By Elizabeth Tukamushaba,
NATIONAL
In a bold move by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Masaka Enforcement team, an illegally modified Toyota Hiace Drone was intercepted along the Mbarara-Kampala Highway, leading to the apprehension of its owners. The vehicle, originally from South Sudan, was illegally ‘baptized’ in Uganda, violating transit and importation tax regulations.
The enforcement operation unfolded as the URA team tracked the suspicious vehicle, which had entered Uganda from South Sudan with foreign registration plates. The owner, failing to obtain a Transit Road Licence (TRL) and evade importation taxes, resorted to altering the vehicle’s appearance and affixing registration plates from a different vehicle.
Deployed along one of Uganda’s busiest highways, the Mbarara-Kampala Highway, the illegally modified vehicle posed a significant risk to road safety. However, the URA Masaka Enforcement team, through meticulous real-time intelligence gathering, identified the vehicle as a target of interest.
Despite the culprits’ attempts to evade detection by favoring nighttime trips, the URA team adapted their strategy and mounted a nighttime highway ambush in Kaddugala town. Employing stealth tactics, they intercepted the vehicle and brought it to a halt.
Subsequent investigations led to the apprehension of the associated owners, who are now facing legal consequences for their actions. The URA emphasized the importance of using proper channels when acquiring an automobile, urging all Ugandan motorists to comply with regulatory requirements to avoid similar repercussions.
The successful interception serves as a reminder of the URA’s unwavering commitment to enforcing tax and customs regulations, safeguarding national revenue, and ensuring compliance within the automotive sector. It underscores the significance of collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies and the public in upholding regulatory integrity and enhancing road safety across Uganda.
