The Malaba and Busia enforcement teams have had a busy festive season, way-laying smugglers all through the holidays. On December 26th, 2024, the Malaba team successfully intercepted a suspected electronic accessory smuggling ring attempting to transport illegal goods from Kenya into Uganda.

The operation, carried out just before midnight, followed a tip-off from a confidential informant about a serial phone smuggler planning to cross through Koitangiro Village.

A total of 1,893 assorted electronic goods, including 2,200 pieces of memory cards ranging from 2GB to 128GB, smartphones (Infinix Smart9, Tecno T301, Samsung Galaxy A15, and various Callus and ManoFly models), as well as MTK and Callus button mobile phones, were seized during the operation.

Around 6:00 PM, the informant revealed that two motorcycle riders, carrying boxes of suspected phones and accessories, were headed towards Uganda. By 10:00 PM, the team had set up an ambush approximately 10 kilometres from Ototol Trading Centre, Mella, near the main centre in Koitangiro.

At 11:55 PM, the motorcycles, carrying the load, were intercepted.

Realizing they were caught, the smugglers quickly abandoned the goods and fled into the night to avoid losing their bikes.

“We recovered all 11 boxes they had strapped to the motorcycles,” said an official part of the operation.

On December 27th, during routine surveillance, three motorcycles—UGD 341T, UDD 171M, and KMFY 948N—were intercepted, carrying 60 cartons of HOLLA Energy Drink, 6 cartons of Dunia wheat flour, and 2 packages of truck tyres (size 315/80R22.5)

The Smugglers were in no mood to rest on December, 28th. In similar fashion, a motorcycle with registration number UFS 685S was intercepted, carrying 10 cartons of Dunia wheat flour and 6 cartons of Holla drink.

On December 30th, 2024, as the year concluded, Busia Surveillance intercepted a shipment in Busia, seizing an assortment of tyres including 5 pieces of Linglong 185R14C, 5 pieces of Linglong 195R15C, and 4 pieces of Linglong 265/70R19.5.

All intercepted items were safely stored for further verification and URA continues to investigate any possible connections to larger smuggling networks.

The successful interceptions are part of ongoing efforts by URA to curb cross-border smuggling activities, especially during the festive season when such illegal activities tend to increase.

By Dismas Nuwaine