NAKASONGOLA – It was a chilly morning on December 18th, 2024, when the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) embarked on a mission to destroy a massive stash of illicit cigarettes. The operation took place at Luweero Industries Ltd, a government-designated destruction facility in Nakasongola district.
As the URA team arrived at the facility, they were met with a staggering sight: 36.64 tons of contraband cigarettes, seized from notorious smugglers over the past couple of years. The cigarettes, worth a whopping UGX 1,684,107,271, were a testament to the rampant illicit tobacco trade that had been plaguing the country.
The destruction of the cigarettes was a culmination of the URA’s tireless efforts to combat the illicit tobacco trade. The exercise was conducted in accordance with the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), 2004, and the Tobacco Act of 2015.
As the URA team began to destroy the cigarettes, the air was filled with the acrid smell of burning tobacco. It was a symbolic gesture, marking the URA’s commitment to safeguarding Uganda’s economic growth and development.
The destroyed cigarettes consisted of assorted brands, including Super Match, Oris, Platinum, Business Royal, and Blue. The tax loss resulting from the smuggling of these cigarettes was estimated at UGX 6,732,153,657, a staggering amount that could have been used to fund vital public services.
The URA’s efforts to combat the illicit tobacco trade are part of a broader national strategy to promote economic growth and development. By destroying the contraband cigarettes, the URA sent a strong message to smugglers and other perpetrators of illicit trade: that their activities will not be tolerated, and that the authorities will take decisive action to protect the country’s economic interests.
