwera headed to Kampala.
Richard Mutabaruka, the area in charge noted that upon verification, 1,200 pieces of uncustomed Bitenge and 10 cartons of contraband carolight were found. “These entered the country through porous borders surrounding Mpondwe – Lubiriha border, Kasese.”
“After receiving information, we waylaid the vehicle registration number UBK 073H for more than 4 hours in the wee hours of the night at Kinyamaseke junction along Bwera Kasese road. The vehicle fell in our ambush and a long chase ensued as the hardened serial smuggler tried to spree away from the team. Unknown to the smugglers, the enforcement team had laid a second roadblock at the Kikorongo junction,” Mutabaruka explained.
The uncustomed Bitenge and contraband carolight are worth an estimated value of USD 15,000 (UShs59m).
The vehicle and the seized items are at the Mpondwe office pending offense management.
URA encourages the public to report all suspicious trade practices to support its efforts in creating a leveled marketplace. In addition, the taxman will invest in automating its processes with the latest technology to counter illicit trade.
