DPP rolls out strict rules on illicit trade

Kampala.

To curb illicit trade, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has outlined measures that will swiftly detain illicit traders, closing the vacuum that has seen government lose revenues.
The Prosecutor’s manual, to be issued by the DPP later this month, will among other things, help prosecutors, enforcement authorities, and other players to deal with cases of illicit trade.
Industry players are already excited by the development, especially the legal tobacco firms, whose product is most smuggled.

“Illicit trade is a global phenomenon,” reads part of the manual.
Industry players had always asked the establishment of a strict and comprehensive system to edge out the vice because the available laws have not yielded good results.
However, the manual does not just teach about illicit trade and investigating it from the pre-trial stage to prosecution.

“What needs to be reinforced is the stringent enforcement of these principles. This remains the stringiest tool and provides the greatest punishment and deterrence against illicit trade crimes,” the manual reads in part.

Uganda Manufactures Association Policy Analyst, Mr Geoffrey Ssali, said in an interview that the country’s problem remains the slow pace at which commercial legislation is being handled.
He said: “For years, we have been pushing for commercial legislations, among them is the counterfeit law, and nothing is moving, but such moves (prosecutors’ manual) give hope.”

iladu@ug.nationmedia.com