Smuggled to Dust: URA Destroys Over 100 Tonnes of Unstamped Goods in Nakasongola

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has destroyed more than 100 tons of goods found without Digital Tax Stamps (DTS), intensifying its crackdown on tax evasion and substandard products in the market.

The destruction took place on April 30, 2025, at Luweero Industries Ltd in Nakasongola District, a site officially designated for such enforcement actions.

Among the incinerated contraband were popular consumer items such as juices, soft drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and cement.

URA enforcement officers seized the products during field operations after identifying them as non-compliant with both tax regulations and basic health standards.

Speaking during the destruction exercise, URA Enforcement Officer Mugema Stephen said the operation was central to the authority’s responsibility of safeguarding public revenue.

“As URA, we are entrusted with the crucial responsibility of collecting revenue that fuels our national development. Goods that do not bear the Digital Tax Stamps clearly indicate a lack of compliance with our tax laws,” he said.

He explained that the DTS system was not just about tax enforcement but also consumer protection.

“Beyond its role in revenue assurance, the Digital Tax Stamp also serves as an essential safeguard for our consumers. It ensures that only products certified by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) can be affixed with this mark of compliance,” he added.

Mugema noted that failure to comply with DTS regulations undermines fair competition in the marketplace, disadvantaging businesses that abide by the law.

“These actions are vital in maintaining a level playing field within the market. By preventing the circulation of unstamped goods, we curb unfair competition from traders who seek to operate outside the legal framework,” he said.

The enforcement officer urged traders to embrace compliance, warning that any deviation risks severe penalties and the loss of merchandise.

He also encouraged consumers to verify products before purchase and report suspicious goods to URA.

“This collaborative effort between the URA and the public is crucial in safeguarding both national revenue and consumer safety within Uganda,” Mugema said.

The Digital Tax Stamp initiative, introduced to tighten tax enforcement and limit the infiltration of fake or untaxed goods, remains one of URA’s key tools in curbing revenue leakages.

The destroyed goods, now reduced to ash, mark a continued resolve by the tax body to protect Uganda’s tax base and ensure safer goods reach the market.

The destruction took place on April 30, 2025, at Luweero Industries Ltd in Nakasongola District, a site officially designated for such enforcement actions.