Enforcement teams from tax body, Uganda Revenue Authority have seized worth shs1.9 billion that had been smuggled into the country.
The elusive phone smuggler was nabbed following an intelligence tip-off that led enforcement teams to a warehouse at Old Kampala where over 3,800 pieces of assorted phone types were impounded.
One of the workers at the facility was arrested during the operation to help in investigations.
“The smuggler is believed to be part of a well-organized network that stretches across borders and involves multiple stakeholders – ranging from corrupt officials to middlemen who distribute the phones once they reach Kampala. These networks often thrive where law enforcement is weak or easily circumvented,” URA said.
In the past decade, there has been a rise in mobile phone penetration in Uganda with over 30 million mobile phone subscribers in the country as of December 2023 as smartphones remain essential tools for communication, business and entertainment.
However, the demand for affordable devices has created an opportunity for smugglers to exploit gaps in the market.
Phone smuggling typically involves the importation of smartphones and accessories through unofficial or illegal routes, bypassing customs duties and taxes that legitimate businesses are required to pay.
The phones, often sourced from countries like China, Dubai, and even neighboring countries like Kenya, are brought into Uganda without proper documentation.
Once they cross the border, they are sold at a lower price than those available through legal channels, making them attractive to consumers.
