By Joseph Kiggundu
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials have recovered over Shs1 billion in fines from traders involved in the smuggling of phones and other electronics in the eastern region.
This publication has learnt that the operation codenamed “You cannot smuggle a phone without paying taxes,” which started in January 2026, was reportedly informed by the intelligence indicating an upward trend of smuggling of phones and other electronics across the eastern Uganda-Kenya border.
The border stretches over 800 kilometres, presenting a vast expanse with challenges to monitor effectively. Smugglers exploit this vastness, taking advantage of porous border areas, informal crossing points, and remote regions to carry out their activities.
Mr Moses Wanjala Owino, the Authority’s manager, enforcement and border control, eastern region, told this reporter on Thursday that the operation has scored some successes, with several vehicles involved in smuggling being impounded.
“Our goal is to end smuggling and any form of illicit trade, stabilise the market, protect the genuine traders and local manufacturers, and improve tax collection. This operation is still ongoing,” he said.
Mr Wanjala urged traders to desist from smuggling, saying they have a strong intelligence network and have expanded their operational coverage on all border points across the region.
“We want to let the traders know that our intelligence is proactive, and it may not be easy for anyone to just go without paying taxes. So, traders should always use the right channel to avoid losing their capital because once we get smugglers, we will prosecute them,” he said.
According to him, smuggling is one of the stumbling blocks frustrating URA’s revenue collection efforts and hurting the economy.
“It brings unfair competition with smugglers underpricing goods to maximise their profits over someone who is paying taxes. It also distorts the market and affects the operation of local industries,” Mr Wanjala said.
Earlier, Brig Gen David Gonyi, UPDF Air Force Chief of Staff, said the biggest challenge facing the Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) policy is the belief by some Ugandans that goods from abroad are of better quality than the ones produced locally.
“And yet in the actual sense, from what we have seen, we have found that the products produced in the [local industrial] parks are actually better than the ones that are smuggled from the neighbouring countries,” he said.
He said Mbale Industrial park product portfolio covers 150 types of products, including electronics and electrical appliances, textiles and garments, building materials, and chemical products but wondered why traders would still prefer to import.
“For instance, more than 50 items are being produced in this Mbale Industrial Park and are quality products. So, we call upon the people who still cross the border to source some of these items to buy here locally at a very low price,” he said.
The park, which started in August 2018, has so far attracted 75 factories of various types. Among them, 55 factories have been completed and are operational, while the remaining 20 are in active construction phases.