Uganda Revenue Authority has recovered over UGX 9M from uncustomed goods that were intercepted in Kabale District recently. The recovered amount includes taxes, penalties, and a fine for the means of conveyance.

On Valentine’s night, URA enforcement in Kabale intercepted a motor vehicle registration number UAE 217V which was suspected to be carrying contraband.

Yesho Cheptoyek Collin, the in-charge Katuna-Mirama Hill, described the situation as a cat-and-mouse game between the smuggler and the enforcement team as the latter tried to flee.

“En route to the Katuna border, we encountered the target and made a U-turn, finding ourselves back in Kabale town. The smuggler took us through three turns at the roundabout but a few more kilometres into the outskirts of Kabale town; he jumped out of his car and scattered,” he narrated.

Upon inspection, the car was found to be carrying assorted items worth USD 2116 in Cost, Insurance, and Freight.

These were seized and released only when the offender paid all taxes, fines, and penalties.

Recently addressing residents of Madi-Okollo, Commissioner General John R. Musinguzi appealed to traders to always cooperate with the enforcement team once they are suspected of smuggling and hand over the goods for verification, rather than resisting forfeiture and using violence.

By Kamugisha Kabahweza Allan MMU/PCA