Uganda Revenue Authority has revealed that there has been a huge decline in cigarette smuggling in the year 2014/15 compared to 2013/14. The Supervisor Customs Enforcement- URA, Armstrong Turyakira, says since 2013 to date a total of 7.1 million sticks were impounded compared to 12.6 seized in 2008/09.

Turyakira attributes the reduction to the war in South Sudan and opening of new factory there, operation vigilance, and strategic cooperation at the regional level among others. He says the major smuggling routes are Southern Sudan, DRC and Kenya.

In addition, he noted that URA is putting in place efforts to fight the illicit trade and these include developing flexible anti-smuggling teams, enhance detection of any concealment of smuggled goods and attaching electronic deals on trucks with high value goods.

He said this during the World No Tobacco day held at the Ministry of Health headquarters