The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has intercepted a vehicle carrying smuggled fabrics from Busia to Kampala, in another intelligence-led operation targeting smugglers operating along Uganda’s eastern corridor.
Acting on intelligence, URA enforcement officers laid an ambush along the suspected route and spotted a Toyota Noah, registration number UBQ 794J, at Magamaga Trading Centre in Mayuge District.
The vehicle matched the description provided by informers, prompting officers to pursue it towards Jinja.
The chase ended at Kubili (mailo mbiili) in Jinja where the driver reportedly abandoned the vehicle while it was still moving and fled.
Upon searching the vehicle, URA officers recovered 120 rolls of polyester poplin uniform material and five bales of kitenge fabric.
The operation followed another crackdown on smugglers at a consolidation point in Iganga, where URA recovered 100 bundles of kitenge fabric, 10 pieces of 25-yard gomesi material and 140 rolls of Dira material.
The suspects were arrested and taken for further offence management.
URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi Rujoki said the authority would continue going after both smugglers and officials involved in compromising revenue collection.
“The authority has put in place several measures to combat corruption and illegal activity at border points. We would like to make the cost of smuggling and corruption very, very high,” Musinguzi said.
The latest arrests come days after URA launched a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of a senior official over allegations of soliciting a $60,000 (over 200 million) bribe.
URA says its intensified operations are aimed at protecting government revenue, disrupting smuggling networks and ensuring that businesses that comply with tax laws are not disadvantaged by illicit trade.
The eastern corridor, particularly routes connecting border areas to major commercial centres, remains a key focus of the authority’s enforcement teams as smugglers attempt to move undeclared goods into the country.
The latest seizures demonstrate that URA is increasingly using intelligence to intercept illicit consignments before they reach Kampala and other markets.
The authority has warned smugglers and corrupt officials that enforcement operations will continue and that those caught compromising Uganda’s revenue system will face the consequences.
