URA arrests key suspect as crackdown exposes Kampala’s illicit smartphone pipeline

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has scored a significant breakthrough in its fight against illicit smartphone trade following the arrest of a key suspect in downtown Kampala.

The suspect was apprehended by Team One Enforcement during a targeted operation that intercepted a major consignment of illegally imported mobile phones.

URA estimates the seizure could recover more than shs500 million in taxes and penalties once investigations conclude.

According to enforcement officers, the illegal smartphone trade continues to thrive through disguised shipments and refurbished stolen devices that flood Kampala’s busiest electronics markets.

The city’s gadget hub—stretching from Kampala Road to Luwum Street—has become a hotspot for suspiciously cheap smartphones.

New devices often surface even before authorised distributors announce fresh stock, while backrooms brim with boxes carrying foreign barcodes.

URA reports that smugglers are adopting increasingly sophisticated concealment methods. Phones are hidden inside bundles of clothes, stuffed into power bank casings, or tucked into hollowed-out laptops.

Others exploit long-distance buses as mobile vaults, while motorcycle couriers weave through traffic to evade detection.

A growing tactic, known as “human warehousing,” involves individuals carrying small quantities of phones across borders in coordinated waves to avoid attracting attention.

“As transformational warriors, we shall not drop the baton until the phone market is cleaned of these economic saboteurs,” said enforcement officer Alex Murungi, reaffirming URA’s commitment to sustained operations.

URA warns that illicit trade not only robs the government of substantial revenue but also undermines legitimate importers and exposes consumers to counterfeit or stolen devices with no warranties or traceability.

During verification, enforcement teams recovered 4,371 phones, ranging from basic Nokia models to high-end Samsung Galaxy devices.

The authority says it will continue strengthening its approach through smarter tax policies, streamlined import processes, and advanced enforcement technologies to outpace increasingly tech-savvy smuggling networks.