The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement officers have been consistently encountering traders attempting to smuggle goods into the country, evading taxes and duties.
Recently, the Iganga enforcement team conducted a focused operation lasting five hours, targeting fast-moving products such as Unilever items and engine oil. This operation proved successful, resulting in the recovery of various smuggled items.
The recovered items included 830 assorted bars of soap, 30 cartons of Pembe wheat flour, 150 dozens of assorted slippers, 16,475 pens, over 882 litres of assorted engine oils, 260 kilograms of assorted imported rice, 1,700 pieces of Geisha bathing soap, 2 cartons of T-guard toothpaste, and over 254 dozens of assorted body jelly.
URA has been actively engaging different communities, educating them on the risks associated with smuggling. Emphasis has been placed on encouraging taxpayers to fulfill their trade obligations rather than resorting to smuggling, which could lead to penalties and fines.
However, when taxpayers persist in smuggling activities, URA employs its enforcement arm to level the market field by eliminating illicit goods and protecting the public from potentially harmful products.
In a recent incident in Mbarara, the enforcement team engaged in a car chase with a banned cosmetics smuggler. Acting on intelligence from informers, the team intercepted a Toyota Corona UAJ838N loaded with 1,386 pieces of Citrolight, 277 pieces of Clair Plus, and 183 pieces of Miki Clair. These products are known to damage the skin’s melanin and may contain carcinogenic ingredients like hydroquinone and mercury, which can lead to skin cancer.
Offence management procedures are now underway to address the perpetrators of this illegal activity. Ibrahim Bbossa, spokesperson for URA, urges the public to refrain from engaging in smuggling activities, warning that they risk substantial fines and penalties.
It’s important to note that smuggling is a punishable offence under Section 200 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA).
