URA has intensified its efforts against illegal trade at the Malaba border by engaging members of the Malaba Small Scale Cross Border Traders’ Society on the ramifications of the practice.
Speaking at the engagement held on March 18th, Yoramu Musiime, the Area enforcement officer, issued a stern warning to the traders, emphasising that smuggling will not be tolerated.
He reminded them that illegal trade not only affects individuals but also deprives the government of revenue, undermines local industries, and poses a public health risk by allowing substandard goods to flood the market.
“Some smuggled goods do not meet standards, thus endangering lives,” Musiime noted.
He described smuggling as the illegal movement of goods with the intention to defraud customs duties, citing common tactics such as under-declaration, falsification of documents, bribery, and abuse of transit arrangements.
To curb these vices, Andrew Ahimbisibwe, the Officer Customs Field Services, urged small-scale traders to embrace transparency.
“Everything across the border should be declared,” Ahimbisibwe emphasised.
He advised the traders to utilise the Simplified Trade Regime (STR), which applies to goods valued at $2,000 and below within the East African Community. Under this framework, traders who present a Certificate of Origin enjoy reduced taxes and simplified processes.
“You do not need to appoint a clearing agent,” Ahimbisibwe noted, emphasizing that the system is designed to support small-scale traders by lowering the cost of doing business.
Local leaders welcomed the sensitization drive but called for increased community awareness and collective responsibility in combating smuggling.
“Take this message to the markets and the wider community,” said Betty Alukudo, the LC III Councillor for Malaba Town Council.
Alukudo also urged closer cooperation between URA and traders.
“Officers are human beings you can talk to, but when it comes to enforcing the law, they must act,” she said.
The URA remains committed to fostering compliance through education while maintaining a firm hand on enforcement to protect legitimate trade.
By Garry Fortunate Murungi
