The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Customs Enforcement team at Entebbe Airport has stepped up its efforts, using technology to uncover hidden mobile phones.

In the past month, URA has made a significant discovery, confiscating a total of 506 concealed phones from passengers arriving from Dubai.

In a surprising development, a female traveller on a flight from Dubai was apprehended with 40 assorted smartphones concealed within artificial hips. These phones were attached to the traveller’s hips, with additional devices hidden in her clothing layers.

This operation, known as ‘Kwata Essimu,’ was initiated based on intelligence received from the United Arab Emirates, indicating that passengers were employing innovative methods to conceal phones and evade detection by Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) scanners.

Some passengers altered their travel routes, opting for Fly Dubai instead of Uganda Airlines or Ethiopian Airlines, in an attempt to bypass surveillance.

The enforcement team heightened scrutiny on all inbound flights, employing surveillance on conveyor belts, NII cargo scanners, thorough luggage inspections, and traveller interviews. This vigilance led to the discovery of another concealment tactic—a false bottom in a box containing 44 smartphones.

Simon Esunget, the acting Manager of Customs at Entebbe International Airport, praised the collaborative efforts of the airport teams, resulting in the collection of sh1.7 billion in taxes over 28 days, the highest monthly revenue ever recorded.

Passengers concealed phones among everyday items such as perfume boxes, flowers, shoes, clothing, motor vehicle spare parts, and electronic devices like car radios.

“URA is continuously adapting its technology and investing in automation to combat such illicit activities and ensure a fair marketplace for Ugandans,” stated Ibrahim Kibuuka Bbossa, URA Spokesperson.

Under Sections 200 and 203 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACMMA), individuals caught concealing goods may face up to five years in prison or a fine equivalent to half of the dutiable value of the items involved.