Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against the illicit smartphone trade, arresting a key suspect and recovering 4,371 smuggled mobile phones in downtown Kampala.
The arrest was carried out by Team One Enforcement during a targeted operation that intercepted a large consignment of illegally imported devices.
URA officials estimate the seizure could generate over Shs500 million in taxes and penalties once investigations are concluded.
Enforcement officers note that the illegal phone trade continues to thrive through disguised shipments and refurbished stolen devices that flood Kampala’s busiest electronics markets.
The stretch from Kampala Road to Luwum Street has become a hotspot for suspiciously cheap smartphones, often appearing before official distributors release new stock.
Smugglers are employing sophisticated concealment methods, including hiding phones in clothes, power bank casings, and hollowed-out laptops.
Others use long-distance buses as mobile vaults, while motorcycle couriers navigate congested streets to evade authorities. A new tactic, termed “human warehousing,” involves coordinated groups each carrying small quantities of phones across borders.
“As transformational warriors, we shall not drop the baton until the phone market is cleaned of these economic saboteurs,” said Alex Murungi, reaffirming URA’s commitment to sustained enforcement.
URA warns that the illegal smartphone trade undermines government revenue, destabilizes legitimate importers, and exposes buyers to counterfeit or stolen devices with no warranties. The recovered phones included Nokia button models and Samsung Galaxy devices.
The Authority plans to strengthen its efforts through smarter tax policies, streamlined import systems, and advanced enforcement tools to combat increasingly tech-savvy smuggling networks.
