Overview:
Malaba remains one of Uganda's busiest border entry points and a key route for regional trade, but authorities have repeatedly raised concerns over the use of unofficial crossing routes by smugglers seeking to evade customs procedures.
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has intercepted a large consignment of used computers that was being smuggled into the country through ungazetted border routes in Malaba, dealing a fresh blow to cross-border illicit trade.
The seizure followed an intelligence-led operation conducted on June 19 after enforcement officers received information that a suspect had stockpiled used computer equipment on the Kenyan side of the border and was planning to smuggle it into Uganda before transporting it to Mbale City.
According to URA, the enforcement team launched a surveillance operation along the Malaba-Koitangiro Road and closely monitored the movement of the suspect’s vehicles.
The officers, working with informants, tracked the vehicles as they crossed into Uganda through the Nile B route, one of several porous crossing points frequently used by smugglers seeking to evade customs controls.
The operation culminated in the interception of two vehicles carrying the suspected contraband.
A double-cabin pickup truck, registration number CGO54364G19, was found transporting 75 assorted used computer monitors and 45 computer central processing units (CPUs).
A second vehicle, a Toyota Noah registration number UA 532BR, was carrying 70 computer CPUs, 22 computer monitors and 15 adapters.
The recovered items were escorted to the URA enforcement office, where verification confirmed a total of 145 used computer CPUs, 97 computer monitors and 15 adapters.
Officials said the seizure highlights the growing use of illegal crossing points by smugglers seeking to avoid paying customs duties and taxes.
Mr Moses Wanjala, the Supervisor for Enforcement in the Eastern Region, said the operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led enforcement in combating illicit trade and protecting government revenue.
“Smuggling through unauthorised border crossings deprives government of revenue, undermines fair trade and creates security challenges along the border,” he said.
Mr Wanjala said URA will continue to strengthen surveillance along border points and work closely with local communities, informants and security agencies to curb smuggling.
The seized goods and vehicles remain under URA custody pending further investigations.
Malaba remains one of Uganda’s busiest border entry points and a key route for regional trade, but authorities have repeatedly raised concerns over the use of unofficial crossing routes by smugglers seeking to evade customs procedures.