By Annet Nantongo
A URA enforcement team in Mbale encountered a hostile community in Kween as they tried to retrieve a Fuso truck full of 8,400kgs smuggled wheat over the weekend. With the task of maintaining the highest levels of professionalism when dealing with clients, the URA officers deployed all tactics to keep the community calm.
This was during an enforcement operation that based on intelligence information focused on perpetual smugglers who are evading taxes in Sebei sub region, with focus on Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo districts.
The team hit the ground on the 12th Oct 2024 and found a Fuso truck registration number UBH 819HÂ loaded with smuggled wheat flour in Kaproron village, Kween District.
The 8,400kgs of wheat consisted of 4,440kgs of Pembe wheat flour, 2,280kgs of Pembe wheat flour, and 1,680kgs of Golden wheat flour. All together the truck was loaded with 350 cartons of wheat.
In a bid to stop the officers from taking the cargo, the community turned hostile to frustrate the operation. This prompted the officers to involve the area police who were helpful in calming the locals as URA officers impounded the Fuso to the Mbale office to commence processes for offence management.
Early this week, the URA Commissioner General, Mr John Musinguzi emphasized the tax body’s intent to heavily fine individuals who engage in such acts as a punitive measure. He urged customs officers to charge the maximum fine of USD 10,000 because smugglers are the bottlenecks to national development and should be heavily penalised.
While Sec 199 of the East African Community Customs Act of 2004, as amended, sets a fine of USD 5,000 for any means of conveyance used in smuggling, URA boss noted that the law allows URA to forfeit motor vehicles aiding smuggling.