Munyonyo, Kampala
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner General, John Musinguzi Rujoki, has issued a firm warning to smugglers and their collaborators, declaring that “their days are numbered.”
Speaking during the launch of the anti-smuggling enforcement campaign at the shores of Lake Victoria, Speke Resort Munyonyo, Mr. Musinguzi reaffirmed URA’s determination to clamp down on illegal trade routes and safeguard Uganda’s economy from revenue loss caused by smuggling.
Crackdown on Lake Smuggling
The campaign, which targets illicit activities across Uganda’s waterways, follows the identification of four “Tujenge” boats—vessels reportedly used by smugglers to transport undeclared goods across Lake Victoria.
Mr. Musinguzi announced that URA is intensifying water patrols and cross-border coordination to seal off these routes and strengthen enforcement along Uganda’s lake shores and border districts.
“URA will not tolerate any form of smuggling or corruption. Officers who connive with wrongdoers will be identified, investigated, and dismissed,”
said Commissioner General Musinguzi.
“We are determined to protect Uganda’s economy, promote fair trade, and support businesses that comply with tax laws.”
Smuggling: A Threat to Uganda’s Progress
According to URA reports, Uganda loses over Shs 300 billion annually to smuggling. The most smuggled items include cigarettes, cooking oil, wines and spirits, and phone accessories.
Smuggling undermines Uganda’s development in several ways:
- It deprives the government of critical tax revenue.
- It exposes consumers to unregulated and unsafe goods.
- It destabilizes market prices and hurts honest, tax-compliant businesses.
- It weakens border integrity and encourages corruption.
URA has described smuggling as “economic terrorism” that distorts the market and undermines Uganda’s economic independence.
URA’s Revenue Performance and Targets
Under Mr. Musinguzi’s leadership, URA has significantly improved tax collection and modernized enforcement through digital transformation.
In the 2024/2025 Financial Year, URA collected Shs 31.63 trillion, exceeding its target by Shs 262 billion — a performance rate of 100.84%.
The authority has now set an ambitious target of Shs 39.74 trillion for the 2025/2026 financial year, building on gains from technology-driven compliance systems such as the Enhanced Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS) and Digital Tax Stamps (DTS).
Additionally, URA added over 560,000 new taxpayers and recovered Shs 91 billion in enforcement operations in the last reporting period, demonstrating stronger border control and revenue protection.
Community Partnership in the Fight Against Smuggling
Commissioner General Musinguzi called upon Ugandans—especially border and lakeside communities—to become active partners in fighting smuggling.
“Every shilling lost to smugglers is a lost opportunity for our children’s education, our hospitals, and our infrastructure,”
he said.
“We call on every citizen to report suspicious goods and activities. Together, we can build a stronger, self-reliant Uganda.”
URA will continue to sensitize communities, traders, and transporters to embrace lawful trade and report smuggling through the authority’s toll-free hotlines.
Safeguarding Uganda’s Future
The event at Speke Resort Munyonyo symbolized URA’s growing commitment to border security and maritime vigilance. With the Tujenge boats now under monitoring, URA’s next steps include enhanced patrols, improved surveillance technology, and closer cooperation with regional agencies around Lake Victoria.
URA has pledged to reward integrity, uphold transparency, and punish corruption as it works toward its mission: “Mobilizing revenue for Uganda’s development.”