URA Impounds Manafwa District Electoral Commission Vehicle for Ferrying Smuggled Goods

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Eastern Region has impounded a vehicle registered for Electoral Commission Manafwa District, for allegedly ferrying smuggled white flour from the Kenya border.

The vehicle was impounded along the Mbale-Tororo highway at the Mbale URA checkpoint, along with over 30 cartons of Dunia white flour from Kenya on Wednesday, 7th January, 2026.

James Maloba, URA Manager Eastern Region, when contacted on phone confirmed the incident, stating that the vehicle is parked at the URA checkpoint in Mbale.

Gilbert Meru, Manafwa District Registrar, acknowledged the impounding, saying his driver took the vehicle to transport smuggled goods without his knowledge.

Some locals, speaking anonymously called for the Electoral Commission to transfer Gilbert Meru, the Registrar, over the misuse of a public vehicle.

They expressed concern that the same vehicle might be used to transport stuffed ballot papers during the general election, citing this incident as a worrying precedent.