(Kampala) – If there is one thing Ugandans love, it’s drama—and the latest plot twist comes courtesy of a Nairobi-bound Buscar passenger bus, which apparently thought it was the Trojan Horse of the transport world. URA officers are the heroes in this particular case, where UGX 32 million and a mixed bag of hidden treasures, including skincare products and car parts, were found concealed in a secret bus compartment.
On the fateful day of Friday the 13th, a passenger bus, Buscar, with the rather inconspicuous registration number KDG 377G, tried to pull off a heist that would’ve made even the smartest boda-boda smugglers proud. It wasn’t just a simple ride from Nairobi to Kampala—this bus was carrying more secrets than a village gossip!
Among the hidden goods were UGX 32 million worth of Congolese currency, carefully tucked away in a false compartment, likely dreaming of a quiet landing in the city. Unfortunately for them, the URA enforcement team, probably fueled by some keen intelligence reports, intercepted the bus just in time. The whole lot, from Congolese cash to skincare products, was dragged back to the URA Nakawa yard for a good old fashioned Ugandan style inspection.
Table 1: Breakdown of Goods Seized from Buscar
| Item | Quantity | Declared Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Congolese Currency (20,000 notes) | 16 bundles (UGX 32 million equivalent) | No claimant |
| Body Creams & Lotions | 174 pieces | Juice Mata |
| Perfumes | 132 pieces + 360 assorted pieces | Cyprian Kiwala, Omo Sheila |
| Motor Vehicle Spare Parts | 23 oil filters, 20 connecting rods | Unidentified |
| Skincare Products | 214 pieces (creams, serums, oils) | Unknown |
| Basmati Rice | 165 kgs | No claimant |
| Red Kidney Beans (Egyptian) | 576 pieces | No claimant |
In true Ugandan fashion, no one claimed the cash, because let’s be real—who’s going to raise their hand when UGX 32 million is sitting in a hidden compartment and the URA is breathing down your neck? The money, packed in neat bundles of Congolese francs, was probably supposed to be someone’s little “Kisanja hakuna michezo” surprise.
A Whole Lot of Skincare
Now, if you thought the UGX 32 million was impressive, wait until you hear what else they uncovered. Perfumes, lotions, creams, and more skincare products than you would find at a city mall on Christmas Eve were hidden aboard. Some of these were allegedly attached to individuals like “Juice Mata”—who, by the looks of things, is either running Uganda’s largest underground skincare empire or just had a serious shopping addiction.
Among the loot, there were 29 pieces of turmeric super whitening face cream (because some one wants to glow like a lightbulb in Kampala?), Vitamin C body scrub, and Dr. Rashel serums. Clearly, the beauty business is booming, but hiding it in bus compartments might be taking it a bit too far.
Spare Parts and More
For those with a more mechanical mindset, the stash didn’t disappoint either. They found motor vehicle spare parts, including oil filters, clutch cylinders, and brake boosters. Rose Mayuuko had a carton of rings (no word on whether these were meant for cars or fingers), and Mohammed Lubowa’s isolated solar charge controller got tagged too. Clearly, Buscar was an all in one shopping mall on wheels.
But there’s one thing all Ugandans know. If you are importing goods, especially in secret, you had better pray you don’t end up on URA’s radar. Unfortunately for the owners of these hidden treasures, that radar was in full effect, and the bus was promptly escorted back to the URA yard.
What the Law Says
For those thinking they might get off easy, Uganda’s Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2013 has some choice words for them. Anyone caught with undeclared money exceeding 1500 currency points (UGX 30 million) must face the consequences, which can range from hefty fines to your property being turned into a URA souvenir. Declaring doesn’t mean they will tax your money—it is all about transparency, because we all know the only thing Ugandans like more than smuggling is pretending they don’t know the law.
The East African Community Customs Act isn’t playing around either. Sec 199 states that any vehicle used for smuggling could get hit with a fine of up to USD 5,000. That’s right—Buscar could soon become a very expensive Uber.
URA’s Stern Warning
To wrap it up, the Uganda Revenue Authority made it clear: don’t try this at home—or on a bus. Follow the right customs procedures, or you will be left counting your losses faster than you can say “tax evasion.” And for all the smugglers out there dreaming of a quick buck, URA is always watching—just like that nosy neighbor who knows all your secrets.
This drama filled bust has left us all wondering: who will come forward to claim the cash, and how many more buses are out there thinking they can beat the system? For now, the URA has spoken, and Buscar is parked in the yard, its secrets laid bare.
