URA Destroys Over 100 Tons of Contraband Goods in Nakasongola Crackdown

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has destroyed more than 100 tons of contraband goods that were found on the market without Digital Tax Stamps (DTS), in a fresh crackdown aimed at strengthening tax compliance and protecting Ugandan consumers.

The destruction exercise took place on April 30, 2025, at Luweero Industries Ltd in Nakasongola District, a government-approved destruction facility.

The impounded items included juices, soft drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as cement, all of which failed to meet both tax and health safety requirements.

According to Stephen Mugema, the DTS Enforcement Officer at URA, goods without Digital Tax Stamps are not only a sign of tax evasion but also a danger to public health, as they often bypass Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) certification.

“As URA, we are tasked with a duty to collect revenue for national development. Goods without Digital Tax Stamps indicate non-compliance. DTS is also a safety measure since goods that are not certified by UNBS cannot be stamped,” Mugema said in a statement.

He noted that enforcing the use of DTS also helps protect compliant businesses from unfair competition by locking out non-compliant traders who flood the market with untaxed goods at low prices.

The DTS system, introduced in 2019, has become one of URA’s most important tools in tracking exciszable products and sealing revenue leakages, especially in the beverage, sugar, and cement sectors. Under the law, all gazetted goods must carry a Digital Tax Stamp, failing which the items are treated as contraband and subject to seizure.

Mugema urged traders across the country to ensure their products meet DTS requirements, warning that those who fail risk heavy financial losses, legal action, and destruction of their goods.

He also called on the public to reject unstamped goods and to report any suspicious products or dealers to URA. “If you see goods without stamps, don’t buy them. Report the seller. It’s about your safety and our economy,” he said.

As URA intensifies its enforcement campaigns, the message to tax evaders remains firm, compliance is not optional, and attempts to cut corners will face the full force of the law. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).