Security seizes 120 cartons of contraband cigarettes in Arua
Common contraband items include tobacco, alcohol, fuel, and textiles often trafficked via informal "panya routes."
Arua: A joint operation led by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement officers has resulted in the seizure of 120 cartons of smuggled Supermatch cigarettes in Arua City.
The high-stakes, intelligence-driven raid took place on Wednesday April 23, 2025 in Yapi Ward, Abiri Cell, Ayivu East Division at around 2:00 PM.
According to West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SP Collins Asea, the operation triggered retaliation from the smuggling ring.
A group of youths allegedly incited by the smugglers attacked the security team as they moved on foot toward Arua City center. The team was reinforced and managed to disperse the assailants.
“During the confrontation, a stray bullet struck an unidentified individual in the buttocks, who was promptly evacuated to Arua Regional Referral Hospital for treatment,” Asea said.
The violent backlash also resulted in vandalism and assaults. Three vehicles were damaged in the melee UG 010028, a government vehicle assigned to the Deputy RDC of Yumbe, UGJ 631Z, a Probox owned by local resident Kiwalyanga Julius and UBN 317H, an ambulance belonging to the Uganda Red Cross.
Bystanders were also caught in the violence. Among those assaulted were Buyaya Mathew Vuni, Deputy RDC Yumbe and Yika Brian, a 19-year-old resident of Arua City.
Police have opened several case files (including SD 53/23/04/2025, SD 54/23/04/2025, and SD 08/23/04/2025) and say investigations are ongoing to identify and prosecute all those involved.
The seized cigarettes are currently held at the URA’s Arua regional office as evidence.
Under the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) 2004, smuggling is a criminal offense punishable by fines of up to USD 5,000, imprisonment of up to seven years, or both.
The Tobacco Control Act 2015 further restricts the handling of tobacco products that fail to meet health and safety standards a frequent issue with smuggled brands like Supermatch.
The URA is empowered to conduct seizures, searches, and arrests to combat illicit trade, and such enforcement efforts are expected to intensify.
Smuggling remains rampant in border regions like Arua, due to its proximity to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where porous borders, corruption, and economic hardship fuel the illegal trade. Common contraband items include tobacco, alcohol, fuel, and textiles often trafficked via informal “panya routes.”
The URA has faced continued resistance in the West Nile region, particularly over enforcement of laws targeting unregistered motorcycles and smuggled goods. Past enforcement operations have sometimes turned deadly, with the most recent fatal incident occurring in Madi-Okollo.
Uganda loses an estimated UGX 600 billion (USD 160 million) annually to smuggling and illicit trade, according to URA data. This loss severely impacts the government’s ability to fund key services such as education, infrastructure, and healthcare.
The URA urges the public to steer clear of smuggling and avoid supporting or shielding those engaged in it. Locally known as “kavuyo”, the illegal trade not only violates the law but undermines national development.
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