Smugglers in Mpondwe, Kasese District, are counting losses after the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) intensified anti-smuggling operations this month, leading to the seizure of several undeclared goods.
The recovered items include Kitenge fabrics, banned cosmetics, and undeclared cocoa, according to URA enforcement reports.
In one of the operations, officers stopped a vehicle that had been secretly modified to hide smuggled goods.
“We discovered 10 jerrycans of cooking oil and 2 bags of rice, each weighing 25 Kgs inside this compartment,” an enforcement officer revealed.
The vehicle, registration number UAG 116X, faces a fine of USD 5,000 under customs laws.
Gordon Mutungi, URA Supervisor of Enforcement for the Midwestern region, said the authority is using smarter, intelligence-led methods to match the tactics smugglers are adopting.
He advised traders to stop smuggling and work with URA instead.
“Instead of resorting to shortcuts, come to our offices for assistance,” he said.
URA has begun revenue recovery procedures.
