URA Seizes UGX 5.7 Million Worth of Smuggled Rice Hidden in Corn Sacks at Malaba

KAMPALA — The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has intercepted a consignment of smuggled rice that had been concealed in sacks of corn cobs during an enforcement operation in Kaliati, Malaba Town Council, Tororo District.

According to Emmanuel Timothy Ndawula, the Customs Enforcement Officer for URA’s Eastern Region, the operation was conducted after the enforcement team received credible intelligence about suspected smuggling activities in the area.

Investigations revealed that the smugglers had repackaged the rice into bags originally meant for corn cobs in an attempt to disguise the cargo and evade customs detection.

Ndawula said authorities recovered 31 bags of rice weighing approximately 775 kilograms. The consignment included 25 bags of Sana Rice originating from Pakistan and six bags imported from India, with an estimated market value of UGX 5.7 million.

“While we continue to strengthen surveillance, smugglers are constantly developing more creative and sophisticated concealment methods to evade customs controls,” Ndawula said.

URA noted that the seizure highlights the increasingly sophisticated tactics being used by smugglers to bypass customs controls. However, the authority stressed that intelligence-led enforcement operations remain effective in disrupting illegal trade and protecting government revenue.

As offence management processes get underway, Robert Kalumba, the URA spokesperson, commended the enforcement team for the successful seizure.

“The recovery highlights the critical role of human intelligence in combating smuggling. Timely intelligence, combined with swift operational response, remains one of the most effective ways of disrupting smuggling networks and protecting government revenue,” Kalumba said.

The tax authority further praised the officers involved in the operation, noting that the interception demonstrates the importance of coordinated field operations and intelligence sharing in the fight against cross-border smuggling.