URA Seizes Smuggled Goods Worth Shs64M in Tax Evasion Crackdown

As the financial year draws to a close, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has intensified its crackdown on tax evaders flouting tax laws.

Acting on intelligence, URA's Team One recently conducted a week-long operation in the suburbs of Namayiba Bus Park, Gayaza, Kayunga, and the shores of Lake Nakasongola, targeting evaders and smugglers.

The operation resulted in the interception of a significant quantity of goods, worth millions, which had been smuggled into the country to avoid paying taxes.

At Namayiba Bus Park, the team uncovered spaghetti hidden under a bus from Burundi, while several rolls of textile material were retrieved from a residence in Magere. In Kayunga and Nakasongola, the tactics changed to chase and intercept, leading to the recovery of rice and milk respectively.

The seized goods included 302.4kg of powdered milk, 500kg of spaghetti, 2,120 kg of basmati rice, 14,370.36 square meters of textile material, 250 kg of prohibited cosmetics, and three impounded motor vehicles.

Thanks to the team's vigilance, potential tax revenue amounting to $16,972,968 (Shs64,497,278) was uncovered.

Armstrong Turyakira, URA’s Supervisor in Customs, warned errant tax evaders about URA’s readiness to penalize them for all their illicit trading.

“We shall not give up on enforcing tax laws against evaders and smugglers who undermine our economy. We urge all businesses and individuals to comply, and the public is also encouraged to report any suspicious trade practices,” Turyakira warned.