URA destroys over 1,300 cigarette cartons

THE Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has destroyed cartons of contraband Supermatch cigarettes that were impounded while being smuggled into the country.

James Abodi, a URA official, said 1,340 cartons of the cigarettes were seized between April 2009 and last month from Dibia, Arua, Adura and Lira.

The cigarettes were destroyed at the Bank of Uganda incinerator in Jinja on Friday.

Abodi said the cigarettes were valued at sh600m and about sh840m in taxes.

He explained that the three vehicles involved in the smuggling were also seized.

“We have managed to contain the smuggling and it has decreased,” Abodi said, adding that most smugglers hide the cigarettes in clothes, sacks or wrap the packets around their bodies.

He said the smugglers use ungazatted routes, warning that the roads are now known to URA enforcement officials.

Abodi cautioned business people to desist from smuggling, saying they risk being arrested and charged.