Uganda Revenue Authority's Entebbe Enforcement and Border Control team intercepted a large shipment of smuggled phone screens at Entebbe International Airport. The operation resulted in the seizure of 1,172 packets of button phone screens and 22,837 packets of LCD/LED phone screens, valued at $90,000 (about Shs330 million).
The items were being brought into Uganda without the required duties being paid, driven by the increasing demand for smartphone spare parts.
The operation focused on the "Kadamas", individuals who are often promised quick money for smuggling goods into the country without declaring them to customs. During peak hours, as three major flights landed, a group of "kadamas" attempted to bypass customs by pushing unscanned suitcases through the crowd. However, a vigilant customs officer noticed their actions and flagged them for inspection.
When questioned, the smugglers claimed they were carrying items for personal use, including used clothes. The situation escalated when the women, trying to evade detection, ran out of the arrivals terminal and into the parking lot. Customs officers chased them down, eventually recovering six suitcases packed with phone screens hidden beneath layers of clothing.
Further surveillance led to the discovery of additional smuggled goods, including four bags of phone screens abandoned near the handler’s offices, and three suitcases attempting to be smuggled out as “rush bags”. Another officer uncovered a smuggling operation involving passengers consolidating phone screens in the parking lot, where they would distribute the goods at the luggage belt and restrooms before passing them on to a waiting car. When the suspect was confronted, 3,175 phone screens, 4 MacBook Airs, and 20 smartphones were seized.
Under the East Africa Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) 2004, smartphone screens are subject to import duties, VAT of 18%, WHT of 6%, and an infrastructural levy of 1.5%. Smuggling and failing to declare goods to customs carries severe penalties, including fines of up to 50% of the value of the goods.
In response to these smuggling efforts, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has enhanced its passenger profiling techniques and collaborated with airport security teams to monitor areas with limited customs presence, such as the VIP section and departures.