URA seizes smuggled goods worth millions

Ms Agnes Nabwire Waiswa, the assistant commissioner enforcement, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) with some of the impounded cosmetics. This was at the URA customs warehouse in Nakawa, Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI

Kampala.

Tax body, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has impounded cement worth millions of Shillings that was allegedly smuggled into the country, senior officials have said.

Officials said they intercepted the uncustomed cement as part of their responsibility to fight market distortions to protect the local manufacturers.

URA assistant commissioner enforcement Agnes Nabwire said upon a tip off, the tax body, through the Malaba customs enforcement team, impounded 300 bags of Ndovu Cement from Kenya in the home of businessman Apollo Teriyeitu in Malaba Town Council.

She said the cement worth $2,250 (about Shs8.1 million) with tax value of Shs2.2 million was to be repackaged as Tororo Cement before sending it to the market.

Addressing the media at URA head offices in Nakawa, Kampala yesterday, Ms Nabwire said the suspect will be made to pay tax and also be arraigned in courts of law for an appropriate penalty.

She also revealed that last month, URA customs enforcement, along with the police in Kajjansi, Wakiso District, intercepted 135 bags of counterfeit cement.

Upon examining samples, laboratory tests revealed lime being packaged as cement.

On the increased cases in smuggling of cement, Ms Nabwire said: “The reason of smuggling cement is a result of excise duty which is 10 per cent. A bag of cement goes for at least Shs30,000 on market but if it is successfully smuggled, it will go for Shs25,000.”

She said the suspect has been released on bond pending trial before the court.

Other goods
Ms Nabwire also revealed that the tax body also impounded 1,105 cartons of spaghetti allegedly smuggled from Rwanda. She said two trucks containing smuggled spaghetti were intercepted but the drivers are on the run.

The consignment was valued at Shs25.8 million with tax value of more than Shs15 million.

The smuggling of spaghetti was attributed to the recent drought and food shortage in the country.

Also intercepted were 1,000 cartons of contrabands comprising of cosmetics containing hydroquinone which were banned from the Ugandan market because of the dangers they pose to peoples’ health.

“We appeal to Ugandans to desist from consuming these products because they are endangering their lives and our duty is to save the country from consuming such. Whoever will be arrested shall be prosecuted and whatever is got will be destroyed,” she added.

According to Ms Nabwire, the illegal imports including Citro light, Pro light and Skin light have changed their ingredients to omit hydroquinone which is regarded as dangerous; “But our laboratory tests have revealed that they actually have hydroquinone.”

“Our aim in these interventions is to protect the genuine importers in the society and all other law abiding citizens. We would like to encourage the public to be vigilant in reporting this kind of acts. Also the public should be aware of the authenticity of the goods they purchase and consume,” she added.

Mr Teriyeitu, who was paraded before the media, confirmed smuggling the 300 bags of cement but asked for forgiveness from URA.

“I admit ferrying the cement using my motorcycle but temptations are part and parcel of humanity. Being my first attempt, I request URA to allow me pay the taxes and penalties and forgive me. I will never do it again,” he said.