A 53-year-old truck driver plying the Pakwach-Panyimur road has been arrested for smuggling cigarettes into the country. Nyakojo Ezra was recently intercepted in an operation carried out by the Uganda Revenue Authority.

Officials say the arrest followed reports of a truck registration number UAQ 461T, which was reportedly loaded with cigarettes ready to board the ferry from Panyimur to Wanseko. The truck had been hidden in a bush near Kasato town to escape the officer’s eagle eyes.

“Our informer insisted that the cigarettes were there at the bottom of the truck, and further inspection of the truck revealed a hidden compartment on the floor of the truck,” Customs officer Luke Kivumbi narrated.

Nyakojo was quickly intercepted and, upon further interrogation, confessed to having an additional compartment at the bottom of the truck. Subsequent inspection revealed 200 cartons of Supermatch cigarettes manufactured in South Sudan.

Robert Kalumba, the Assistant Commissioner of Public and Corporate Affairs, URA, commented on the swift action of the enforcement officers.

“Illicit trade will not be tolerated,” said Kalumba. Ezra will face the law and answer for his crimes.”

Nyakojo is currently held at the intelligence office at the URA headquarters awaiting legal action.

Kivumbi noted that Nyakojo’s truck is subject to a USD 5,000 fine as guided by the East African Community Customs Management Act.

This interception comes days after URA seized 2,000 bombas of contraband cigarettes in Butiaba, southwestern Uganda.

Kalumba acknowledged the rising cases of illicit cigarette trade and noted that URA has employed a multifaceted approach to fight the vice.

“We are relying on intelligence, technology, and strict border control to apprehend the culprits,” he said.

By Irene Kabakama