URA marine enforcement officers have scored a major victory against cross-border smuggling on Lake Victoria after intercepting a large haul of illegally transported raw timber in the Hama Islands, Namayingo District.
The operation, which forms part of intensified patrols on Uganda’s lake waters, led to the seizure of timber valued at about UGX 25 million.
The cargo had been loaded onto a speedboat operated by a well-known smuggler who for years had frustrated authorities by outrunning patrol teams with a powerful vessel.
That run of luck ended when enforcement teams deployed the 200 HP twin-engine Tujenge 1 speedboat, a recent addition to the station’s marine fleet.
The high-performance boat enabled officers to close in on the suspect vessel as it attempted to slip across the international boundary.
The interception took place moments after the boat crossed into Kenyan waters, where it was heading to Usieko Beach to offload the illegal consignment.
Officers swiftly secured the vessel and impounded the timber, dealing a significant blow to illicit trade routes on the lake.
Commenting on the operation, Maj. Ledra Karamelo said, “This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of enhanced surveillance and improved marine capabilities.”
URA says the success underscores its renewed focus on disrupting smuggling networks operating along Lake Victoria and has warned traders and transporters that tighter monitoring and rapid-response patrols are now firmly in place.
