Traders from both Uganda and Kenya have been exploiting the porous Sebei border to smuggle Kenyan products into Uganda, bypassing customs checks and avoiding taxes.
A survey by The Ankole Times reveals that traders in the Sebei region are smuggling Kenyan products into their shops in Bukwo, Kween, and Kapchorwa without paying taxes, resulting in significant losses for the Ugandan government.
Despite the presence of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials at the Suam checkpoint, there are allegations of collusion between some smugglers and URA staff.
According to a security officer stationed near the checkpoint, heavily loaded vehicles often cross the checkpoint after negotiating with URA officials to pay a smaller tax, with the remainder of the payment going directly to the officials. This claim has not been independently verified by this publication.
In addition to the goods smuggled through Suam, other merchandise such as cement, cigarettes, and beer are entering Uganda through ungazetted routes, making it difficult for the government to collect the expected revenue.
Paul Chemutai, a local resident, estimated that smugglers in Bukwo are responsible for a loss of over 300 million shillings every month. “As locals, we just watch because we can’t do anything, but smuggling in Bukwo is terrible. Every shop in Bukwo sells smuggled goods from Kenya,” he said.
Lawrence Chelangat called on the government to closely monitor the behavior of revenue-collecting staff in Bukwo and to tighten the movement of goods between Kenya and Uganda.
Recently, the government completed the construction of a tarmacked road from Kapchorwa to the Suam-Kenya border via Bukwo.
This road is expected to boost trade between Kenya and Uganda, though the challenge of smuggling remains a significant concern.
