A city businessman, Umar Mayende, has been fined 11.8 million shillings for the illegal importation of thirty iPhones valued at 23 million shillings. Mayende, 28, admitted to the charge of acquiring uncustomed goods, as defined by Section 200(d)(iii) of the East African Community Customs Management Act of 2004.
Mayende pleaded guilty on June 28, 2024, in the presence of his lawyer, Jerry Alinda, at the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero. The court session was overseen by Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit.
Richard Kyobe, 23, a cleaner at Entebbe International Airport, was also implicated. Initially, Kyobe denied the charge but later changed his plea to guilty on July 1, 2024. Both men were ordered to pay a fine of 11.8 million shillings each or face a year in jail if they default.
In his sentencing on July 1, 2024, Magistrate Opit noted the convicts’ remorse and their cooperation with the court, which influenced his decision to impose the fines instead of harsher penalties.
Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution team from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), led by Patricia Ndagire, Hildah Atusimiire, and Allan Scott Nkoyoyo, detailed the events leading to the charges. On June 19, 2024, Mayende acquired thirty iPhones with a dutiable value of 23,658,805 shillings, knowing that the taxes had not been paid.
When questioned in court, both Mayende and Kyobe admitted to their roles in the smuggling operation. Mayende confessed to bringing the phones from Dubai and conspiring with Kyobe to bypass customs at the airport.
The URA received intelligence on June 19, 2024, about the smuggling attempt, leading to the interception of the phones. The seized devices included models ranging from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 15.
Prosecutors emphasized that Mayende’s actions were a clear case of tax evasion, a prevalent issue in the country. They argued for stringent sentences to deter similar offenses and underscore the seriousness of tax compliance.
