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The seizure took place at the Mawero East Division headquarters, right by the Sofia border crossing—a favorite haunt for cross-border smuggling.
Moses Amwine, an officer involved in the raid, shared the inside scoop.
"After getting a tip-off about the smuggler’s plans to move goods from Kenya, we geared up and positioned ourselves strategically," he said.
"Our patience paid off big time at 5:00 AM when we intercepted the smuggler just as he was loading up a Toyota Harrier."
The operation had all the makings of an action movie.
As soon as the smuggler spotted the officers, he made a break for it, disappearing into the nearby bushes and leaving the vehicle behind.
The car, a Toyota Harrier with the plate UBQ 425, was promptly taken to the Busia station.
A thorough search revealed a stash of 158 rolls of plain polyester and 51 pieces of poly-cotton poplin.
But that's not all. The team also found a collection of different number plates in the car, a sneaky trick to avoid detection while moving contraband textiles across borders.
This crackdown isn't just about catching bad guys—it's tied to a bigger battle.
Recently, traders have been voicing frustration over a new government tax on certain textiles, which is either 3.5 USD per kg or 35% of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value, depending on which is higher.
This move aims to boost Uganda’s budding textile industry.
URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi recently defended the policy on NBS TV’s Morning Breeze, explaining it's all about nurturing local talent and industry.
"By adding value to our own cotton, we position ourselves to lead in producing top-tier cotton products instead of just exporting raw materials," he explained.
Musinguzi acknowledged the spike in smuggling since the policy's introduction but revealed that URA is actively working with stakeholders to tackle the ensuing challenges.
As for the smuggler’s abandoned Toyota Harrier, it might cost its owner up to $5,000 in fines under sections 199(iii) and 200 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA).