Entebbe, Uganda – Uganda Revenue Authority’s (URA) Enforcement and Border Control teams at Entebbe International Airport have intercepted a major smuggling attempt involving mobile phone screens and electronic gadgets valued at over USD 90,000.

The operation, conducted last week, led to the seizure of 1,172 packets of button phone screens and 22,837 packets of LCD/LED smartphone screens—items considered high-value due to the increasing demand for mobile phone repairs in Uganda’s growing digital economy.

According to URA officials, the smuggling ring exploited unsuspecting returnees from the Middle East, locally referred to as “Kadamas”, who were promised quick cash to transport undeclared goods.

These individuals were instructed to use peak passenger hours, with multiple flights landing simultaneously, to bypass customs checks by pushing luggage past scanners unnoticed. 

In one dramatic incident, three women attempted to evade customs by insisting their luggage only contained personal items and used clothes. 

However, upon being flagged for verification, the trio made a dash for the exit, pushing their trolleys toward a waiting getaway car in the airport parking lot.

URA officers, aided by airport security, pursued and intercepted them before they could flee.

Six suitcases were recovered and, upon inspection, were found to contain layers of mobile phone screens hidden beneath clothing.

Additional surveillance in the cargo and baggage handling area uncovered four more abandoned bags filled with concealed smartphone screens.

Rush Bags

In a separate bust, an airline handler was apprehended attempting to smuggle out three overstuffed “rush bags” falsely declared as urgent airline cargo.

Further intelligence-led operations uncovered a sophisticated smuggling tactic where passengers on the same flight distributed phone screens among themselves during the journey.

Once at Entebbe, they regrouped in the parking lot and handed the items to the main recipient.

As the recipient attempted to load the smuggled goods into his vehicle, he was ambushed by an enforcement officer.

This particular arrest led to the recovery of 3,175 phone screens, four MacBook Air laptops, and 20 assorted smartphones.

URA emphasized that the importation of mobile phone screens is subject to strict compliance under the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) 2004, as amended. These items attract Import Duty, Value Added Tax (VAT) at 18%, Withholding Tax (WHT) at 6%, and an Infrastructure Levy of 1.5%.

The authority reiterated that concealment of goods with intent to smuggle contravenes Section 202 of the EACCMA, attracting a penalty of 50% of the value of the goods.

Additionally, failure to declare goods to a customs officer violates Sections 45 and 46 of the Act, with penalties imposed under Section 209.

URA’s Assistant Commissioner for Enforcement noted that the authority has enhanced passenger profiling techniques and intensified cooperation with airport operators, including security teams managing CCTV systems.

This collaboration ensures increased surveillance in critical areas such as the Departures Lounge, VIP terminals, and Old Airport facility, where customs presence is limited.

“The fight against smuggling requires continuous vigilance and cooperation. These operations reaffirm our commitment to protecting the country’s revenue and ensuring compliance with import regulations,” the URA enforcement spokesperson said.

By ChimpReports