URA Enforcement Team Foils Major Smuggling Attempt, Seizes Hundreds of Used Computers

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has successfully intercepted a large shipment of used computer equipment that was being smuggled into the country through illegal border routes in Malaba.

The operation was carried out on June 19, 2026, after enforcement officers received intelligence indicating that a group of individuals had stockpiled used computers on the Kenyan side of the border and planned to move them into Uganda without following customs procedures.

Acting on the tip-off, URA’s Malaba enforcement team launched a surveillance operation along the Malaba-Koitangiro Road. Officers closely monitored suspected movements while working with informants who tracked vehicles believed to be transporting the goods.

According to URA, the suspected smugglers used the Nile B route, an unauthorized crossing point often exploited to bypass customs checks and evade taxes.

The surveillance operation eventually led to the interception of two vehicles carrying the illegal cargo. Both vehicles were escorted to the enforcement offices for inspection and verification.

A thorough examination revealed a substantial quantity of used computer equipment. One of the vehicles, a double-cabin pickup truck, was found transporting 75 assorted computer monitors and 45 computer central processing units (CPUs).

The second vehicle, a Toyota Noah, was carrying 70 assorted CPUs, 22 computer monitors, and 15 adapters.

In total, enforcement officers recovered 145 used computer CPUs, 97 computer monitors, and 15 adapters, making it one of the significant seizures recorded in the area in recent months.

Moses O. Wanjala, the Supervisor for Enforcement in the Eastern Region, said the operation demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led enforcement efforts in tackling smuggling and protecting government revenue.

He noted that illegal cross-border trade through unauthorized routes deprives the country of tax revenue, creates unfair competition for legitimate businesses, and presents security challenges along the border.

Wanjala reaffirmed URA’s commitment to strengthening border monitoring and working closely with local communities, informants, and security agencies to combat smuggling activities.

The recovered goods, along with the vehicles involved in the operation, remain in URA custody as investigations continue.